Shoji Kawamori
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese anime
creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
, The Vision of Escaflowne
, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion
, Macross 7
, and Macross Frontier
. He is currently executive director at the animation studio Satelight
. His projects are usually noted to contain strong themes of love
, war
, spirituality
or mysticism
, and ecological concern. He attended Keio University
in the same years as Macross screenwriter Hiroshi Ōnogi
and character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto
. He occasionally used the alias Eiji Kurokawa (黒河影次 Kurokawa Eiji) early in his career when he started as a member of Studio Nue
.
designer — projects featuring his designs range from 1983's Crusher Joe
to 2005's Eureka Seven
. Also, each and every variable fighter
from the official Macross
series continuity has been designed by him.
In 2001, he brought his mecha design talent to real-life projects when he designed a variant of the Sony
AIBO
robotic dog
, the ERS-220. http://www.eet.com/story/OEG20011108S0066 Kawamori also helped to design various toys for the Takara
toyline Diaclone
in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, many of which were later incorporated into Hasbro
's Transformers
toyline.
Kawamori helped to create several of the original Transformers: Generation 1
toys. Among them the first Optimus Prime ("Convoy") toy design, Prowl
, Bluestreak, Smokescreen
, Ironhide
and Ratchet
. Over 20 years later, he returned to Transformers by designing both the Hybrid Style Convoy and the Masterpiece version of Starscream
for Takara
.
Note: Macross II is the only animated Macross project in which Kawamori had no involvement.
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....
creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, having created or co-created such notable series as The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
The Super Dimension Fortress Macross
is an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
, The Vision of Escaflowne
The Vision of Escaflowne
is a 26-episode Japanese anime television series produced by Sunrise Studios and directed by Kazuki Akane. It premiered in Japan on April 2, 1996 on TV Tokyo, with the final episode airing on September 24, 1996. Sony's anime satellite channel, Animax also aired the series, both in Japan and on its...
, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion
Genesis of Aquarion
is an anime TV series written and directed by Shoji Kawamori, produced by Satelight.The science fiction series is a homage to the Super Robot shows of the 1970s and 1980s, executed with modern animation techniques and aesthetics...
, Macross 7
Macross 7
is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show The Super Dimension Fortress Macross that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1994 to September 24, 1995 at 11:00 AM, and 49 episodes were aired...
, and Macross Frontier
Macross Frontier
is a Japanese animated science fiction space drama that aired in Japan on MBS from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, premiered Japan on MBS on April 3, 2008...
. He is currently executive director at the animation studio Satelight
Satelight
is a Japanese animation studio.-History:The studio was founded on December 1995, in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, their first project being Bit the Cupid, the world's first fully digitally-animated television series. The name Satelight consists of S for Sapporo, A for Animate, T for Technology and E for...
. His projects are usually noted to contain strong themes of love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
, war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
or mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
, and ecological concern. He attended Keio University
Keio University
,abbreviated as Keio or Keidai , is a Japanese university located in Minato, Tokyo. It is known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. Founder Fukuzawa Yukichi originally established it as a school for Western studies in 1858 in Edo . It has eleven campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa...
in the same years as Macross screenwriter Hiroshi Ōnogi
Hiroshi Onogi
is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions.Ōnogi attended Keio University in the same years as Macross character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto and creator Shōji Kawamori, both of whom he would first collaborate with in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross.- Filmography :*...
and character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto
Haruhiko Mikimoto
is a Japanese anime character designer, illustrator and manga artist. Mostly active during the 1980s, during that decade he rose to promience and is considered one of the top character designers of his time....
. He occasionally used the alias Eiji Kurokawa (黒河影次 Kurokawa Eiji) early in his career when he started as a member of Studio Nue
Studio Nue
Studio Nue is a Japanese design studio formed in 1972 by Naoyuki Kato, Kenichi Matsuzaki, Kazutaka Miyatake, and Haruka Takachiho...
.
Mechanical Design
Shoji Kawamori is also an accomplished mechaMecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
designer — projects featuring his designs range from 1983's Crusher Joe
Crusher Joe
is a series of science fiction light novels by Haruka Takachiho and released by Asahi Sonorama from 1979 to 1983. During the late 1970s one of the founding fathers of Studio Nue, Takachiho decided that besides being a designer he would try his hand at penning novels...
to 2005's Eureka Seven
Eureka Seven
Eureka Seven, known in Japan as , is a mecha anime TV series by Bones. Eureka Seven tells the story of Renton Thurston and the outlaw group Gekkostate, his relationship with the enigmatic mecha pilot Eureka, and the mystery of the Coralians....
