Hiroyuki IMAISHI
今石 洋之
Family name (in kanji):
今石
Given name (in kanji):
洋之
Date of birth:
1971年10月04日
Hometown:
Tokyo, Japan
Chronology:
(1995) Starts out his animation career by joining GAINAX and working on Neon Genesis Evangelion as an in-betweener
(2004) Makes his directorial debut with Dead Leaves
(2011) Leaves GAINAX to found Trigger with Masahiko Otsuka and Kazuya Masumoto
Favorites:
American Adult Animation
Animator: Hideki Tamura
Animator: Hiroyuki Okiura
Animator: Ichiro Itano
Animator: Masahito Yamashita
Animator: Masami Obari
Animator: Mitsuo Iso
Animator: Peter Chung
Animator: Satoru Utsunomiya
Animator: Shinsaku Kozuma
Animator: Takeshi Koike
Animator: Toshiyuki Inoue
Animator: Yoshinori Kanada
Film Directors: John Woo, Robert Rodriguez and Stephen Sommers
Web Diary / Blog:
Hiroyuki Imaishi (shiimai) @ Twitter (Japanese)
Non-anime staff credits:
Director: Opening Animation for "Musashi: Samurai Legend" (VG) (Japanese)
Illustrator: Animated Movies for "Tales of Symphonia" (VG) (Japanese)
Original Artist: Opening Movie for "Wild Arms 3" (VG) (Japanese)
News: Show:
Scotland Loves Anime Screenings Begin in Friday at Glasgow (Oct 29, 2025)
Studio Trigger Announces Gridman Helmer Akira Amemiya's 'The Lenticulars' Project on Halloween (Oct 25, 2025)
Anime Limited Home Release Updates (Oct 1, 2025)
Scotland Loves Anime Glasgow Screening Times Confirmed (Sep 16, 2025)
Anime Limited Announces New U.K. Home Releases Including Cyberpunk Edgerunners and DanDaDan (Jul 3, 2025)
Promare Will Have London Screening on Wednesday (Jun 19, 2023)
All-Night Anime Screening in London on June 17 (May 4, 2023)
More Ghibliotheque Events Announced (Jan 13, 2023)
Welsh Kotatsu Festival Line-Up Confirmed (Sep 8, 2021)
Promare Blu-ray Steelbook Released on August 9 (Jun 22, 2021)
Crunchyroll Launching Movie Programme in U.K and Ireland (Apr 19, 2021)
Promare Released Monday (Jun 28, 2020)
Promare Home Release Details (May 9, 2020)
Anime Boston to Host Studio Trigger's Hiroyuki Imaishi, Hiromi Wakabayashi, Shigeto Koyama (Feb 13, 2020)
Promare Home Release on June 1 (Feb 10, 2020)
Scotland Loves Anime Screenings in Aberdeen in January (Jan 7, 2020)
Promare Screenings Listed for Today and Tomorrow (Dec 4, 2019)
Promare U.K. Cinema Screenings Next Week (Nov 20, 2019)
Leeds Screening Promare Among Anime on November 17 (Oct 12, 2019)
Promare Will Have Limited Cinema Release November 26 and 28 (Oct 11, 2019)
Free Hiroyuki Imaishi Talk in Edinburgh on October 18 (Oct 1, 2019)
Scotland Loves Anime 2019 Line-up and Tickets Available (Sep 4, 2019)
Pigtails Collection and Arslan S2 Released Monday (Mar 24, 2019)
Kill la Kill and Gurren Lagann Return to Netflix (May 10, 2016)
Anime Expo to Host Visual Art's/Key Artist Itaru Hinoue (Jun 12, 2015)
Little Witch Academia 2 to Premiere at Anime Expo With Guests Hiroyuki Imaishi, Yoh Yoshinari (Jun 3, 2015)
16th Animator Expo Short is Suda51's 'Tsukikage no Tokio' (Mar 30, 2015)
15th Animator Expo Short 'Obake-chan' Streamed (Mar 29, 2015)
15th Animator Expo Short is Shigeto Koyama's 'Obake-chan' (Mar 23, 2015)
Ninja Slayer Anime's Promo Video Previews Scenario (Mar 21, 2015)
Boris to Perform 1st Ninja Slayer Episode's Ending (Mar 20, 2015)
13th Animator Expo Short 'Kanón' Streamed (Mar 15, 2015)
Cannon Busters Animation Project Meets Its Kickstarter Goal (Nov 28, 2014)
Giovanni's Island Film Wins Media Arts Award (Nov 28, 2014)
Kill la Kill and One Piece Released Monday (Nov 2, 2014)
Right Stuf Continues Kill la Kill Soundtrack Preorders (Dec 28, 2013)
GARNiDELiA Duo to Perform Kill La Kill Anime's New Opening (Dec 12, 2013)
Kill La Kill Tops PS3's Torne DVR Rankings in Tokyo (Nov 17, 2013)
Inferno Cop Sequel 'Seems' to Be Announced (Oct 14, 2013)
Kill La Kill's 30-Second 1st Episode Preview Streamed (Sep 28, 2013)
Kill la Kill Anime's Full Main Cast Revealed (Sep 7, 2013)
Kill la Kill Anime's New Ad Previews Eir Aoi's Song (Aug 29, 2013)
Aniplex USA Adds Kill La Kill TV Anime (Aug 10, 2013)
Anime Limited Acquires Gurren Lagann for Blu-ray and DVD (Jun 24, 2013)
Masahiko Otsuka, Head of Studio Trigger, Goes to Anime Expo (May 25, 2013)
Gurren Lagann Staffers Stream Kill la Kill's 1st Ad (May 11, 2013)
Black Rock Shooter TV Anime's 3rd Promo Video Streamed (Dec 29, 2011)
Black Rock Shooter TV Staff Revealed in New Promo Video (Nov 3, 2011)
Trigger, Gurren Lagann's Shibata, Sushio Make Idolm@ster #17 (Oct 24, 2011)
Anime/Manga/Game Industry Members Check In After Quake (Mar 11, 2011)
Anime/Manga/Game Events Cancelled After March 11 Quake (Mar 11, 2011)
Japan's Anime Style Print Mag Returns After 11 Years (Jan 3, 2011)
Gainax's Newest Is Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (May 6, 2010)
Gurren Lagann's Director, Designers on New Gainax Work (May 5, 2010)
1st Gurren Lagann Film at San Francisco in September (Jul 17, 2009)
1st Gurren Lagann Film's Subbed U.S. Premiere at AX (Jun 4, 2009)
Gurren Lagann's Director, Designer Go to Anime Expo (May 26, 2009)
Japanese Box Office, September 6–7: 20th C. Boys at #1 (Sep 15, 2008)
Code Geass, Gurren Lagann, Gintama USB Drives in Japan (Aug 13, 2008)
Gurren Lagann Listed on America's Sci Fi Channel on July 28 (May 19, 2008)
Japan's Gurren Lagann Movie Site Launches with Video (May 2, 2008)
Shoko Nakagawa to Sing Gurren Lagann Movie Theme (Mar 29, 2008)
Gurren Lagann Movie to Open in Japan in Fall 2008 (Mar 10, 2008)
Coo, Gurren-Lagann, 'Kafka' Win Media Arts Awards (Dec 4, 2007)
Ghibli's Takahata, Paprika, Geass Win Anime Kobe Awards (Sep 27, 2007)
Production I.G Anime Promoted Japanese Indycar Race (Mar 2, 2005)
Convention report:
Anime Expo 2019: Promare Premiere with Studio Trigger (Jul 10, 2019)
Interest:
Interview:
Press Releases:
Director Hiroyuki Imaishi to Appear at Otakon (May 23, 2019)
Other articles: Show:
The List - The Top 5 Studio Trigger Anime (Sep 15, 2019)
The Indestructible Studio Gainax: Part IV (Mar 9, 2018)
Anime Spotlight - Ninja Slayer From Animation (Apr 3, 2015)
The List - 8 Most Visually Striking Anime Productions (Sep 8, 2012)
Winter 2012 Anime Spotlight: The List (Dec 22, 2011)
The Mike Toole Show - The Lost Decade (Jan 2, 2011)
The Fall 2010 Anime Preview Guide - Carlo Santos (Oct 2, 2010)
The Fall 2010 Anime Preview Guide - Carl Kimlinger (Oct 1, 2010)
Dig For Fire: The Roots of Gurren Lagann (Sep 7, 2008)
Shelf Life - Manly Spirit (Jul 28, 2008)
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Transformers: Dark of the Moon (live-action movie) : Special Thanks To
Staff in:
Aikatsu! (TV 3) : Key Animation (ep 159)
Anime Tenchō (OAV) : Screenplay, Art Director, Animation Character Design, Continuity
Battle Athletes Victory (TV) : Key Animation (eps 8, 23)
Black Cat (TV) : Storyboard (eps 18-19), Key Animation (OP; eps 18-19)
Black Rock Shooter (TV) : Storyboard (OP; eps 1-3, 7-8), Episode Director (eps 1-4, 7-8), Unit Director (OP), CG Battle Director, Key Animation Layout (eps 1-2)
BNA: Brand New Animal (TV) : Storyboard (eps 1, 5, 12), Action Director, Action Part Supervision (2, 7-8, 10), Key Animation (eps 7, 11-12)
Captain Kuppa (TV) : Key Animation (ep 4)
Chiisana Kyojin Microman (TV) : Animation Director (ep 26), Key Animation (eps 39, 52)
Corpse Princess: Aka (TV) : Key Animation (OP+Ep. 5)
Corpse Princess: Kuro (TV) : Key Animation (OP)
Cromartie High School (TV) : Storyboard (OP)
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (ONA) : Director, Storyboard (ep 10), 2nd Key Animation (ep 10)
Dai-Guard (TV) : Storyboard (ep 3), Key Animation (OP)
DARLING in the FRANXX (TV) : Action Director, Action Part Storyboard (eps 1, 3, 6), Design, Storyboard Cooperation (ep 15)
