is a Japanese

anime is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...

creator and producer,

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

, visual artist, and

mecha In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...

designer. He is best known for creating the ''

Macross is a Japanese science fiction mecha anime media franchise/ media mix, created by Studio Nue (most prominently mecha designer, writer and producer Shōji Kawamori) and Artland in 1982. The franchise features a fictional history of Earth and th ...

mecha anime Mecha anime and manga, known in Japan as and , are anime and manga that feature robots (mecha) in battle. The genre is broken down into two subcategories; "super robot", featuring super-sized, implausible robots, and "real robot", where robots are ...

franchise and the ''

Diaclone is a toyline by Takara Toys launched in 1980. It consisted of transforming vehicles and robots piloted by miniature, magnet-shoed figures spun off from the prior Microman toy line. The toys in the 1980 line were designed by future ''Macross'' ...

'' toyline, which were in turn the basis for the ''

Robotech ''Robotech'' is a science fiction franchise that began with an 85-episode anime television series produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production and first released in the United States in 1985. The show was adapted from t ...

'' and ''

Transformers ''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the Autobots and the Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, suc ...

'' franchises, respectively. He is also known for creating ''

The Vision of Escaflowne is a 26-episode Japanese anime television series created by Shōji Kawamori and Sunrise Studios and directed by Kazuki Akane. It premiered in Japan on April 2, 1996 on TV Tokyo, and the final episode aired on September 24, 1996. Sony's a ...

'' anime series. He pioneered several innovative concepts in his works, such as transforming mecha (including the

VF-1 Valkyrie In the fictional ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross'' Japanese anime series and its English adaptation ''Robotech'', the first mass production, mass-produced transforming aerospace fighter aircraft, fighter mecha is called the VF-1 Valk ...

in ''Macross'' and

Optimus Prime Optimus Prime, , is a fictional Character (arts), character in the ''Transformers'' franchise. The Transformers characters were developed for an American market after Hasbro representatives visited the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show. The characters were ...

in ''Transformers'') and

virtual idol In entertainment, a virtual band (also called a virtual idol, virtual singer, virtual group, cartoon group, cartoon idol, cartoon singer or cartoon band) is a band or music group whose members are not depicted as corporeal musicians, but animat ...

s (including

Lynn Minmay Lynn Minmay ( Japanese: リン・ミンメイ ''Rin Minmei'', Chinese: 鈴明美 / 林明美 ''Líng Míngměi / Lín Míngměi'') is a fictional anime character from the '' Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' television series and '' Macross: D ...

and

Sharon Apple The following is a list of all the fictional characters within the ''Macross'' anime franchise. ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' Humans * Hikaru Ichijyo ( Arihiro Hase and Kenji Nojima/Vic Mignogna)The Super Dimension Fortress Macros ...

in the ''Macross'' franchise). His work has had a significant impact on popular culture, both in Japan and internationally.

Personal life

Shoji Kawamori was born in Toyama, Japan in 1960. Later in his youth he attended

Keio University , mottoeng = The pen is mightier than the sword , type = Private research coeducational higher education institution , established = 1858 , founder = Yukichi Fukuzawa , endowmen ...

in the late seventies and in the same years as ''Macross'' screenwriter

Hiroshi Ōnogi is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions. Ōnogi attended Keio University in the same years as ''Macross'' character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto and creator Shōji Kawamori, both of whom he would first collaborate w ...

and character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, where they became friends and founded a ''

Mobile Suit Gundam , also known as ''First Gundam'', ''Gundam 0079'' or simply ''Gundam '79'', is an anime television series, produced and animated by Nippon Sunrise. Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, it premiered in Japan on Nagoya Broadcasting ...

'' fan club called "Gunsight One", a name the group would use years later during the development of the fictional world of the ''

'' series.

Anime creation and production

Shoji Kawamori occasionally used the alias Eiji Kurokawa (黒河影次 ''Kurokawa Eiji'') early in his anime career when he started as a

teenage Adolescence () is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age of majority). Adolescence is usually associated with the te ...

intern An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time. Once confined to medical graduates, internship is used practice for a wide range of placements in businesses, non-profit organizations and gover ...

Studio Nue Studio Nue, Inc. ( ja, スタジオぬえ) is a Japanese design studio formed in 1972 (as Crystal Art Studio) by Naoyuki Kato, Kenichi Matsuzaki, Kazutaka Miyatake, and Haruka Takachiho. Crystal Art Studio would change their name to Studio Nue ...

and worked as assistant artist and animator there during the late seventies and early eighties. Later in his career Kawamori created or co-created the concepts which served as basis for several anime series such as ''

Super Dimension Fortress Macross is an anime television series from 1982. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war. It is the first part of two franchises: The Super Dime ...

'', ''

Earth Maiden Arjuna is a Japanese anime television series created by Shoji Kawamori. The series follows Juna Ariyoshi, a high school girl chosen to be the "Avatar of Time" and entrusted with saving the dying Earth. ''Arjuna'' aired for 12 episodes on TV Tokyo f ...

'', ''

Genesis of Aquarion , also known simply as ''Aquarion'' is a Japanese anime television series written and directed by Shoji Kawamori, produced by Satelight. Set in the future, a giant fighting machine called the Aquarion is humanity's only effective weapon in th ...

'', ''

Macross 7 is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show '' The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, ...

'', ''

Macross Frontier is a Japanese anime television series and the third Japanese anime television series set in the ''Macross'' universe. It was broadcast on MBS from April 4, 2008 to September 26, 2008. ''Macross Frontier'' is the story of a human spac ...

'', and ''

Macross Delta is a science fiction anime television series that aired on Tokyo MX in Japan from April 3, 2016, to September 25, 2016. The fourth television series set in the ''Macross'' universe, it is directed by Kenji Yasuda and written by Toshizo Nem ...

''. His projects are usually noted to contain strong themes of

love Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest Interpersonal relationship, interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of ...

war War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...

spirituality The meaning of ''spirituality'' has developed and expanded over time, and various meanings can be found alongside each other. Traditionally, spirituality referred to a religious process of re-formation which "aims to recover the original shape o ...

mysticism Mysticism is popularly known as becoming one with God or the Absolute, but may refer to any kind of ecstasy or altered state of consciousness which is given a religious or spiritual meaning. It may also refer to the attainment of insight in u ...

, and

ecological Ecology () is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. Ecology considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere level. Ecology overlaps wi ...

concern. Kawamori is currently executive director at the animation studio

Satelight is a Japanese animation studio. Aside from several stand-alone projects, the studio is well known for producing the '' Aquarion'' and '' Symphogear'' franchises, as well as later installments of the ''Macross'' franchise. The company's Represen ...

Mecha design

Shoji Kawamori is also a visual artist and a

designer — projects featuring his designs range from 1983's ''

Crusher Joe is a series of science fiction novels written by Haruka Takachiho and published by Asahi Sonorama from 1977 to 2005 (an additional trilogy was published between 2013 and 2016). During the late 1970s one of the founding fathers of Studi ...

'' to 2005's ''

Eureka Seven ''Eureka Seven'', known in Japan as , is a 2005 Japanese anime series created by Bones. The series was directed by Tomoki Kyoda, with series composition by Dai Satō, character designs by Kenichi Yoshida and music by Naoki Satō. ''E ...

''. Also, each and every

variable fighter A variable-sweep wing, colloquially known as a "swing wing", is an airplane wing, or set of wings, that may be swept back and then returned to its original straight position during flight. It allows the aircraft's shape to be modified in fli ...

from the official ''

'' series continuity has been designed by him. Kawamori also helped to design various toys for the

Takara Takara Co., Ltd. (株式会社タカラ) was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955. In March 2006, the company merged with Tomy Co., Ltd. to form Takara Tomy. The Takara motto was 遊びは文化」("playing is culture"). Products Toys In ...

toyline ''

'' in the early 1980s, many of which were later incorporated into

Hasbro Hasbro, Inc. (; a syllabic abbreviation of its original name, Hassenfeld Brothers) is an American multinational conglomerate holding company incorporated and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of ...

's ''

'' toyline. Quite a few of them became iconic '' Transformers: Generation 1'' toy designs. Among them the first

("Convoy") toy design, Prowl, Bluestreak, Smokescreen, Ironhide, and Ratchet. In 2006, he designed both the Hybrid Style

Convoy A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support and can help maintain cohesion within a unit. It may also be used ...

and the Masterpiece version of

Starscream Starscream is a fictional character in the ''Transformers'' media franchise. He is one of the most frequently occurring characters in the franchise, appearing in almost all of its different continuities. Starscream in generally depicted as the s ...

for

. One of his key mech design innovations was transforming mecha, which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. Kawamori came up with the idea of transforming mechs while working on the ''Diaclone'' and ''Macross'' franchises in the early 1980s (such as the

in ''Macross'' and ''

''), with his ''Diaclone'' mechs later providing the basis for ''Transformers''. Some of Kawamori's most iconic transforming mecha designs include the VF-1 Valkyrie from the ''Macross'' and ''Robotech'' franchises, and

(called Convoy in Japan) from the ''Transformers'' and ''Diaclone'' franchises. In 2001, he brought his mecha design talent to real-life projects when he designed a variant of the

Sony , commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...

AIBO AIBO (''stylized aibo, Artificial Intelligence Robot'', homonymous with , "pal" or "partner" in Japanese) is a series of robotic dogs designed and manufactured by Sony. Sony announced a prototype Aibo in mid-1998, and the first consumer model wa ...

'' robotic

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. Do ...

, the ''ERS-220''.

Legacy

Kawamori came up with several innovative concepts and helped create several franchises which had a significant impact on popular culture, both in Japan and internationally. One of his original ideas was the transforming

, which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. He introduced the concept with ''

'' in 1980 and ''

'' in 1982, with some of his most iconic transforming mecha including the

from ''Macross'' (later adapted into ''

'' in 1985) and Convoy from the 1983 ''Diaclone'' line (later called

in ''

''). The concept later became more popular in the mid-1980s, with '' Macross: Do You Remember Love?'' (1984) and ''

Zeta Gundam is a 1985 Japanese television anime series, the second installment in the ''Gundam'' franchise, and a sequel to the original ''Mobile Suit Gundam''. The show was created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, with character designs by Yoshikazu ...

'' (1985) in Japan, and with ''Robotech'' (1985 adaptation of ''Macross'') and ''Transformers'' (1986 adaptation of ''Diaclone'') in the West. In turn, ''Macross'' and ''Zeta Gundam'' became influential in Japan, while ''Robotech'' and ''Transformers'' became influential in the West, with ''Robotech'' helping to introduce

to North America and ''Transformers'' influencing the

Hollywood movie The cinema of the United States, consisting mainly of major film studios (also known as Hollywood) along with some independent film, has had a large effect on the global film industry since the early 20th century. The dominant style of Am ...

industry. In addition to his innovative mecha design work, Kawamori also came up with innovative concepts in his character writing. In contrast to earlier

which focused on combatants, he wanted to portray a mecha conflict from the perspective of non-combatant civilians, which led to his creation of the fictional singer

in ''Macross''. She went on to become the first

. Voiced by

Mari Iijima is a Japanese actress and singer. She writes and produces most of her own music, and plays the piano and other instruments. After being signed to JVC Victor in 1982, Mari first became known for her voice-acting role as Lynn Minmay in the anime ...

, Minmay was the first fictional idol singer to garner major real-world success, with the theme song "Do You Remember Love?" (from the film ''Macross: Do You Remember Love?'') reaching number seven on the

Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan and Western music. It started as, which was founded by Sōkō Koike in Nov ...

music charts in Japan. Kawamori later took the concept further in ''

Macross Plus is a four-episode anime OVA and theatrical movie in the ''Macross'' series. It was the first sequel to the original ''Macross'' television series that took place in the official timeline (''Macross II'' was quickly retconned by series creator ...

'' (1994) with the virtual idol

, an

artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence—perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by animals and humans. Example tasks in which this is done include speech re ...

