“The world isn’t perfect. But, it’s there for us, doing the best it can. And that’s what makes it so damn beautiful”. -Colonel Roy Mustang
For years, Japan has showcased a diverse range of entertainment to the world. Renowned directors like Akira Kurosawa, Takashi Miike, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and Takashi Kitano have left a significant mark on cinema. The country is also known for its quirky game shows such as Takeshi's Castle, Brain Wall, and Candy or Not Candy, along with sport-based entertainment like New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Pro-Wrestling Noah, Pride FC, and sumo wrestling. Additionally, musicians like the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Radwimps, Babymetal, and Atarashii Gakko have contributed to Japan’s rich cultural tapestry.
However, Japan is perhaps best known as the birthplace of anime, where it excels in visual storytelling and pushes the boundaries of narrative. In this context, it is important to recognize the visual storytellers and artists who have made a considerable impact on entertainment and pop culture. In this op-ed countdown, I will highlight some of the best among them.
11. Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Yoshiaki Kawajiri is a significant figure in the anime industry, widely recognized as a pioneer of “dark and edgier” content. His works often feature complex animation, detailed character designs, and a dark, gritty aesthetic that sets him apart from other anime directors. One of his notable works, Wicked City, is credited with opening the doors for more mature anime aimed at a wider audience, influencing subsequent generations of animators and directors. Additionally, Kawajiri is one of the co-founders of Madhouse, a renowned anime studio known for producing numerous critically and commercially acclaimed anime series and films. His other works include Lensman, The Running Man from Neo Tokyo, Ninja Scroll, Demon City Shinjuku, A Wind Named Amnesia, Cyber City Oedo 808, and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.
10. Katsuhiro Otomo
Katsuhiro is best known for his successful manga, Akira, which was later adapted into an animated film. The movie helped pave the way for the growth of anime and Japanese pop culture in the Western world, as well as influencing numerous works in animation, comics, films, video games, television, and music. For example, the famous “Akira Slide.” Akira has influenced modern sci-fi, and many films have borrowed from its themes and style. His other film works include Construction Cancellation Order from Neo Tokyo, Roujin Z, Memories Metropolis, and Steamboy.
9. Eiichi Yamamoto
Eiichi was a key collaborator with the Father of Manga, Osamu Tezuka, co-founder of Mushi Production, and directed several influential films: A Thousand and One Nights, Cleopatra, and Belladonna of Sadness, which also pushed the boundaries with their adult themes and artistic style. He also played a crucial role in developing the popular series, Space Battleship Yamato.
8. Mamoru Hosoda
Mamoru Hosoda is one of the best modern anime directors, renowned for his exceptional ability to seamlessly blend fantastical elements with deeply relatable human stories. He created emotionally resonant films that explore themes of coming-of-age, family, and personal growth. His works feature stunning animation and well-developed characters, making them truly remarkable in the field of animation. His works include The Girl Who Can Leap Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and The Beast, Mirai, and Belle.
7. Mamoru Oshii
Another important figure in the industry because of his deeply philosophical storytelling, visually captivating style, and ability to explore themes about the human condition through thought-provoking narratives. His works are best known as Angel’s Egg, Patlabor 1 and 2, Ghost In The Shell, and Jin-Oh: The Wolf Brigade.
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6. Makoto Shinkai
Shinaki made a name for himself with his highly acclaimed visual style, characterized by breathtaking animation, meticulous detail, and emotionally resonant stories that intertwine with themes of romance, science fiction, and fantasy that get the audience emotionally invested. His works are The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters per Second, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, The Garden of Words, Your Name, Weathering with You, and Suzume.
5. Masaaki Yuasa
Another great modern anime director who is known for his distinctive and highly creative animation style, often described as idiosyncratic, which set him apart in the anime industry. One of his films, Mind Game, and his show, Ping Pong: The Animation, blends surreal visuals with complex themes and captivating storytelling, resulting in his reputation as one of the most imaginative and influential anime directors of all time. His other works include Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, Lu Over the Wall, Inu-Oh, and The Tatami Galaxy, and he is the founder of Science Saru.
4.Shinichiro Watanabe
Shinichiro is considered a significant figure in the anime industry because he is widely recognized as a visionary director. He created well-known series like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, which blended diverse genres, mature themes, and impactful music into unique and captivating narratives, which established him as an auteur within Japanese animation. His other works include Kids on the Slope, Space Dandy, Terror In Resonance, and Carole & Tuesday.
3. Isao Takahata
One of my biggest regrets as an otaku is never watching Isao Takahata’s works when he was alive. When most people think of Studio Ghibli, they automatically think of Miyazaki. Isao was the co-founder of one of the most beloved animation studios and directed a few critically acclaimed films: Grave of the Fireflies and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. His works are known for their deep, complex stories, exploration of Japanese culture, and emotional impact, often tackling difficult themes with artistic finesse. His other works are Only Yesterday, Pom Poko, and My Neighbors The Yamadas.
2. Satoshi Kon
Another great anime director has gone too soon. Satoshi is considered to be one of the best anime directors of all time for his unique ability to blend surrealism with character-driven storytelling, creating visually stunning and thought-provoking films with themes of identity, reality, and subconscious, all while pushing boundaries of animation through innovative editing and visual techniques; his limited body of work includes Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paranoia Agent, and Paprika. Death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 46, but Satoshi Kon’s legacy will live on forever. Some of his influence inspired Nolan’s Inception and Aronofsky’s Black Swan.
1. Hayao Miyazaki
It was no no-brainer who was taking the number one spot. One of the best and most influential directors of all time and co-founder of the most beloved studios, Hayao Miyazaki is the “Japanese Walt Disney” His masterful blend of visually stunning hand-drawn animation, deeply moving stories that explore complex themes, a strong focus on environmentalism and nature, and ability to create intricate worlds that feels both fantastical and grounded in reality. His works, Spirited Away and The Boy and The Heron, both won Oscars for Best Animated Feature. A stubborn workaholic indeed, but there’s no denying the impact Miyazaki has made in the anime industry, cinema in general, and pop culture. His works include Lupin the 3rd, The Castle of Cagliostro, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle In The Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, and The Wind Rises.
To summarize, these anime directors and artists all made an impact on the anime industry and pop culture. If you have never heard of some of them, check out their works. Thank you for reading, and I hope the harsh conditions within the animation studios are one day demolished.
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