Kenjirou Okada (Japanese: 岡田 堅二朗, Hepburn: Okada Kenjirō) is a Japanese director and storyboard artist best known for directing March Comes In like a Lion.
Kenjirou Okada 岡田 堅二朗 | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Director, storyboard artist |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Employer | Group TAC (2005–2010) |
| Known for | March Comes In like a Lion |
Career
editOkada started off in the anime industry as a production assistant for Zoids: Genesis in 2005 at Group TAC.[1] Over several years, Okada worked to this capacity, and in 2007 was promoted to production manager on Nenbutsu Monogatari (released in 2008). Two years later, in 2010, he made his debut as an episode director on episode 124 of Hana Kappa. That year, however, Group TAC filed for bankruptcy, and Okada had a short tenure at Studio CJT (founded by former Group TAC members) as a producer,[2] but that same year became a freelancing director. In 2012, he became associated with Shaft and made his debut with the studio on the 2nd episode of Nekomonogatari: Black. For the next 4 years, he participated in a number of Shaft productions as an episode director and storyboard artist, and in 2016 made his debut as a series director with the studio on March Comes In like a Lion under Akiyuki Shinbo's direction,[3] which received positive reviews from critics.[4][5] Okada occasionally works with other companies, but a majority of his output continues to be with Shaft.
Style
editIn an interview between him and Shaft colleague Hajime Ootani, the two were asked to describe each other's styles and processes as directors. Commenting on his own style, Okada stated that he gave more attention to appealing to fans of the works he was adapting and the original author's expectations, to which Ootani supported and gave admiration for.[6] In 2021, Okada acted as assistant director for Ootani's Pretty Boy Detective Club, and chief director Shinbo stated that Ootani and Okada complimented each other's strengths and weaknesses.[7]
Works
editTelevision series
editIn "Director(s)" column highlights Okada's directorial works.
| Year | Title | Director(s) | Studio | SB[a] | ED[b] | Other roles and notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Zoids: Genesis | Kazunori Mizuno | SMDE | No | No | Production assistant | [1] |
| 2006 | Otogi-Jūshi Akazukin | Takaaki Ishiyama | Madhouse | No | No | Production assistant | [8] |
| 2007 | Bakugan Battle Brawlers | Mitsuo Hashimoto | TMS Entertainment Japan Vistec |
No | No | Production assistant | |
| 2009 | Kimi ni Todoke | Hiro Kaburagi | Production I.G | No | No | In-between animator | [9] |
| 2012 | Tsuritama | Kenji Nakamura | A-1 Pictures | No | Yes | [10] | |
| Nekomonogatari: Black | Akiyuki Shinbo Tomoyuki Itamura (series) |
Shaft | No | Yes | [11] | ||
| Picchipichi Shizuku-chan | Kazumi Nonaka | Asahi Production | No | No | Producer | [2] | |
| 2013 | From the New World | Masashi Ishihama | A-1 Pictures | No | Yes | [12] | |
| Sasami-san@Ganbaranai | Akiyuki Shinbo | Shaft | No | Yes | [13] | ||
| Monogatari Series Second Season | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Tomoyuki Itamura Naoyuki Tatsuwa (series, #6–9) Yuki Yase (series, #14–17) |
Shaft | No | Yes | Assistant episode director 2nd key animator |
[14][15][16] | |
| Gatchaman Crowds | Kenji Nakamura | Tatsunoko Production | No | Yes | [17] | ||
| 2014 | Buddy Complex | Yasuhiro Tanabe | Sunrise | No | Yes | [18] | |
| Captain Earth | Takuya Igarashi | Bones | No | Yes | [19] | ||
| Mekakucity Actors | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Yuki Yase |
Shaft | No | Yes | [20] | ||
| Hanamonogatari | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Tomoyuki Itamura |
