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Mahiro Maeda

Mahiro Maeda

Director and writer · Born March 14, 1963 (63) · Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Mahiro Maeda (前田 真宏 Maeda Mahiro) born March 14, 1963 is one of the most prominent Japanese anime creators working today, having worked as director, character designer, and animator for many of Japan's top series. Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime Movies called him "one of the most imaginative visualists in anime". He also worked on Concept Art and Design for Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), which won six Academy Awards. He has been one of the top contributors at the anime studio GONZO for many years, having directed Blue Submarine No. 6, Final Fantasy: Unlimited and Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo. His design work ranges from 2 of the "Angels" in Neon Genesis Evangelion to production and mechanical design for such series as Magic User's Club (魔法使いTai! Mahō Tsukai Tai!), The Vision of Escaflowne and Last Exile. He was also the designer of the invaders in Gatekeepers 21. His earlier years were spent mostly at the famed Studio Ghibli, where he helped animate classics such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, and Porco Rosso. Maeda is also one of the select Japanese directors to actively collaborate with the international film media on various projects. He provided key animation for the animation sequence in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 1. His directorial work has also been featured in such exclusive package films as The Animatrix (segment: "The Second Renaissance Parts I and II"), Genius Party Beyond (segment: "Gala"), and Ani*Kuri15 (segment: "Princess Onmitsu"). He has also visited the American Anime Expo convention in 2000 and 2003.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 14, 1963 (63)
From
Yonago, Tottori, Japan
Works as
Director and writer
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 68 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 28Down 29% in 30 days

What are Mahiro Maeda's films like?

Across their 7 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
40%
Self
22%
Ideas
14%
Power
9%
Society
8%
Bonds
4%
Survival
4%
Art2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 0 · Dark 3

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

Grounded 0 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 4

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 1 · Charged 1 · Intense 3

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

Steady 1 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

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 3 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 2 · Affecting 1 · Heavy 2

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 1 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
3
Contemplative
4
Melancholic
4
Dread
3
Thrilling
1
Other
4

How their films linger

Thought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

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 Mahiro Maeda's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Crunchyroll (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mahiro Maeda'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

68 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX(2025)

    Show 3 episodes · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: Beginning(2025)

    Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Kaiju No. 8(2024)

    Show 23 episodes · Creature Design

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Art Designer

  • Shin Kamen Rider(2023)

    Conceptual Design · Costume Design

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Comic Book

  • SSSS.GRIDMAN Grand Episode (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Creature Design

  • Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation(2022)

    Concept Artist · Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time(2021)

    Director · Art Designer · Concept Artist · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • SSSS.Gridman(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Creature Design

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Key Animation

  • Shin Godzilla(2016)

    Art Direction · Concept Artist · Conceptual Design · Creature Design · Storyboard

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam Movie - Over the Wishes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Original Story

  • Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • One Punch Man(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Hammerhead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director

  • Rapid Rouge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Original Concept

  • Mad Max: Fury Road(2015)

    Animation

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Kanón (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Character Designer · Key Animation · Screenplay · Storyboard Artist

  • 20min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director · Second Unit Director

  • Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark(2014)

    Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Japan Animator Expo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · Animation Director · Character Designer · Key Animation · Storyboard · Storyboard Artist · Writer

  • Rage of Bahamut: Genesis(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film(2013)

    Director · Second Unit Director

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ando Lloyd ～A.I. knows LOVE ?～ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 10 episodes · Creator · Original Story

  • Kill La Kill(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo(2012)

    Director · Assistant Script · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Special Effects

  • Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance(2009)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Genius Party Beyond(2008)

    Director · Animation Director · Character Designer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Genius Party Beyond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Writer

  • Ani*Kuri15 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director

  • Ani*Kuri15 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Brave Story(2006)

    Animation · Second Unit Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Origin: Spirits of the Past(2006)

    Mechanical Designer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo(2004)

    Show 24 episodes · Director · Executive Producer · Key Animation · Original Story · Series Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Kill Bill: Vol. 1(2003)

    Animation

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Animatrix(2003)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Second Renaissance Part II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director

  • Last Exile(2003)

    Show 26 episodes · Key Animation · Mechanical Designer · Production Design · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Key Animation · Writer

  • The Second Renaissance Part I (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Animation Director · Character Designer · Key Animation

  • Gate Keepers 21 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard

  • Final Fantasy: Unlimited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 25 episodes · Art Designer · Character Designer · Creature Design · Key Animation · Series Director · Storyboard Artist

  • VanDread (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris(1999)

    Creature Design

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Blue Submarine No. 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 4 episodes · Director · Character Designer · Key Animation · Mechanical Designer · Series Director · Storyboard Artist

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion(1997)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Gamera 2: Attack of the Legion(1996)

    Creature Design

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Gunsmith Cats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Animation

  • Porco Rosso(1992)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Moonlight Pierce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Key Animation

  • Doomed Megalopolis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 3 episodes · Key Animation

  • Route 20: Galactic Airport (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director · Story

  • Only Yesterday(1991)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water(1990)

    Show 39 episodes · Director · Key Animation · Settings · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Gunbuster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • The Tale of Genji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Key Animation

  • Battle Royal High School(1987)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Lemon Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • A Tale of Two Robots, Chapter 3: Foreign Invasion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Mechanical & Creature Designer

  • Robot Carnival(1987)

    Animation

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise(1987)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Castle in the Sky(1986)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Key Animation

  • Birth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Animation

  • Cream Lemon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

Career shape

A full career of 68 titles from 1984 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)

$95M worldwide

Highest rated

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 68: 1 only acting, 0 with another roleDirecting20 of 68: 6 only directing, 14 with another role · typical Midcredits score81stWriting13 of 68: 4 only writing, 9 with another roleProducing1 of 68: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew55 of 68: 41 only other crew, 14 with another role · typical Midcredits score82nd

68 titles, 16 with more than one role — other crew and directing overlap on 12 of them.

By decade

1980s11 · crew1990s12 · crew2000s17 · crew2010s19 · 1 acting · 18 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 Mahiro Maeda's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 83rd percentile, the median of all 24; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 83rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

97thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · director

Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film (2013)

52nd percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 78/100 and the pacing 43/100 in their films, across 3 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 Mahiro Maeda's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 88 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 55 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 4 · minimalMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 76 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Mahiro Maeda work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mahiro Maeda's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hideaki Anno shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers