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Yoshiaki Kawajiri is a Director, Scriptwriter, Storyboard Designer and Key Animation Japonais born on 18 november 1950 at Yokohama City (Japon)

Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Yoshiaki Kawajiri
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Birth name Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Nationality Japon
Birth 18 november 1950 (73 years) at Yokohama City (Japon)

Yoshiaki Kawajiri (川尻 善昭, Kawajiri Yoshiaki, born November 18, 1950) is a critically acclaimed writer and director of Japanese animation. He is the creator of titles such as Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

Biography

Yoshiaki Kawajiri est né le 18 novembre 1950 à Yokohama, principale ville de la préfecture de Kanagawa, au sud de Tōkyō. Pendant son enfance, Kawajiri désire devenir Mangaka comme l'un des amis de sa mère, Hideaki Kitano. En 1968, après avoir fini ses études au lycée privé de Yokohama, il intègre le studio d'animation Mushi Production grâce à Kitano qui y travaille. Il commence en tant qu'intervaliste et travaille notamment sur la série Ashita no Joe où il fait la rencontre du réalisateur Osamu Dezaki. Avec lui, il quitte Mushi Pro et fondent en octobre 1972, avec d'autres ancien membre de Mushi, un nouveau studio appelé Madhouse. Il y travaille en tant qu'animateur-clé et occupe parfois le poste de directeur de l'animation comme sur Judo Sanka (1974) et sur Manga Sekai Mukashi Banashi (1975-1979).

Après la réorientation de la production du studio vers la production de films, Kawajiri va prendre une place plus importante. Il s'occupe notamment du storyboard du film Haguregumo (1982) et réalise son premier film, SF shinseiki Lensman , en 1984. Cependant ce n'est que sur Neo-Tokyo , film omnibus en trois parties que Kawajiri développe pour la première son « style ». Alors que la première et la troisième partie du film sont réalisées respectivement par Rintarō et Katsuhiro Ōtomo, Kawajiri s'occupe de la deuxième partie où il se distingue par son chara-design particulier. En 1987 sort Wicked city qui est un véritable succès au Japon où Kawajiri expose un peu plus son style très adulte, mélangeant scène d'extrême violence et longue scène de sexe.

Il enchaine par la suite avec la réalisation de plusieurs OAV (Goku midnight eye en 1989; Cyber City Oedo 808 en 1990) et sort en 1993, Ninja scroll, film qui le fera connaître en Occident et lui permettra d'acquérir une popularité internationale. Après Ninja Scroll, Kawajiri ne participe plus qu'a de petits projets et ne retourne à la réalisation de film qu'en 2000 avec Vampire Hunter D : Bloodlust, adaptation d'un roman de son ami Hideyuki Kikuchi . En 2001, il réalise sa première série, X, adapté du manga éponyme de Clamp. Il participe par la suite à des projets réunissant des grands noms de l'animation japonaise, comme le film Metropolis (avec Katsuhiro Ōtomo, Rintarō, Masao Maruyama) et les OAV The Animatrix (avec Kōji Morimoto, Shin'ichirō Watanabe, Mahiro Maeda…).

En 2007, il sort Highlander : Soif de vengeance.

Usually with

Rintarō
Rintarō
(5 films)
Takeshi Aono
Takeshi Aono
(9 films)
Yūsaku Yara
Yūsaku Yara
(5 films)
Takeshi Koike
Takeshi Koike
(4 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Yoshiaki Kawajiri (19 films)