(AI)

computer program A computer program is a sequence or set of instructions in a programming language for a computer to execute. Computer programs are one component of software, which also includes documentation and other intangible components. A computer program ...

who takes the form of an intergalactic

pop star A pop icon is a celebrity, character, or object whose exposure in popular culture is regarded as constituting a defining characteristic of a given society or era. The usage of the term is largely subjective since there are no definitively object ...

. The same year, he created ''

'' (1994), which featured the

virtual band In entertainment, a virtual band (also called a virtual idol, virtual singer, virtual group, cartoon group, cartoon idol, cartoon singer or cartoon band) is a band or music group whose members are not depicted as corporeal musicians, but animat ...

Fire Bomber Fire Bomber is a fictional rock band from the anime series ''Macross 7'' (and related projects such as ''Macross 7 Trash'', '' Macross 7 Encore'', and ''Macross Dynamite 7''). In real life, Fire Bomber's music was performed by Yoshiki Fukuyama ( ...

who became a commercial success and spawned multiple CDs released in Japan. The ''Macross'' franchise set the template for later virtual idols in the early 21st century, such as

Hatsune Miku , also called Miku Hatsune, and officially code-named CV01, is a Vocaloid software voicebank developed by Crypton Future Media and its official moe anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic mascot character, a 16-year-old girl with long, turquoise bu ...

and

Kizuna AI is a Japanese virtual YouTuber (VTuber) currently part of Kizuna AI Inc., a subsidiary of digital entertainment company Activ8. From her debut in 2016 until 2021, she was the most subscribed VTuber on Youtube, with more than 4 million subsc ...

. Another innovative character concept he came up with was the role of

Misa Hayase is one of the central fictional characters of the ''Macross'' Japanese anime series.Character of Macross: Misa Hayase. Pages 106-109. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. Y2800. Minori Library, Japan. 1983, October 10. Her ...

in ''Macross'' (called

Lisa Hayes ''Robotech'' is the American adaptation of three Japanese animated series: ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'', ''The Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross'', and ''Genesis Climber MOSPEADA'', as a single TV series. The series is divided i ...

in ''Robotech''), who was one of the main commanders of the Macross battleship. She was the boss and commanding officer of the fighter pilot protagonist

Hikaru Ichijyo Hikaru Ichijyo (一条輝 ''Ichijō Hikaru'') is one of the main fictional characters of the '' Macross'' Japanese anime series.Character of Macross: Hikaru Ichijyo. Pages 102–105. ''Macross Perfect Memory''. Reference Book. 260 A4 pages. M ...

(called Rick Hunter in ''Robotech''), and later his love interest. This was a scenario Kawamori came up with which he had not seen in any Hollywood movies before. A similar scenario, however, later appeared in the Hollywood movie ''

Top Gun ''Top Gun'' is a 1986 American action drama film directed by Tony Scott, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, with distribution by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay was written by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr., and was inspired by an a ...

'' (1986). According to Kawamori, "Many people pointed out that later films like ''Top Gun'' copied that idea and setting, as well as including the combination of many songs and fighters too."

Works

Anime

''Macross'' series

*''

The Super Dimension Fortress Macross is an anime television series from 1982. According to story creator Shoji Kawamori, it depicts "a love triangle against the backdrop of great battles" during the first Human-alien war. It is the first part of two franchises: The ''Super D ...

'' - Original Series Concept Creator, Production Supervisor, Mechanical Designer *'' Macross: Do You Remember Love?'' - Movie Concept Creator, Director, Mechanical Designer, Series Script Supervisor, Movie Story *'' The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012'' - Executive Director, Compilation, Mechanical Designer *''

'' - Creator, Executive Director, Writer, Mechanical Design *''

'' - Creator, Writer, Supervisor, Mechanical Designer *''

Macross Dynamite 7 is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1 ...

'' - Creator, Series Script Supervisor, Mechanical Designer, Ending Photography *''

Macross Zero is an anime prequel OVA to ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' released for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ''Macross'' franchise during 2002 in Japan. It was created and directed by Shoji Kawamori and produced by Satelig ...