Dead Leaves (OAV) : Director, Storyboard, Character Design , Animation Director, Continuity, Drawing Supervisor , Key Animation
EUREKA SEVEN AO (TV) : Illustration (by Elena; ep 12)
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (movie) : Key Animation
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (movie) : Key Animation
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time (movie) : Key Animation
FLCL (OAV) : Storyboard (eps 1, 5-6), Animation Director (eps 2, 5), Art Layout (eps 2, 5), Assistant Animation Director (eps 1, 3), Key Animation (eps 1, 3-6), Key Animation Supervisor, Setting (eps 2, 5)
Fullmetal Alchemist (TV) : Key Animation (eps 4, 22)
Gad Guard (TV) : Storyboard (ep 5), Key Animation (ep 24)
Gaiking: Legend of Daikū-maryū (TV 2/2005) : Key Animation (eps 1, 13)
GaoGaiGar: King of the Braves (TV) : Key Animation (Gainax; eps 28, 30)
Generator Gawl (TV) : Key Animation (eps 1-2)
Geobreeders (OAV) : Key Animation
Getter Robo: Armageddon (OAV) : Animation (Key Animation for ep. 2)
Gunbuster 2: Diebuster (OAV) : 2nd Key Animation (ep 3), Key Animation (eps 1-2, 5), Mechanical animation Director (ep 4)
Gunbuster vs Diebuster Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie : Animation Director, Key Animation
Gurren Lagann (TV) : Director, Storyboard (eps 1, 8, 27), Episode Director (ep 27), Episode Title Font Design (eps 1-8), Eyecatch Illustration (eps 1, 18), Key Animation (5 episodes
eps 1, 8, 15, 26-27
), Mechanical animation Director (ep 27)Gurren Lagann the Movie – The Lights in the Sky Are Stars : Director, Storyboard, Animation Director (Mecha), Key Animation
Gurren Lagann the Movie –Childhood's End- : Director, Storyboard, Animation Director (Mecha), Eyecatch Illustration, Key Animation
Hayate the Combat Butler (TV) : Key Animation (ep 39)
He Is My Master (TV) : Storyboard (ep 4)
Hellsing (TV) : Key Animation (OP)
Heroman (TV) : Key Animation (ep 26)
His and Her Circumstances (TV) : Script (ep 19), Storyboard (1,3,8,19,24 Chapters) (4 episodes
eps 1, 3, 10, 19
), Animation Director (eps 3, 11, 19), Color & Cutting (ep 19), Color setting (ep 19), Key Animation (6 episodeseps 3, 10, 19, 24-26
), Play Animation (ep 19)(The) IDOLM@STER (TV) : Storyboard (1 episodes
ep 15 play within a play
)Inferno Cop (ONA) : Supervision
Japan Animator Expo (ONA) : Script (Geekboat; ep 14), Storyboard (ep 14), Episode Director (ep 14), Key Animation (ep 14)
Jubei-Chan 2: The Counterattack of Siberia Yagyu (TV) : Key Animation (ep 7)
Kamisama Dolls (TV) : Key Animation (ep 13)
Kill la Kill (special) : Director
Kill la Kill (TV) : Director, Storyboard (OP 1-2, ED 1-4; 5 episodes
eps 1, 4, 13, 21, 24
), Episode Director (ep 24), Unit Director (ED 1, 3), Animation Director (ep 25), Key Animation (3 episodeseps 1, 3 uncredited, 24
)Kiznaiver (TV) : Key Animation (OP)
Knight Hunters (TV) : Animation (OP 2), Opening Animation (OP2)
Knights of Ramune & 40 Fire (TV) : Key Animation (ep 23)
Kodocha (TV) : Key Animation (eps 54, 75)
LBX (TV) : Key Animation (OP 2)
Little Witch Academia (movie) : Story Cooperation
Little Witch Academia (TV) : Storyboard (eps 8, 25), Key Animation (eps 3, 18, 25)
Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade (OAV) : Key Animation, Story Cooperation
Lupin III: Alcatraz Connection (special) : Key Animation
Lupin III: Crisis in Tokyo (special) : Key Animation
Lupin III: Island of Assassins (special) : Key Animation
Lupin III: Operation Return the Treasure (special) : Key Animation
Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine (TV) : Key Animation (ep 12)
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (TV) : Storyboard (eps 3, 12), Episode Director (ep 3), Animation Director (eps 3, 12), Creative Design (ep 12)
Mahoromatic - Automatic Maiden (TV) : Key Animation (OP; ep 4)
Mahoromatic: I'm Home! (special) : Key Animation (ep 1)