Display filmography as list

Director

Highlander: The Search for Vengeance, 1h26
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin Japon
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Animation
Themes Films set in Africa, Post-apocalyptic films, Films about religion, Time travel films, Films set in the future, Political films, Dystopian films, Disaster films
Actors Alistair Abell, Shun Oguri, Scott McNeil, Nolan North, Janyse Jaud, Romi Park
Rating67% 3.355413.355413.355413.355413.35541
The story centers on characters who are immortal. The lead character, Colin MacLeod, became an Immortal after his first death in 125 AD in Roman Britain, when his village was attacked by the conquering Romans. Another Immortal, Marcus Octavius, was leading the Roman Empire's military forces in hopes of creating his dream of a utopian society. Octavius killed Colin's wife, but was not able to kill Colin whose unconscious body was dragged by a horse to within Stonehenge, a "holy ground" in the story, where Immortals are forbidden to fight.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, 1h45
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin Japon
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Horror, Animation, Western
Themes Films about animals, Films about magic and magicians, Post-apocalyptic films, Films about religion, Films set in the future, Wolves in film, Dracula films, Werewolves in film, Vampires in film, Political films, Dystopian films, Mise en scène d'un mammifère, Disaster films
Actors Pamela Adlon, John DiMaggio, Dwight Schultz, Andy Philpot, Wendee Lee, Michael McShane
Rating75% 3.7995953.7995953.7995953.7995953.799595
Charlotte, a young woman, is abducted by Baron Meier Link, a vampire nobleman who is known not to harm humans needlessly. Charlotte's father hires D, a dhampir, to find her and kill her humanely if she turns into a vampire. At the same time, her older brother also hires the notorious Marcus brothers for backup. Among them is a woman named Leila, who hunts vampires because of a personal grudge rather than for monetary gain. The two parties (D and the Marcus brothers) race inexorably after Meier Link. However, Meier Link hires the mutant Barbarois; a group of lethal mercenary body guards. They consist of Caroline, a shape shifter; Benge, a shadow manipulator; and Machira, a werewolf.
Ninja Scroll, 1h32
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin Japon
Genres Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Animation
Themes Seafaring films, Sports films, Transport films, Martial arts films, Samurai films
Actors Kōichi Yamadera, Takeshi Aono, Daisuke Gōri, Emi Shinohara, Shūichirō Moriyama, Norio Wakamoto
Rating77% 3.8991653.8991653.8991653.8991653.899165
Ninja Scroll is set in feudal Japan. Five years before the start of the film, the Yamashiro clan's chief retainers (vassal lords) dig gold out of a secret mine behind their lord's back. The lord of the Yamashiro clan wants to have the gold for himself, but his forces are not strong enough, so he cannot act alone. He also cannot go to the government first, because they would take the gold if they knew about the mine. He orders his ninja team, led by Gemma Himuro, to kill the chief retainers, claiming he would then report the mine to the government. Jubei Kibagami and Shinkuro are members of this ninja team. After the chief retainers are murdered, the Yamashiro lord does not report the mine to the government. Later, Gemma orders Shinkuro and the other ninjas to kill each other, thus eliminating everyone who knew about the mine. Reluctantly, Jubei kills Shinkuro his friend in self-defense, while the other team members lie dead. While Gemma is riding along a pass, Jubei springs from the snow and cuts off his head to avenge Shinkuro and the others. Jubei then becomes a wandering swordsman-for-hire.
Neo Tokyo
Neo Tokyo (1989)
, 50minutes
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Rintarō, Katsuhiro Ōtomo
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Horror, Animation
Themes Films about computing, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Sports films, Transport films, Films about automobiles, Auto racing films, Political films, Road movies, Cyberpunk films, Dystopian films
Actors Hideko Yoshida, Masane Tsukayama, Kazumi Tanaka, Yū Mizushima, Hiroshi Ōtake, Jōji Yanami
Rating69% 3.495273.495273.495273.495273.49527
The short follows Sachi (Hideko Yoshida/Cheryl Chase), a girl locked in a game of hide-and-seek with her cat Cicerone. Her search leads her to an old longcase clock which doubles as a doorway to a labyrinth world. The world is filled with supernatural oddities and characters, such as cardboard working class citizens, an invisible dog, a skeleton-led train and a weird circus. Eventually, Sachi and Cicerone arrive at a circus tent where a viewing screen is displayed, leading to the following segments.
Wicked City, 1h22
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin Japon
Genres Science fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Action, Horror, Animation
Actors Yūsaku Yara, Toshiko Fujita, Ichirō Nagai, Robert V. Barron, Takeshi Aono, Gaye Kruger
Rating67% 3.3501353.3501353.3501353.3501353.350135
The existence of the "Black World" is known to very few people. For centuries, a pact between the Black World and the world of humans has been observed to maintain peace, and terms must be negotiated and renewed every few hundred years to continue relative harmony. A militant faction of radicals from the Black World stops at nothing to prevent the signing of a new treaty.
Lensman
Lensman (1984)
, 1h47
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Action, Animation
Themes Feminist films, Political films, Space opera
Actors Steve Kramer, Nachi Nozawa, Michael McConnohie, Chikao Ōtsuka, Edie Mirman, Kerrigan Mahan
Rating63% 3.1935153.1935153.1935153.1935153.193515
The story is about a dying Lensman who transfers his Lens to a young man named Kimball Kinnison. To his best knowledge, Kim wasn't aware of how big the responsibility of holding the Lens is. This Lens contains vital information that would enable the Galactic Patrol to face the deadly DNA weapon created by the Boskone Empire. The Arisians initially were the ones who created the Lens in order to stand up to the evil Eddorians, because in spite of their great power, they alone could not vanquish the Eddorian menace. Through the Lens, the Lensmen minds were merged with the cosmic conscientiousness of Arisia. On another side is Lord Helmuth, the ruthless, merciless Boskone leader, who would stop at nothing to get his hands on the Lens.