. Also, each and every variable fighter
Variable fighter
A Variable Fighter is a series of fictional transforming aerospace fighter mecha primarily designed by Studio Nue's Shoji Kawamori for the animated series The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and later related projects...
from the official Macross
Macross
is a series of science fiction mecha anime, directed by Shōji Kawamori of Studio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. It consists of three TV series, four movies, six OVAs, one light novel and five manga series, all sponsored by Big West...
series continuity has been designed by him.
In 2001, he brought his mecha design talent to real-life projects when he designed a variant of the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
AIBO
AIBO
AIBO was one of several types of robotic pets designed and manufactured by Sony...
robotic dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
, the ERS-220. http://www.eet.com/story/OEG20011108S0066 Kawamori also helped to design various toys for the Takara
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
toyline Diaclone
Diaclone
Diaclone was a toyline by Takara Toys launched in 1980. It consisted of transforming vehicles and robots piloted by miniature, magnet-shoed figures spun off from the prior Microman toy line that were in turn called an Inch-Man....
in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, many of which were later incorporated into Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
's Transformers
Transformers (toy line)
The is a line of toys produced by the American toy company Hasbro. The Transformers toyline was created from toy molds mostly produced by Japanese company Takara in the toylines Diaclone and Microman. Other toy molds from other companies such as Bandai were used as well...
toyline.
Kawamori helped to create several of the original Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers: Generation 1 was the original Transformers toy line that produced from 1985 to 1992 and actually lasted longer than the G1 1980s television series itself...
toys. Among them the first Optimus Prime ("Convoy") toy design, Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
, Bluestreak, Smokescreen
Smokescreen (Transformers)
Smokescreen is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Smokescreen is one of the second year Autobot Cars in the Transformers series. His toy was remolded from Prowl and Bluestreak, itself originating from an earlier Japanese line...
, Ironhide
Ironhide
Ironhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...
. Over 20 years later, he returned to Transformers by designing both the Hybrid Style Convoy and the Masterpiece version of Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
for Takara
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
.
Macross
- The Super Dimension Fortress MacrossThe Super Dimension Fortress Macrossis an anime television series. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war....
- Original Series Concept Creator, Production Supervisor, Mechanical Design - Macross: Do You Remember Love? - Movie Concept Creator, Director, Mechanical Design, Series Script Supervisor, Movie Story
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012is a 1987 collection of music videos from the The Super Dimension Fortress Macross animated television series and the Macross: Do You Remember Love? theatrical film remake...
- Executive Director, Compilation, Mechanical Design - Macross PlusMacross Plusis a four-episode anime OVA and theatrical movie in the Macross series. It was the first sequel to the original Macross television series that took place in the official timeline...
- Creator, Executive Director, Writer, Mechanical Design - Macross 7Macross 7is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show The Super Dimension Fortress Macross that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1994 to September 24, 1995 at 11:00 AM, and 49 episodes were aired...
- Creator, Writer, Supervisor, Mechanical Designer - Macross Dynamite 7Macross Dynamite 7is an anime OVA set one year after the events in Macross 7. Released in 1997 in celebration of Macross' 15th anniversary, Macross Dynamite 7 was a four episode OVA that continued the Macross 7 series' story.-Synopsis:...
- Creator, Series Script Supervisor, Mechanical Designer, Ending Photography - Macross ZeroMacross Zerois an anime prequel OVA to The Super Dimension Fortress Macross released for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Macross franchise during 2002 in Japan...
- Creator, Director, Writer, Mechanical Designer - Macross FrontierMacross Frontieris a Japanese animated science fiction space drama that aired in Japan on MBS from April 3, 2008 to September 25, 2008. It is the most recent Japanese anime television series set in the Macross universe. Animated by Satelight, premiered Japan on MBS on April 3, 2008...
- Creator, Supervising Director, Story Composition
Note: Macross II is the only animated Macross project in which Kawamori had no involvement.
Other anime
- Space Battleship YamatoSpace Battleship Yamatois a Japanese science fiction anime series featuring an eponymous spacecraft. It is also known to English-speaking audiences as Space Cruiser Yamato; an English-dubbed and heavily edited version of the series was broadcast on North American and Australian television as Star Blazers...
series - Spaceship Mechanical Design (Uncredited) - Future GPX Cyber FormulaFuture GPX Cyber Formulais a 37-episode anime television series by Sunrise . It originally aired in Japan between March 15, 1991 and December 20, 1991. It was then followed by 4 more OVA sequels, making it one of longest running original anime franchises that was not originated from a manga or novel...
series - Machine Design - The Vision of EscaflowneThe Vision of Escaflowneis a 26-episode Japanese anime television series produced by Sunrise Studios and directed by Kazuki Akane. It premiered in Japan on April 2, 1996 on TV Tokyo, with the final episode airing on September 24, 1996. Sony's anime satellite channel, Animax also aired the series, both in Japan and on its...
