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Kazuya Tsurumaki

Kazuya Tsurumaki

Editor, director and writer, also actor · Born February 2, 1966 (60) · Gosen, Niigata, Japan

Kazuya Tsurumaki is a Japanese anime director. He is the protégé of Hideaki Anno, and was a longtime animator at Gainax before leaving for Studio Khara.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 2, 1966 (60)
From
Gosen, Niigata, Japan
Works as
Editor, director and writer, also actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 67 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 44% in 30 days

What are Kazuya Tsurumaki's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
60%
Bonds
10%
Survival
9%
Society
9%
Morality
8%
Power
3%
Ideas
3%
Identity9 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose8 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeParenthood2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 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 6

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

Grounded 1 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 8

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 2 · Intense 8

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

Steady 0 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 0 · 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 8 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 0 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 8

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

Easy watch 1 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 7

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

Resolved 1 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 8

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
9
Contemplative
7
Dread
5
Cathartic
3
Other
4

How their films linger

Thought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous9

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 Kazuya Tsurumaki's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 16 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Crunchyroll (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kazuya Tsurumaki'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

67 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Production Supervisor · Screenplay

  • Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX(2025)

    Show 12 episodes · Director · Key Animation · Series Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX: Beginning(2025)

    Director · Key Animation · Second Unit Director · Series Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

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

    Director · Screenplay

  • EVANGELION:3.0(-46h) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Director · Screenplay

  • FLCL: Shoegaze(2023)

    Show Writer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

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

    Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • FLCL Progressive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Original Story

  • FLCL Alternative (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Original Story

  • The Dragon Dentist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Shin Godzilla(2016)

    Storyboard

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

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

    Actor

  • I can Friday by day! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Storyboard Artist

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

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Character Designer · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

  • The Dragon Dentist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Animation Director

  • Kill La Kill(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

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

    Director · Assistant Script · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • THE iDOLM@STER (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

  • Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

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

    Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone(2007)

    Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Gurren Lagann(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Mina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · Creator · Original Story

  • Diebuster: The Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Original Story

  • Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Original Story

  • Gunbuster: The Movie(2006)

    Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Mobile Suit Z Gundam: A New Translation - Heirs to the Stars(2004)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Diebuster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Creator · Story

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition (Renewal of Evangelion) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 30 episodes · Director

  • Petite Princess Yucie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Overman King Gainer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Mahoromatic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Storyboard Artist

  • PaRappa the Rapper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 15 episodes · Director

  • Noir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • FLCL(2000)

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

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • GAMERA 1999 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Cinematographer

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

    Show 2 episodes · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

  • His and Her Circumstances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Animation Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

  • Evangelion: Death (True)²(1998)

    Director · Animation Director · Assistant Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Revival of Evangelion(1998)

    Director · Animation Director · Assistant Director · Second Unit Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Detatoko Princess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Berserk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Director

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

    Director · Second Unit Director

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Revolutionary Girl Utena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth(1997)

    Director · Animation Director · Assistant Director · Storyboard Artist

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genesis 0:0 - In the Beginning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Neon Genesis Evangelion(1995)

    Show 26 episodes · Director · Animation Director · Assistant Director · Editor · Key Animation · Second Unit Director · Settings · Storyboard Artist · Writer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Saber Marionette R (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Storyboard Artist

  • Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture(1994)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Sailor Moon(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

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

    Key Animation

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

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Otaku no Video (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Key Animation

  • Roujin Z(1991)

    Key Animation · Layout

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - The Motion Picture(1991)

    Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

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

    Animation Director

  • The Hakkenden: Legend of the Dog Warriors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • The Demonic Beast Front (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Key Animation

  • Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water(1990)

    Show 13 episodes · Animation Director · Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Like the Clouds, Like the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Key Animation

  • Gdleen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Key Animation

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

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Key Animation · Storyboard Artist

  • Patlabor: Early Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

  • Bubblegum Crisis(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Key Animation

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Untitled Evangelion Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Series Director

Career shape

A full career of 66 titles, 65 of them dated from 1987 to 2026.

Biggest box office

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

$95M worldwide

Highest rated

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting2 of 66: 2 only acting, 0 with another roleDirecting27 of 66: 4 only directing, 23 with another role · typical Midcredits score90thWriting10 of 66: 3 only writing, 7 with another roleCinematography1 of 66: 1 only cinematography, 0 with another roleOther crew52 of 66: 31 only other crew, 21 with another role · typical Midcredits score82nd

66 titles, 25 with more than one role — other crew and directing overlap on 19 of them.

By decade

1980s3 · crew1990s27 · 1 acting · 26 crew2000s17 · crew2010s12 · 1 acting · 11 crew2020s6 · 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 Kazuya Tsurumaki's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 82nd percentile, the median of all 15; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 92nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

92ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

94thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 25 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · director

Revival of Evangelion (1998)

67th percentile spread · 11% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the pacing 44/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 53, detractors 26. The element that speaks to their work as an editor.

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 Kazuya Tsurumaki's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles62–90 · median 83 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles48–74 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles20–54 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles3–40 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles48–94 · median 84 · severeheavier 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 Kazuya Tsurumaki work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kazuya Tsurumaki's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hideaki Anno shares the most, 12.

Directors

  • Hideaki Anno12 titles · 9 as director    See all 12 shared titles with Hideaki Anno
  • Masayuki8 titles · 7 as director    See all 8 shared titles with Masayuki
  • Ken Andô5 titles    See all 5 shared titles with Ken Andô
  • Masahiko Ôtsuka5 titles    See all 5 shared titles with Masahiko Ôtsuka

Writers

Actors

  • Megumi Ogata10 titles    See all 10 shared titles with Megumi Ogata
  • Fumihiko Tachiki9 titles    See all 9 shared titles with Fumihiko Tachiki
  • Kotono Mitsuishi9 titles    See all 9 shared titles with Kotono Mitsuishi
  • Megumi Hayashibara9 titles    See all 9 shared titles with Megumi Hayashibara

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles