Skip to content
MovieCove
Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Director and writer, also actor · Born November 18, 1950 (75) · Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

Yoshiaki Kawajiri is a Japanese director, animator and writer.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 18, 1950 (75)
From
Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Works as
Director and writer, also actor
Titles
48 on MovieCove · 87 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Up 17% in 30 days

What are Yoshiaki Kawajiri's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
36%
Morality
21%
Survival
15%
Power
10%
Bonds
7%
Ideas
7%
Society
4%
Identity6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMemory2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 2 · Serious 2 · Dark 8

Heightened: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their heightened movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 1 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 8

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 1 · Intense 10

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Melancholic
9
Thrilling
7
Dread
5
Contemplative
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Fun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Yoshiaki Kawajiri's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 48 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Crunchyroll (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Yoshiaki Kawajiri's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

87 credits, 48 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Orb: On the Movements of the Earth(2024)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Trillion Game(2024)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Frieren: Beyond Journey's End(2023)

    Show 3 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom(2023)

    Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Police in a Pod(2022)

    Show 3 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Sonny Boy(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Jujutsu Kaisen(2020)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Deca-Dence(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • StarBeam(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Beastars(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Blade of the Immortal(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Vinland Saga(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept.(2017)

    Show 3 episodes · Storyboard Designer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • All Out(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • One Punch Man(2015)

    Show 4 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Overlord(2015)

    Show 13 episodes · Storyboard Artist · Storyboard Designer

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Rage of Bahamut: Genesis(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Iron Man: Rise of Technovore(2013)

    Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Attack on Titan(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Ninja Scroll Burst (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Key Animation · Storyboard Artist · Writer

  • Chihayafuru(2011)

    Show 15 episodes · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • The Tibetan Dog(2011)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Blade(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Iron Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 4 episodes · Storyboard Artist

  • Redline(2009)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Batman: Gotham Knight(2008)

    Director · Storyboard Designer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Shigurui: Death Frenzy(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Designer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Highlander: The Search for Vengeance(2007)

    Director · Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Azumi 2: Death or Love(2005)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Program (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Writer

  • World Record (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Animation · Writer

  • The Animatrix(2003)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Ninja Scroll: The Series(2003)

    Show 13 episodes · Original Story

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Animatrix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Writer

  • Space Pirate Captain Herlock: Outside Legend - The Endless Odyssey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 13 episodes · Storyboard Designer

  • X(2001)

    Show 24 episodes · Director · Series Director · Storyboard Artist · Writer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • X: An Omen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · Storyboard · Writer

  • Metropolis(2001)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust(2000)

    Director · Screenplay · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card(2000)

    Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Master Keaton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist · Writer

  • Satanika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Character Designer

  • X: The Movie(1996)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Birdy the Mighty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist · Writer

  • Azuki-chan the Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Character Designer

  • Bio Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Key Animation · Writer

  • Anne Frank's Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Key Animation

  • Azuki-chan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 117 episodes · Character Designer

  • Phantom Quest Corp. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · Opening/Ending Animation

  • Bronze: Cathexis Koji Nanjo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Storyboard Artist

  • The Cockpit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Animation · Animation Director · Character Designer · Writer

  • Ninja Scroll(1993)

    Director · Key Animation · Original Story · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Liquid Television (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • A Wind Named Amnesia(1990)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Record of the Lodoss War(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Cyber City Oedo 808 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Cyber City Oedo 808(1990)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · Character Designer · Creator

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Goku II: Midnight Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • The New Adventures of Kimba The White Lion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 52 episodes · Character Designer

  • Neo Tokyo(1987)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Goku Midnight Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Goku: Midnight Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Demon City Shinjuku(1988)

    Director · Animation

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Bride of Deimos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Key Animation

  • Phoenix: Space Chapter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Legend of the Forest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Key Animation

  • The Running Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Wicked City(1987)

    Director · Animation Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Time Stranger(1986)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Barefoot Gen 2(1986)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Dagger of Kamui (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Key Animation

  • Lensman(1984)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Barefoot Gen(1983)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Stop!! Hibari-kun! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Storyboard Artist

  • Lady Georgie(1983)

    Show 45 episodes · Opening/Ending Animation

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Harmagedon(1983)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Drifting Clouds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Storyboard · Storyboard Artist

  • Sea Prince and the Fire Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Key Animation

  • The Fantastic Adventures of Unico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Key Animation

  • Botchan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Key Animation

  • Animated Travels: Marco Polo's Adventures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 43 episodes · Animation Director

  • Future Boy Conan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Manga Fairy Tales of the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 245 episodes · Director · Art Direction · Character Designer

  • Japanese Folklore Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • First Human Gatorus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • The★Fire G-Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Key Animation

Career shape

A full career of 87 titles from 1974 to 2024.

Biggest box office

Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005)

$2.9M worldwide

Highest rated

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Animatrix (2003)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing28 of 87: 9 only directing, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stWriting20 of 87: 3 only writing, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score69thOther crew69 of 87: 52 only other crew, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rd

87 titles, 23 with more than one role — other crew and directing overlap on 13 of them.

By decade

1970s6 · crew1980s23 · crew1990s17 · crew2000s16 · crew2010s16 · crew2020s9 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Yoshiaki Kawajiri's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 72nd percentile, the median of all 22; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 48 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up22
  • 50th to 74th18
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 48 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · director

StarBeam (2020)

94th percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, writer

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 73/100 and the pacing 55/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Yoshiaki Kawajiri's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles78–95 · median 91 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles25–90 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles30–57 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles17–44 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles63–84 · median 76 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Yoshiaki Kawajiri work with?

People who share at least 2 of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Harutoshi Ogata shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles