Masaharu Watanabe

Director

Biography

Masaharu Watanabe is a Japanese animator , animation director, and animation producer. He known for Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World (2016), Naruto: Shippuden (2007) and The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014).

Directed 10

2020s

2025
ZatsuTabi -That's Journey-
Series Director, Director, Assistant Director
68

2010s

2019
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- The Frozen Bond
Director
74
GRANBELM
Series Director, Director
65
2018
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow
Director
72
2016
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
Director, Series Director
82
2015
Wakaba Girl
Director, Series Director
2012
NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals
Director, Series Director
69

2000s

2009
Sengoku BASARA: Samurai Kings
Director
65
2007
Naruto Shippūden
Director
86
2006
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Assistant Director
77

Visual effects 27

2010s

2015
Wakaba Girl
Key Animation
2014
The Last: Naruto the Movie
Animation
76
SHIROBAKO
Key Animation
79
Yona of the Dawn
Key Animation
81
Terror in Resonance
Key Animation
78
Akame ga Kill!
Key Animation
78
Ping Pong the Animation
Key Animation
85
Baby Steps
Key Animation
76
The World is Still Beautiful
Key Animation
72
2012
Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
Key Animation, Animation Director
75
2011
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison
Animation
72
Sengoku Basara: The Last Party
Key Animation
63
2010
Yozakura Quartet: Hoshi no Umi
Key Animation
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
Animation Director
69

2000s

2009
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire
Animation Director
71
Sengoku BASARA: Samurai Kings
Key Animation
65
2008
Michiko & Hatchin
Key Animation
73
Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens
Key Animation
68
Toradora!
Key Animation
80
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds
Key Animation
69
2007
Naruto Shippūden
Key Animation, Animation Director, Opening/Ending Animation
86
2006
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Key Animation
77
PreCure Splash Star
Key Animation, Animation
74
2005
Munto 2: Beyond the Walls of Time
Key Animation
Air
Key Animation
68
2002
Naruto
Animation Director, Key Animation
84
2000
InuYasha
Key Animation
81

Art department 12

2020s

2026
Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky
Storyboard Artist
2025
ZatsuTabi -That's Journey-
Storyboard Artist
68
2024
No Longer Allowed in Another World
Storyboard Artist
69
2022
Naruto 20th Anniversary - Road of Naruto
Storyboard Artist
Uncle from Another World
Storyboard Artist
74

2010s

2019
GRANBELM
Storyboard Artist
65
2018
Comic Girls
Storyboard Artist
67
2016
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
Storyboard Artist
82
2015
Wakaba Girl
Storyboard Artist
2012
NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals
Storyboard Artist
69

2000s

2009
Sengoku BASARA: Samurai Kings
Storyboard Artist
65
2007
Naruto Shippūden
Storyboard Artist
86

Produced 1

2000s

2005
Kazuo Umezu's Horror Theater: House of Bugs
Producer