Kazuhiro Furuhashi
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese anime
director and supervisor, born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture
. He is amongst anime's most foremost directors, having directed and helmed the entire Rurouni Kenshin
series (including the original television series, and its subsequent much-lauded OVA iterations), the You're Under Arrest series, GetBackers
, Hunter x Hunter, Zipang
, Le Chevalier D'Eon
, Real Drive
and most recently, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
.
with the anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi
's Urusei Yatsura
and subsequently into episode direction and as a director with Studio Deen
's anime adaptation of another Rumiko Takahashi work, Ranma ½
. Furuhashi is particularly well-known for realistic portrayals and first person
views shown in his directorial and storyboard works and has obtained a good reputation as a director. Furuhashi has often collabored and supervised numerous extensive and high quality anime productions with animators Norio Matsumoto, Atsuko Nakajima
and Hirofumi Suzuki. Over the years, he has worked in numerous productions with Studio Deen
and began his directorial career with the studio.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
director and supervisor, born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
. He is amongst anime's most foremost directors, having directed and helmed the entire Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin
, also known as Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The fictional setting takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. The story is about a fictional assassin named Himura Kenshin, from the Bakumatsu who becomes a wanderer to...
series (including the original television series, and its subsequent much-lauded OVA iterations), the You're Under Arrest series, GetBackers
GetBackers
is a manga series written by Tadashi Agi and illustrated by Rando Ayamine. The series was serialized and is published by Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1999 until 2007, totaling 39 volumes. The plot follows the "GetBackers", a group that retrieves anything that was lost...
, Hunter x Hunter, Zipang
Zipang (manga)
is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Kaiji Kawaguchi. It was first serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine from 2000 until 2009, and published in 43 volumes. Its popularity has extended to middle schoolers who enjoy history...
, Le Chevalier D'Eon
Le Chevalier D'Eon
is a 24-episode anime TV series produced by Production I.G based on an original story by Tow Ubukata. The anime originally aired in Japan on WOWOW from August 19, 2006 to February 2, 2007. The story has also been adapted into a manga series written by Tow Ubukata and illustrated by Kiriko Yumeji,...
, Real Drive
Real Drive
is an anime TV series, created by Production I.G and Masamune Shirow. Real Drive is produced in collaboration with broadcaster Nippon Television , and premiered in Japan on NTV on 8 April 2008.-Storyline and setting:...
and most recently, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
is a novel by popular Japanese author Harutoshi Fukui . The novel takes place in Gundam's Universal Century timeline. Character and mechanical designs are provided by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and Hajime Katoki, respectively...
.
Early career and biography
He began his career as an animatorAnimator
An animator is an artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, video games, and the internet. Usually, an...
with the anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi
Rumiko Takahashi
is a Japanese manga artist.Takahashi is one of the wealthiest individuals, and the most affluent manga artists in Japan. The manga she creates are popular worldwide, where they have been translated into a variety of languages...
's Urusei Yatsura
Urusei Yatsura
is a comedic manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi that premiered in Weekly Shōnen Sunday in 1978 and ran until its conclusion in 1987. Its 374 individual chapters were collected and published in 34 tankōbon volumes. The series tells the story of Ataru Moroboshi, and the alien...
and subsequently into episode direction and as a director with Studio Deen
Studio DEEN
is a Japanese company that produces anime. Three years after Sunrise was founded in 1972, Studio Deen was established by Sunrise's members in 1975. As a result of this, anime shows such as Cowboy Bebop that were produced by Sunrise may have had assistance from Studio Deen.-Produced anime:* Urusei...
's anime adaptation of another Rumiko Takahashi work, Ranma ½
Ranma ½
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi with an anime adaptation. The story revolves around a 16-year old boy named Ranma Saotome who was trained from early childhood in martial arts...
. Furuhashi is particularly well-known for realistic portrayals and first person
First-person narrative
First-person point of view is a narrative mode where a story is narrated by one character at a time, speaking for and about themselves. First-person narrative may be singular, plural or multiple as well as being an authoritative, reliable or deceptive "voice" and represents point of view in the...
views shown in his directorial and storyboard works and has obtained a good reputation as a director. Furuhashi has often collabored and supervised numerous extensive and high quality anime productions with animators Norio Matsumoto, Atsuko Nakajima
Atsuko Nakajima
is a Japanese animator, character designer, and illustrator. She is married to anime director and animator Tomohiro Hirata, with whom she also collaborated in the Trinity Blood anime .Ms...
and Hirofumi Suzuki. Over the years, he has worked in numerous productions with Studio Deen
Studio DEEN
is a Japanese company that produces anime. Three years after Sunrise was founded in 1972, Studio Deen was established by Sunrise's members in 1975. As a result of this, anime shows such as Cowboy Bebop that were produced by Sunrise may have had assistance from Studio Deen.-Produced anime:* Urusei...
and began his directorial career with the studio.