- Original Creator, Series Script Supervisor - Escaflowne: A Girl in GaeaEscaflowne (film)is an anime film produced by Sunrise and animated by Studio BONES. Directed by Kazuki Akane, the film is a re-telling of the twenty-six episode anime television series The Vision of Escaflowne...
- Original Creator - Spring and ChaosSpring and Chaosis a television anime special inspired by the life of poet Kenji Miyazawa, released in Japan in 1996 to mark the 100th anniversary of Miyazawa's birth. It was directed by Shoji Kawamori. It was released in North America by Tokyopop...
- Director, Screenplay - Earth Maiden Arjuna - Original Creator, Director, Series Script Supervisor
- The Family's Defensive AllianceThe Family's Defensive Allianceis an anime series, created and written by Shōji Kawamori and directed by Tetsu Kimura. The series premiered in Japan on WOWOW between January 9, 2001 and March 29, 2001, spanning a total of 13 episodes...
- Original Creator, Series Planner - Genesis of AquarionGenesis of Aquarionis an anime TV series written and directed by Shoji Kawamori, produced by Satelight.The science fiction series is a homage to the Super Robot shows of the 1970s and 1980s, executed with modern animation techniques and aesthetics...
- Original Creator, Director, Series Script Supervisor, Aquarion Design - Patlabor: The Movie - Mechanical Design (Credited as Masaharu Kawamori)
- Patlabor 2: The Movie - Mechanical Design (Credited as Masaharu Kawamori)
- Eureka SevenEureka SevenEureka Seven, known in Japan as , is a mecha anime TV series by Bones. Eureka Seven tells the story of Renton Thurston and the outlaw group Gekkostate, his relationship with the enigmatic mecha pilot Eureka, and the mystery of the Coralians....
- Main Mechanic Design - Engage Planet Kiss DumEngage Planet Kiss Dumis a mecha anime series, directed by Yasuchika Nagaoka and Eiichi Satō, and produced by Aniplex and Satelight. It premiered in Japan from April 3, 2007 on TV Tokyo.-Storyline:...
- Main Mechanical Design - Kishin Taisen Gigantic FormulaKishin Taisen Gigantic Formula, also known as Apo Mekhanes Theos Gigantic Formula, is a Japanese anime series that aired in Japan. The show was first aired April 4, 2007 by TV Tokyo, and ended its run on September 26, 2007. A manga adaptation by Shōhei Oka was serialized concurrently in Dengeki Daioh.-Overview:The series is set...
- Mechanical designer (Junova-VIII) - Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust MemoryMobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memoryis a 13-episode anime OVA series set in the Gundam universe. The first volume containing two 30-minute episodes was released in Japan on May 23, 1991. Subsequent volumes, containing one 30-minute episode each, followed every one or two months; the final volume went on sale on September 24, 1992...
- Designed the RX-78GP01 "Zephyranthes" and the RX-78GP02A "Physalis" Gundams - Ulysses 31Ulysses 31is a Franco-Japanese animated television series that updates the Greek mythology of Odysseus to the 31st century. The show comprised 26 half-hour episodes and was produced by DIC Audiovisuel in conjunction with anime studio Tokyo Movie Shinsha...
- Mechanical Design - DangaiohDangaiohis an anime OVA series produced by Anime International Company studios and released in Japan in 1987. Dangaioh featured character designs by creator Toshiki Hirano, mechanical designs by Shoji Kawamori, and animation direction by Masami Ōbari.-Plot:...
- Mechanical Design, key animation - Ghost in the ShellGhost in the Shell (film)"See You Everyday" is different from the rest of the soundtrack, being a pop song sung in Cantonese by Fang Ka Wing. It can be faintly heard playing in the marketplace scene, when Batou is hunting the ghost-hacked puppet....
- Mechanical Design - Basquash!Basquash!is a sports and sci-fi anime which aired on Mainichi Broadcasting System. It involves characters playing basketball while riding mecha. The series premise was created by Thomas Romain and Shoji Kawamori, with the animation produced by Satelight. Shoji Kawamori is handling the project direction,...
- Original Concept, Project Director - Outlaw StarOutlaw Staris a seinen manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Itō and his affiliated Morning Star Studio. The series is a space opera/Space Western that takes place in the "Toward Stars Era" universe in which spacecraft are capable of traveling faster than the speed of light...
