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Haruo Sotozaki

Haruo Sotozaki

Director · Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan

IMDb

Biography

Haruo Sotozaki is a Japanese anime and film director best known for his work on the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series. He began his career in the animation industry in the mid-1990s, contributing as a key animator and storyboard artist on various projects. Sotozaki made his full directorial debut with the anime adaptation of Ninja Nonsense (2004). In 2019, he directed the critically acclaimed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba television series, followed by the record-breaking film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train (2020). His direction is noted for its dynamic action sequences and faithful adaptation of source material.

Directed 23

2020s

  1. 2025

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

    Director

    84

  2. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Special Edition Hashira Training Arc Part 2

    Director

  3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Special Edition Hashira Training Arc Part 1

    Director

  4. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Special Edition Swordsmith Village Arc Part 2

    Director

  5. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Special Edition Swordsmith Village Arc Part 1

    Director

  6. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Infiltration Arc

    Director

  7. 2024

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-

    Director

  8. 2023

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Entertainment District Decisive Battle Arc

    Director

  9. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village-

    Director

  10. 2022

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Tsuzumi Mansion Arc

    Director

  11. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Asakusa Arc

    Director

  12. 2021

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hashira Meeting Arc

    Director

  13. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mt. Natagumo Arc

    Director

  14. 2020

    Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train

    Director, Second Unit Director

    79

Visual effects 43

2000s

  1. 2009

    Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike

    Key Animation

  2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

    Key Animation

    90
  3. 2008

    Inazuma Eleven

    Key Animation

    82

  4. Antique Bakery

    Animation Director

    66
  5. 2007

    Tales of Symphonia: The Animation

    Key Animation

  6. Reideen

    Key Animation

  7. 2005

    Noein: To Your Other Self

    Animation Director

    73

  8. Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel

    Key Animation

    64
  9. 2004

    Lupin the Third: Swallowtail Tattoo

    Animation Director

    66

  10. Ninja Nonsense

    Key Animation

    73

  11. Samurai 7

    Key Animation

    74
  12. 2003

    New Fist of the North Star

    Character Designer

  13. New Fist of the North Star: The Cursed City

    Animation Director

  14. E's Otherwise

    Key Animation

  15. 2002

    Heat Guy J

    Animation Director, Key Animation

  16. Naruto

    Key Animation, Animation Director

    84

  17. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

    Key Animation

    84

  18. eX-Driver the Movie

    Key Animation

  19. 2001

    Rave Master

    Key Animation

    71

  20. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

    Key Animation

    72

  21. Fruits Basket

    Animation Director

    76

  22. R.O.D: Read or Die

    Key Animation

    75

  23. The SoulTaker

    Key Animation

  24. Star Ocean EX

    Key Animation

  25. Digimon Adventure 02: Revenge of Diaboromon

    Key Animation

    69

  26. Initial D: Third Stage

    Animation Director, Key Animation

    75

  27. Earth Maiden Arjuna

    Animation Director, Key Animation, Animation

    69
  28. 2000

    Saiyuki

    Animation Director

    69

Art department 4

2010s

  1. 2019

    Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

    Storyboard Artist

    85
  2. 2014

    Tales of Zestiria: The Shepherd's Advent

    Storyboard Artist