TV anime
- Urusei YatsuraUrusei Yatsurais a comedic manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi that premiered in Weekly Shōnen Sunday in 1978 and ran until its conclusion in 1987. Its 374 individual chapters were collected and published in 34 tankōbon volumes. The series tells the story of Ataru Moroboshi, and the alien...
(1981–1986; animation director) - Maison IkkokuMaison Ikkokuis a Japanese seinen manga written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi and serialized in the manga magazine Big Comic Spirits from 1980 through 1987. Maison Ikkoku is a bitter-sweet comedic romance involving a group of madcap people who live in a boarding house in 1980s Tokyo...
(1986–1988; key animation) - F (1988; key animation)
- Ranma ½ (first series and nettō-hen)Ranma ½is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi with an anime adaptation. The story revolves around a 16-year old boy named Ranma Saotome who was trained from early childhood in martial arts...
(1989; storyboards, episode direction) - Super Zugan (1994; ending animation)
- Battle Fighters: Garō DensetsuFatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolfis an animated TV Special based on the fighting game Fatal Fury. It originally aired on Fuji TV on December 23, 1992. The movie was directed by Hiroshi Fukutomi and features character designs by Masami Ōbari...
(1992; storyboards, episode direction) - Battle Fighters: Garō Densetsu 2Fatal Fury 2: The New Battleis an anime TV Special based on the Neo Geo SNK video game, Fatal Fury 2 and is a sequel to the previous TV movie, Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf. The movie was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and once again features character designs by Masami Ōbari...
(1993; director, episode direction) - Kuma no Pūtarō (1995–1996; storyboards)
- Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkyaku RōmantanRurouni Kenshin, also known as Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The fictional setting takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. The story is about a fictional assassin named Himura Kenshin, from the Bakumatsu who becomes a wanderer to...
(1996–1997; director, storyboards, episode direction) - Hunter x Hunter (1999–2001; director)
- GetBackers: Dakkan'yaGetBackersis a manga series written by Tadashi Agi and illustrated by Rando Ayamine. The series was serialized and is published by Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1999 until 2007, totaling 39 volumes. The plot follows the "GetBackers", a group that retrieves anything that was lost...
(2002–2003; director, storyboards) - direction assistance by Keitarō Motonaga - Gunslinger GirlGunslinger GirlGunslinger Girl is an ongoing manga by Yu Aida. It first premiered in the November 2002 issue of the monthly shōnen magazine Dengeki Daioh. The chapters are also being published in tankōbon volumes by ASCII Media Works. 13 volumes have been released in Japan as of April 2011...
(2004; storyboards of episode 12) - GenshikenGenshikenis a manga series by Shimoku Kio about a college club for otaku and the lifestyle its members pursue. The title is a shortening of the club's official name, , or "The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture". The series has also been adapted into an anime directed by Tsutomu Mizushima...
(2004; storyboards of episodes 2 and 4) - Maria-sama ga MiteruMaria-sama ga Miteru, often shortened to , is a series of Japanese light novels written by Oyuki Konno and illustrated by Reine Hibiki. The series focuses on a group of teenage girls attending Lillian Catholic school for girls in Tokyo, Japan. Its storyline largely revolves around the lives and close relationships of...
(2004; storyboards) - Maria-sama ga Miteru ~Haru~Maria-sama ga Miteru, often shortened to , is a series of Japanese light novels written by Oyuki Konno and illustrated by Reine Hibiki. The series focuses on a group of teenage girls attending Lillian Catholic school for girls in Tokyo, Japan. Its storyline largely revolves around the lives and close relationships of...
(2004; storyboards, episode direction) - Kyō Kara Maō!Kyo Kara Maoh!, is a series of Japanese light novels written by Tomo Takabayashi and illustrated by Temari Matsumoto. The first light novel was published in 2000 by Kadokawa Shoten and to date 22 novels have been released...
(2004; key animation of episode 2) - ZipangZipang (manga)is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Kaiji Kawaguchi. It was first serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine from 2000 until 2009, and published in 43 volumes. Its popularity has extended to middle schoolers who enjoy history...
(2004–2005; director, screenplay) - Noein: Mō Hitori no Kimi eNoein, also known simply as Noein, is a science fiction anime television series directed by Kazuki Akane and Kenji Yasuda and produced by Satelight...
(2005–2006; storyboards of episode 12) - Binchō-tanBincho-tanBinchō-tan or white charcoal or binchō-zumi is a traditional charcoal of Japan. It dates to the Edo period, when during the Genroku era, a craftsman named Bitchū-ya Chōzaemon began to produce it in Tanabe, Wakayama. The raw material is oak, specifically ubame oak , now the official tree of...
(2006; director, series composition, screenplay, storbyoards, episode director, direction and storyboards of OP and ED) - Le Chevalier D'EonLe Chevalier D'Eonis a 24-episode anime TV series produced by Production I.G based on an original story by Tow Ubukata. The anime originally aired in Japan on WOWOW from August 19, 2006 to February 2, 2007. The story has also been adapted into a manga series written by Tow Ubukata and illustrated by Kiriko Yumeji,...
(2006–2007; director, storyboards, episode direction) - Mo No No Ke (2007; storyboards)
- Darker than Black: Kuro no KeiyakushaDarker than Blackis an anime television series, created, directed and written by Tensai Okamura and animated by Bones. It premiered across Japan from April 5, 2007 on MBS, TBS, and its affiliated broadcast stations, with its satellite television premiere in Japan on Animax in May 2007. The music for the series is...
(2007, storyboards of second opening theme) - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni KaiHigurashi no Naku Koro ni, known simply as When They Cry for the North American release of the anime adaptation, is a Japanese murder mystery dōjin soft sound novel series produced by 07th Expansion. The games are built on the NScripter game engine and are playable on Microsoft Windows PCs...
(2007; storyboards of episode 13) - Real DriveReal Driveis an anime TV series, created by Production I.G and Masamune Shirow. Real Drive is produced in collaboration with broadcaster Nippon Television , and premiered in Japan on NTV on 8 April 2008.-Storyline and setting:...
(2008; director, storyboards, episode direction, OP direction) - AmatsukiAmatsukiis an ongoing manga series by Shinobu Takayama, serialized in Monthly Comic Zero Sum. A 13 episode anime adaption produced by Studio Deen premiered on April 4, 2008.-Plot:...
(2008; director, series composition, screenplay, storyboards of episode 1, key animation of episode 13) - Kimi ni TodokeKimi ni Todokeis a romance shōjo manga by . It has been published by Shueisha in Bessatsu Margaret since 2005 and collected in 14 tankōbon volumes as of September 2011. In 2008, it won the Best Shōjo Manga award in the 32nd Annual Kodansha Manga Award. The series was also nominated for the first Manga Taisho...
(2009; storyboard of episode 6)
OVA
- Chōjin Locke: Lord ReonLocke the Supermanis a manga series by Yuki Hijiri which was later adapted into a movie and three OVA releases. It was given an obscure video release in the United States as Locke the Superpower Ten volumes were published in Poland under the tile Locke Superczłowiek....
(1989; storyboards) - Ranma ½: Nettō UtagassenRanma ½is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi with an anime adaptation. The story revolves around a 16-year old boy named Ranma Saotome who was trained from early childhood in martial arts...
(1990; director) - Ranma ½: Kessen Tōgenkyō! Hanayome wo Torimodose!!Ranma ½is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi with an anime adaptation. The story revolves around a 16-year old boy named Ranma Saotome who was trained from early childhood in martial arts...
(1992; director) - Taiho Shichauzo (1994–1995; director, storyboards, episode direction)
- Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkyaku Rōmantan: Tsuioku-henSamurai X: Trust & BetrayalRurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal, known in Japan as , is an OVA series that serves as a prequel to the Rurouni Kenshin anime television series. It was released in Japan in 1999, and was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and written by Masashi Sogo....
(1999; director) - Reinō Tantei Miko (2000; director, storyboards)
- Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkyaku Rōmantan: Seisō-henSamurai X: ReflectionRurouni Kenshin: Reflection, known as in Japan, is the second OVA series of the Rurouni Kenshin anime television series, acting as its sequel...
(2001; director) - Mobile Suit Gundam UnicornMobile Suit Gundam Unicornis a novel by popular Japanese author Harutoshi Fukui . The novel takes place in Gundam's Universal Century timeline. Character and mechanical designs are provided by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and Hajime Katoki, respectively...
(2010-; director)
Games
- Tales of RebirthTales of Rebirthis the sixth mothership title in Namco's Tales RPG series. It was released on December 16, 2004 in Japan for the Sony PlayStation 2. Tales of Rebirth's characteristic genre name is . Tales of Rebirth has an anime introductory video accompanied by the song Good Night by Every Little Thing. Notably,...
(2004; director, storyboards and direction of game OP movie) - Tales of the AbyssTales of the Abyssis a console role-playing game developed by Namco Tales Studio and published by Namco in Japan and Namco Bandai Games in North America. Tales of the Abyss's characteristic genre name is The Meaning Of Birth RPG . It is the eighth mothership title in the Tales series, and was released for the...
(2005; director and storyboards of game OP movie)