Akiyuki Shinbo

Akiyuki Shinbo[d] (Japanese: 新房 昭之, Hepburn: Shinbō Akiyuki, born September 27, 1961) is a Japanese animator, director, writer, and storyboard artist. Best known for his works with Shaft, he has attained international recognition with the studio for his unique visual style and storytelling methods. Born in Koori, Fukushima Prefecture, Shinbo began his career in 1985 as a key animator at Studio One Pattern, which worked extensively as a subcontractor for Pierrot and Madhouse. In the early 1990s, Shinbo became a freelance creator and worked across multiple series at both studios as an episode director. He debuted as a series director with the J.C.Staff television series Metal Fighter Miku (1994), and over the next several years, Shinbo would develop his artistic directorial style and work with various industry creators as a freelance director and storyboard artist; his works from this time include The SoulTaker (2001), Le Portrait de Petit Cossette (2004), and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (2004). In 2004, Shinbo was invited by newly appointed Shaft president Mitsutoshi Kubota to join the animation studio as a director. Since his debut with Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase (2004), he has mentored various directors and won numerous awards for his productions with the studio. His notable directorial works with Shaft include the Monogatari series (2009–2018), Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011), and March Comes In like a Lion (2016–2018).