Shoichi Masuo

Director · 1960–2017 · Tōkyō, Japan

Biography

Shōichi Masuo was a Japanese animator, animation director, and director renowned for his contributions to the anime industry. He began his career in the late 1970s and became known for his work on series such as Gunbuster (1988) and Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), where he served as an animation director and key animator. Masuo was acclaimed for his dynamic action sequences and mechanical designs. In addition to his animation work, he directed the OVA series Aim for the Top 2! (2004). Masuo's influence extended through his mentorship of younger animators and his dedication to advancing the quality of animation in Japan.

Directed 23

2000s

2006
Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie
Director
Gunbuster: The Movie
Director
Submarine 707 Revolution
Director
2004
Kishin Houkou Demonbane
Director
2003
Submarine 707R
Series Director

1990s

1998
EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)²
Director
65
Revival of Evangelion
Director
78
1997
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth
Director
73
1996
Baby and Me
Director
80
1995
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Director
85
Countdown Conjoined
Director
1993
Crimson Wolf
Director
紅狼ホンラン
Director
1992
All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku
Director
1991
Otaku no Video
Director
66
Otaku no Video
Director
Otaku no Video 1982
Director
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story I
Director
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story II
Director
1990
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Director
76

1980s

1988
Gunbuster
Director
77
Project A-Ko 3: Cinderella Rhapsody
Director
1987
Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise
Assistant Director
79

Visual effects 45

2010s

2000s

2009
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Key Animation
73
2007
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
Key Animation
72
2006
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
Key Animation
61
Brave Story
Animation
65
Origin: Spirits of the Past
Key Animation
65
2002
Yukikaze
Key Animation
A Tree of Palme
Key Animation
2001
Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time
Key Animation
73
Final Fantasy: Unlimited
Key Animation
62
2000
VanDread
Key Animation
67
Pokémon 3: The Movie
Key Animation
51

1990s

1999
Meltylancer: The Animation
Key Animation
1998
His and Her Circumstances
Key Animation
78
Pokémon: The First Movie
Key Animation
49
1997
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
Key Animation
84
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth
Key Animation
73
1996
Shamanic Princess
Key Animation
1995
Super Atragon
Key Animation
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Key Animation
85
1993
Crimson Wolf
Key Animation
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor
Key Animation
77
1992
Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still
Key Animation
1991
Moonlight Pierce
Key Animation
Exper Zenon
Key Animation
Doomed Megalopolis
Key Animation
58
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - The Motion Picture
Key Animation
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III
Animation Director
Fantastic Adventure of Yohko: Leda
Animation
Silent Möbius
Key Animation
1990
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Key Animation
76

1980s

1989
Baoh: The Visitor
Key Animation
Angel Cop
Key Animation
65
1988
Hades Project Zeorymer
Key Animation
Gunbuster
Key Animation
77
Akira
Key Animation
79
1987
Dirty Pair OVA
Opening/Ending Animation
1986
Project A-Ko
Key Animation
68
1985
Fight!! Iczer-One
Key Animation
58
Dirty Pair
Key Animation
74
Magical Emi, the Magic Star
Key Animation
63
Urusei Yatsura: Remember My Love
Key Animation
63
1984
Cream Lemon
Key Animation
1981
Urusei Yatsura
Key Animation
74

Art department 3

1990s

1993
Crimson Wolf
Storyboard Artist
1990
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Storyboard Artist
76

1980s

1989
Angel Cop
Storyboard Artist
65

Other crew 1

2000s

2007
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
Special Effects
72

Wrote 1

1990s

1993
Crimson Wolf
Screenplay

Appearances1

1980s

1986
Project A-ko: Secret File
Self