Shaft | No | Yes | [21][22] | ||
| Tsukimonogatari | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Tomoyuki Itamura |
Shaft | No | Yes | [23] | ||
| 2015 | Nisekoi: | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Yukihiro Miyamoto (chief episode) |
Shaft | Yes | Yes | [24][25] | |
| Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA | Takashi Kawabata | Doga Kobo | No | Yes | [26] | ||
| Owarimonogatari | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Tomoyuki Itamura |
Shaft | No | Yes | [27] | ||
| 2016 | March Comes In like a Lion | Akiyuki Shinbo Kenjirou Okada (series) |
Shaft | Yes | Yes | [3][28][29] | |
| 2017 | March Comes In like a Lion 2nd Season | Akiyuki Shinbo Kenjirou Okada (series) |
Shaft | Yes | Yes | [30][31][32] | |
| 2018 | Fate/Extra: Last Encore | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Yukihiro Miyamoto (series) |
Shaft | No | Yes | [33] | |
| 2019 | Zoku Owarimonogatari | Akiyuki Shinbo | Shaft | Yes | Yes | [34] | |
| 2020 | Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story | Doroinu (chief) Yukihiro Miyamoto Kenjirou Okada Midori Yoshizawa |
Shaft | Yes | Yes | [35][36][37][38] [39] | |
| Wave, Listen to Me! | Tatsuma Minamikawa | Sunrise | Yes | No | [40] | ||
| Assault Lily Bouquet | Shouji Saeki Hajime Ootani (chief episode) |
Shaft | Yes | Yes | [41] | ||
| 2021 | Pretty Boy Detective Club | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Hajime Ootani |
Shaft | Yes | Yes | Assistant director | [42][43][44] |
| 2022 | RWBY: Ice Queendom | Toshimasa Suzuki Kenjirou Okada (chief) |
Shaft | Yes | Yes | [45] | |
| 2023 | Horimiya: The Missing Pieces | Masashi Ishihama | CloverWorks | Yes | Yes | [46] | |
| 2024 | Black Butler: Public School Arc | Kenjirou Okada | CloverWorks | Yes | Yes | [47] | |
| 2025 | Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc | Kenjirou Okada | CloverWorks | Yes | Yes | [48] |
OVAsONAs
edit| Year | Title | Director(s) | Studio | SB[a] | ED[b] | Other roles and notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Nenbutsu Monogatari | Takashi Ui | Group Tac | No | No | Production manager | |
| 2016 | Koyomimonogatari | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief) Tomoyuki Itamura |
Shaft | No | Yes | [49] |
Films
edit| Year | Title | Director(s) | Studio | SB[a] | ED[b] | Other roles and notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Eien no Hou | Isamu Imakake | Group TAC | No | No | Production assistant | |
| 2020 | Josee, the Tiger and the Fish | Kōtarō Tamura | Bones | No | Yes | [50] |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Studio | Roles and notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Magia Record (Arc I) | Shaft | Cutscene director and storyboard artist | [51] |
Notes
editCitations
edit- Aniplex (2021). Pretty Boy Detective Club Vol. 5 Special Booklet. Aniplex.
References
edit- ^ a b Zoids: Genesis (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 23, 29, 37. 制作進行 - 岡田堅二朗 [Production advancer - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ a b Picchipichi Shizuku-chan (in Japanese). Event occurs at opening credits. プロデューサー - 岡田堅二朗 [Producer - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ a b "3月のライオン March comes in like a lion". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Jensen, Paul; Ekens, Gabriella (April 16, 2018). "Shelf Life - March Comes in Like a Lion Season 1 Part 1". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "The Fall 2016 Anime Preview Guide - March comes in like a lion". Anime News Network. October 8, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Kenjirou Okada and Hajime Ootani (January 24, 2018). March Comes In like a Lion Blu-Ray Volume 5 (Interview) (in Japanese).
- ^ Aniplex 2021, p. 13.