Medabots (TV) : Storyboard (ep 14), Episode Director (ep 14), Animation Director (ep 14), Key Animation (2 episodes
eps 1, 14 uncredited
)Mo~tto! Ojamajo Doremi (TV) : Key Animation (OP 1-2)
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (TV) : Key Animation (ep 25)
(The) Mystic Archives of Dantalian (TV) : Storyboard (ep 6)
Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) : In-Between Animation (12 episodes
eps 11, 14-17, 19-20, 22-26
), Key Animation (video format version for ep. 23)Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (movie) : Key Animation (Death & Rebirth)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (movie) : Key Animation (eps 25-26)
New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT (TV) : Director, Series Composition, Script (eps 2, 18), Storyboard (OP; 7 episodes
eps 1-2, 6, 13, 18, 29-30
), Design (eps 18, 22), Key Animation (OP), Story Concept (9 episodeseps 2, 13, 18-19, 22, 27-30
)Night Warriors - Darkstalkers' Revenge (OAV) : Key Animation (ep 4)
Ninja Slayer From Animation (ONA) : Character Design, Animation Director (Trigger; OP), Assistant Animation Director (eps 17-18), Key Animation (Trigger; OP; ep 26)
Ojamajo Doremi # (TV) : Key Animation (OP)
One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (movie 6) : Key Animation
OVAL X OVER (OAV) : Director, Storyboard, Animation Director
Panty & Stocking in Sanitarybox (OAV) : Director, Storyboard (eps 1-3, 5-8), Episode Director (eps 1-3, 5-8)
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (TV) : Director, Script (5 episodes
eps 1, 9, 11 plot, 14 plot, 18 plot
), Storyboard (OP, ED; 5 episodeseps 1-2, 11, 25, 28
), Episode Director (4 episodeseps 1, 11, 27-28
), Unit Director (OP, ED), 2nd Key Animation (ep 11), Key Animation (eps 1-2, 28)Paradise Kiss (TV) : Key Animation (ED)
Parappa the Rapper (TV) : Storyboard (ED 1; eps 5, 11, 18), Unit Director (ED 1), Key Animation (all for ED 1)
Petite Princess Yucie (TV) : Storyboard (ep 7), Key Animation (ep 7)
PoPoLoCrois (TV) : Key Animation (ep 6)
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (movie) : Storyboard
Promare (movie) : Director, Storyboard, Art Director, Design, Key Animation ("Galo-hen")
Promare: Galo-hen (ONA) : Director, Key Animation
Promare: Lio-hen (ONA) : Director
Re: Cutie Honey (OAV) : Director (ep 1), Episode Director (ep 1), Unit Director (OP), Commentary (Blu-ray; ep 1), Key Animation (OP; eps 1, 3)
Redline (movie) : Key Animation
Rosario + Vampire (TV) : Key Animation (ep 10)
Saber Marionette J (TV) : Key Animation (ep 19)
Samurai Champloo (TV) : Storyboard (ep 9)
Shaman King (TV 2001) : Key Animation (OP 1-2)
Shoka (special) : Key Animation
(The) Slayers Next (TV) : Key Animation (eps 22, 26)
(The) Slayers Try (TV) : Key Animation (eps 1, 6, 14)
Space Dandy (TV) : Guest Mechanical Design Draft (ep 7)
Space Patrol Luluco (TV) : Director, Series Composition, Script (eps 1, 9, 13), Storyboard (eps 1, 9, 13), Episode Director (ep 13), Original creator, Key Animation (OP; eps 9, 12-13), Plot (eps 3, 5-7, 9)
Speed Racer X (TV) : Key Animation (OP 1-2; eps 4, 34)
Star Driver (TV) : Key Animation (ep 25)
Star Wars: Visions (ONA) : Director (The Twins), Head Of Storyboard (The Twins)
Street Fighter Alpha: Generations (OAV) : Key Animation
This Ugly Yet Beautiful World (TV) : Key Animation (OP, ED 1; ep 7)
Trava (OAV) : Storyboard (ep 2), Key Animation (eps 2-3)
Virus Buster Serge (TV) : Key Animation (eps 1, 4, 11)
Wild Arms - Twilight Venom (TV) : Key Animation (OP; ep 3)
Windy Tales (TV) : Key Animation (ep 1)
Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life (TV) : End Card (ep 8)
Yatterman (TV 2008) : Key Animation (eps 12, 54)
Zettai Shonen (TV) : Key Animation (ep 23)
Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei (TV) : Storyboard (Zetsubou Fight)
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