is the pseudonym of , a well-known director of
anime. He works frequently with the animation studio
Madhouse (which he co-founded), though he is a
freelance director not employed directly by any one studio. He began working in the animation industry—at age 17—as an in-between animator on the 1958 film
Hakujaden. His works have won and been nominated for multiple awards, including a nomination for Best Film (
Metropolis) at the 2001
Festival de Cine de Sitges.