- ^ Otogi-Jūshi Akazukin (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 23, 29, 37. 制作進行 - 岡田堅二朗 [Production advancer - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Kimi ni Todoke (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 10. 動画 - 岡田堅二朗 (Telecom Animation Film) [In-between animator - Kenjirou Okada (Telecom Animation Film)]
- ^ Tsuritama (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 10. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Nekomonogatari: Black (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 2. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ From the New World (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 20. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Sasami-san@Ganbaranai (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 10. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Monogatari Series Second Season (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 4, 12, 18, 23. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Monogatari Series Second Season (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 3. 演出協力 - 岡田堅二朗 [Assistant episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Monogatari Series Second Season (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 23. 第二原画 - 岡田堅二朗 [2nd key animator - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Gatchaman Crowds (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 10. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Buddy Complex (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 11. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Captain Earth (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 19. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Mekakucity Actors (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 3. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Hanamonogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 4. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Hanamonogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 4. 絵コンテ - 岡田堅二朗 [Storyboard artist - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Tsukimonogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 2. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Nisekoi: (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 2, 12. 絵コンテ - 岡田堅二朗 [Storyboard artist - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Nisekoi: (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 2, 11. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Aria the Scarlet Ammo AA (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 3. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Owarimonogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 7, 13. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ March Comes In like a Lion (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 22. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ March Comes In like a Lion (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 11. 絵コンテ - 岡田堅二朗 [Storyboard artist - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ March Comes In like a Lion 2nd Season (in Japanese). Event occurs at opening credits. シリーズディレクター - 岡田堅二朗 [Director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ March Comes In like a Lion 2nd Season (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 4, 22. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ March Comes In like a Lion 2nd Season (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 9. 絵コンテ - 岡田堅二朗 [Storyboard artist - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Fate/Extra: Last Encore (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 13. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Zoku Owarimonogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 3. 絵コンテ / 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Storyboard artist / Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ それが絶交証明書 [It's Proof of the End of a Friendship]. Magia Record Anime. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ 友達にしてごめんね [Sorry For Making You My Friend]. Magia Record Anime. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ なんだってしてやるよ [I'll Do Anything]. Magia Record Anime. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ 一緒に帰りたい [I Want to Go Home With You]. Magia Record Anime. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ どうしてこんなにみじめなんですか [Why is This So Unbearable?]. Magia Record Anime. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Wave, Listen to Me! (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 3. 絵コンテ - 岡田堅二朗 [Storyboard artist - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ 第9話コスモス [Episode 9 - Cosmos]. Assault Lily Bouquet (in Japanese). Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 13, 2021). "Pretty Boy Detective Cluv TV Anime Reveals New Promo Video, More Staff, More Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Pretty Boy Detective Club (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 8, 12. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Pretty Boy Detective Club (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 4, 8. 絵コンテ - 岡田堅二朗 [Storyboard artist - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 24, 2022). "Shaft Animates New RWBY TV Anime RWBY: Ice Queendom". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Terebi Anime "Horimiya -piece-" Kōshiki Saito | Sutōrī" TVアニメ「ホリミヤ -piece-」公式サイト | STORY [TV Anime "Horimiya: The Missing Pieces" Official Website | Story]. horimiya-anime.com (in Japanese). Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 3, 2023). "Black Butler Gets New Anime Season in 2024". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ Tai, Anita (July 6, 2024). "Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc Anime Premieres in 2025". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ Koyomimonogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 11–12. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Episode director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits. 演出 - 岡田堅二朗 [Unit director - Kenjirou Okada]
- ^ Magia Record (video game) (in Japanese). ゲーム内アニメーション 絵コンテ･演出 - 大谷肇 / 岡田堅二朗 / 宮本幸裕 [In-game animation storyboard artist and director - Hajime Ootani / Kenjirou Okada / Yukihiro Miyamoto]
External links
edit- Kenjirou Okada at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Kenjirou Okada at IMDb