Scriptwriter

Iron Man: Rise of Technovore, 1h28
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Action, Animation
Themes Superhero films
Actors Matthew Mercer, Norman Reedus, Clare Grant, J. B. Blanc, Eric Bauza, Kate Higgins
Roles Storyboard
Rating53% 2.6679052.6679052.6679052.6679052.667905
While racing in a desert with War Machine (James "Rhodey" Rhodes), Iron Man is ambushed by a mysterious new enemy who tries to destroy Tony Stark's new security satellite, "The Howard". War Machine is killed in the struggle and Iron Man sets out for revenge. He is intercepted by S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury who needs to talk to him. He escapes and make it over to Pepper Potts who is on vacation.
Azumi 2: Death or Love, 1h48
Directed by Shūsuke Kaneko
Origin Japon
Genres Drama, Action, Adventure, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Sports films, Transport films, Martial arts films
Actors Aya Ueto, Yuma Ishigaki, Chiaki Kuriyama, Shun Oguri, Kenichi Endō, Reiko Takashima
Roles Ecrivain
Rating62% 3.1056153.1056153.1056153.1056153.105615
Azumi and her only remaining colleague Nagara find themselves hunted by ninjas hired by General Kanbei for the assassinations they have carried out. One of which is the killing of his master. They hid temporarily in a temple so Nagara can heal his wounds sustained from their recent encounter. Azumi comes across some bandits led by Ginkaku, a young bandit who bears a striking resemblance to Azumi's former friend (and love interest) Nachi. Later, Azumi and Nagara are found by the allied ninjas working for Gessai, upon whose orders the assassins initially began their mission. After discussing it with Gessai, Azumi and Nagara leave to seek out their final target, Sanada Masayuki. On their mission they are accompanied by a squad of government ninja, among them a young woman named Kozue.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, 1h45
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin Japon
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Horror, Animation, Western
Themes Films about animals, Films about magic and magicians, Post-apocalyptic films, Films about religion, Films set in the future, Wolves in film, Dracula films, Werewolves in film, Vampires in film, Political films, Dystopian films, Mise en scène d'un mammifère, Disaster films
Actors Pamela Adlon, John DiMaggio, Dwight Schultz, Andy Philpot, Wendee Lee, Michael McShane
Rating75% 3.7995953.7995953.7995953.7995953.799595
Charlotte, a young woman, is abducted by Baron Meier Link, a vampire nobleman who is known not to harm humans needlessly. Charlotte's father hires D, a dhampir, to find her and kill her humanely if she turns into a vampire. At the same time, her older brother also hires the notorious Marcus brothers for backup. Among them is a woman named Leila, who hunts vampires because of a personal grudge rather than for monetary gain. The two parties (D and the Marcus brothers) race inexorably after Meier Link. However, Meier Link hires the mutant Barbarois; a group of lethal mercenary body guards. They consist of Caroline, a shape shifter; Benge, a shadow manipulator; and Machira, a werewolf.
Ninja Scroll, 1h32
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin Japon
Genres Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Animation
Themes Seafaring films, Sports films, Transport films, Martial arts films, Samurai films
Actors Kōichi Yamadera, Takeshi Aono, Daisuke Gōri, Emi Shinohara, Shūichirō Moriyama, Norio Wakamoto
Roles Original Story
Rating77% 3.8991653.8991653.8991653.8991653.899165
Ninja Scroll is set in feudal Japan. Five years before the start of the film, the Yamashiro clan's chief retainers (vassal lords) dig gold out of a secret mine behind their lord's back. The lord of the Yamashiro clan wants to have the gold for himself, but his forces are not strong enough, so he cannot act alone. He also cannot go to the government first, because they would take the gold if they knew about the mine. He orders his ninja team, led by Gemma Himuro, to kill the chief retainers, claiming he would then report the mine to the government. Jubei Kibagami and Shinkuro are members of this ninja team. After the chief retainers are murdered, the Yamashiro lord does not report the mine to the government. Later, Gemma orders Shinkuro and the other ninjas to kill each other, thus eliminating everyone who knew about the mine. Reluctantly, Jubei kills Shinkuro his friend in self-defense, while the other team members lie dead. While Gemma is riding along a pass, Jubei springs from the snow and cuts off his head to avenge Shinkuro and the others. Jubei then becomes a wandering swordsman-for-hire.
Neo Tokyo
Neo Tokyo (1989)
, 50minutes
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Rintarō, Katsuhiro Ōtomo
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Horror, Animation
Themes Films about computing, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Sports films, Transport films, Films about automobiles, Auto racing films, Political films, Road movies, Cyberpunk films, Dystopian films
Actors Hideko Yoshida, Masane Tsukayama, Kazumi Tanaka, Yū Mizushima, Hiroshi Ōtake, Jōji Yanami
Rating69% 3.495273.495273.495273.495273.49527
The short follows Sachi (Hideko Yoshida/Cheryl Chase), a girl locked in a game of hide-and-seek with her cat Cicerone. Her search leads her to an old longcase clock which doubles as a doorway to a labyrinth world. The world is filled with supernatural oddities and characters, such as cardboard working class citizens, an invisible dog, a skeleton-led train and a weird circus. Eventually, Sachi and Cicerone arrive at a circus tent where a viewing screen is displayed, leading to the following segments.
Wicked City, 1h22
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Origin Japon
Genres Science fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Action, Horror, Animation
Actors Yūsaku Yara, Toshiko Fujita, Ichirō Nagai, Robert V. Barron, Takeshi Aono, Gaye Kruger
Rating67% 3.3501353.3501353.3501353.3501353.350135
The existence of the "Black World" is known to very few people. For centuries, a pact between the Black World and the world of humans has been observed to maintain peace, and terms must be negotiated and renewed every few hundred years to continue relative harmony. A militant faction of radicals from the Black World stops at nothing to prevent the signing of a new treaty.