- Designed the ship XGP15A-II - Tosho Daimos - Guest Mechanical Designer
- Gordian WarriorGordian Warriorwas a popular anime series aired in 1979 to 1981 in Japan. There were 73 episodes aired at 30 minutes each. It is also referred to as Champion of Gordian or Gardian.-Original Story:...
- Guest Mechanical Designer - Golden Warrior Gold LightanGolden Warrior Gold Lightanis a popular anime series that aired in 1981 to 1982 in Japan and Hong Kong. There are 52 episodes that were aired at 30 minutes each.-Original story:...
- Guest Mechanical Designer - Anyamaru Tantei KiruminzuuAnyamaru Tantei Kiruminzuuis a Japanese Magical Comedy anime series created by Shōji Kawamori. It is one of Kawamori's most recent work in collaboration with Hal Film Maker and JM Animation, making it Kawamori's first Shōjo title. Animated by Satelight, the series premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo on October 5, 2009...
- Original Creator
Video games
- Ace Combat Assault Horizon - Guest Designer
- Armored Core: Project PhantasmaArmored Core: Project PhantasmaArmored Core: Project Phantasma is a 1997 video game for the Sony PlayStation. It is part of the Armored Core series. The storyline follows the original Armored Core.-Storyline:A Raven operating out of Isaac City receives an unusual request...
- Mechanic Designer - Armored Core: Master of ArenaArmored Core: Master of ArenaArmored Core: Master of Arena is a PlayStation video game. It is part of the Armored Core series. Master of Arena is the last Armored Core game to appear on the original PlayStation.-Storyline:...
- Mechanic Designer - Armored Core 2Armored Core 2Armored Core 2 is a Mecha video game in the Armored Core series, and a launch title for the PlayStation 2 in North America.Armored Core 2 represents the first major graphical overhaul for the series; while the three PlayStation-era games used the same engine with few changes between entries,...
- Mechanic Concept Designer - Armored Core 2: Another AgeArmored Core 2: Another AgeArmored Core 2: Another Age is a mecha video game in the Armored Core series.Another Age is the last entry in the series to be set in the universe of the original Armored Core.-Storyline:...
- Mechanic Concept Designer - Armored Core 3Armored Core 3Armored Core 3 is a mecha video game in the Armored Core series.-Storyline:Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Armored Core 3 depicts a world where mankind has begun to live underneath the Earth's surface after a catastrophic global nuclear war broke out on the surface. The human beings who survived...
- Mechanic Concept Designer - Silent Line: Armored CoreSilent Line: Armored CoreSilent Line: Armored Core is a mecha video game in the Armored Core series.-Summary:Following the destruction of the machine-run society of Layered at the hands of a Raven, mankind has slowly begun the process of returning to the surface and repopulating the face of the globe...
- Guest Designer - Armored Core: NexusArmored Core: NexusArmored Core: Nexus is a mecha video game in the Armored Core series. It is the sequel to Silent Line: Armored Core.-Storyline:Years have passed since the incident at the Silent Line, and with it the collaborative effort began by the Corporations in response to it is long gone. The battle between...
- Mechanic Concept Designer - Armored Core: For AnswerArmored Core: for AnswerArmored Core: For Answer is a 2008 3D mecha-based video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 developed by From Software and published by From Software in Japan and Ubisoft internationally. It is the 13th installment of From Software's Armored Core series. Armored Core: For Answer is the sequel...
- Mechanic Concept Designer - Eureka Seven vol.1: New WaveEureka Seven vol.1: New WaveEureka Seven vol. 1: The New Wave is the first in a trio of games set in the Eureka Seven anime world. It was developed by Bandai, and released in Japan on October 27, 2005. It was released in North America on October 17 2006. A direct sequel, Eureka Seven vol. 2: The New Vision, was released in 2006...
- Main Mechanical Designer - Eureka Seven vol. 2: The New Vision - Main Mechanical Designer
- Omega BoostOmega BoostOmega Boost is a three dimensional shoot 'em up developed by Polyphony Digital for the Sony PlayStation.In the game, players take control of the Omega Boost, a giant robot. The player is charged with travelling back in time to stop an artificial intelligence called Alpha Core from altering ENIAC,...
- Mechanical Design Advisor, Supervisor, Mechanical/Costume Designer, Opening/Ending Movie Director - Tech RomancerTech Romanceris a 1998 3D fighting arcade game by Capcom that draws heavily from the various sub-genres of Mecha anime. It has been ported to the Dreamcast console. The player controls a giant robot which is used to fight another robot in one-on-one combat...
- Mechanical Design, Original Concept