'' - Creator, Director, Writer, Mechanical Designer *''

'' - Creator, Supervising Director, Story Composition, Mechanical Designer *'' Macross FB 7: Ore no Uta o Kike!'' - Original Creator, Valkyrie Design *''

'' - Creator, Main Director, Writer, Valkyrie Mechanical Designer Note: ''

Macross II is a six episode OVA in the ''Macross'' franchise. It was the first installment of ''Macross'' to feature a new cast of characters. ''Macross II'' was produced by Big West, with no involvement from the original series creators from Studio N ...

'' is the only animated ''Macross'' project in which Kawamori had no involvement.''

Other anime

*''

Space Battleship Yamato is a Japanese science fiction anime series produced and written by Yoshinobu Nishizaki, directed by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto, and produced by Academy Productions. The series aired in Yomiuri TV from October 6, 1974 to March 30, 1975 ...

'' series - Spaceship Mechanical Design (Uncredited) *''

Future GPX Cyber Formula is a Japanese futuristic motorsports anime television series produced by Asatsu-DK, VAP and Sunrise. The series originally aired between March 15 and December 20, 1991 on Nippon TV and was later followed by four OVA series respectively ...

'' - Machine Design *'' Future GPX Cyber Formula SIN'' - Machine Design *''

'' - Original Creator, Series Script Supervisor *''

Spring and Chaos is a 1996 Japanese anime television special inspired by the life of poet Kenji Miyazawa, released in Japan to mark the 100th anniversary of Miyazawa's birth. It was directed by Shoji Kawamori. It was released in North America by Tokyopop. Miy ...

'' - Director, Screenplay *''

'' - Original Creator, Director, Series Script Supervisor *''

The Family's Defensive Alliance is an anime television series created and written by Shōji Kawamori. The series premiered in Japan on WOWOW between January 9, 2001 and March 29, 2001, spanning a total of 13 episodes. It centers on a dysfunctional family tasked with defendi ...

'' - Original Creator, Series Planner *''

'' - Original Creator, Director, Series Script Supervisor, Aquarion Design *'' Genesis of Aquarion (OVA)'' - Director, Series Composition, Original Creator *''

Aquarion Evol is the sequel to the 2005 anime series ''Genesis of Aquarion''. It was originally announced on February 25, 2011, by the production staff. It aired on TV Tokyo from January to June, 2012 and its premiere featured an hour-long special that ...

'' - Original Creator, Director, Series Script Supervisor, Aquarion Design *'' Patlabor: The Movie'' - Mechanical Design (''Credited as Masaharu Kawamori'') *'' Patlabor 2: The Movie'' - Mechanical Design (''Credited as Masaharu Kawamori'') *'' WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3 - Mechanical Design *''

'' - Main Mechanic Design *'' Eureka Seven: AO'' - Nirvash Design *'' Engage Planet Kiss Dum'' - Main Mechanical Design *''

Kishin Taisen Gigantic Formula , also known as '' Apo Mekhanes Theos Gigantic Formula'', is a Japanese anime television series that aired on TV Tokyo from April 4, 2007, to September 26, 2007. A manga adaptation by Shōhei Oka was serialized concurrently in '' Dengeki Da ...

'' - Mechanical designer (Junova-VIII) *'' Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory'' - Designed the RX-78GP01 "Zephyranthes" and the RX-78GP02A "Physalis" Gundams *''

Ulysses 31 (french: link=no, Ulysse 31) is an anime series (1981) that updates the Greek mythology of Odysseus (known as "Ulixes" or "Ulysses" in Latin) to the 31st century. The show comprises 26 half-hour episodes as a co-production between DIC Audiovis ...

'' - Mechanical Design *''

Dangaioh is a Japanese anime OVA series produced and animated by AIC and Artmic and released in Japan in 1987. Dangaioh featured character designs by creator Toshiki Hirano, mechanical designs by Shoji Kawamori, and animation direction by Masami ...

'' - Mechanical Design, key animation *''

Ghost in the Shell ''Ghost in the Shell'' is a Japanese cyberpunk media franchise based on the seinen manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The manga, first serialized in 1989 under the subtitle of ''The Ghost in the Shell'' ...

'' - Mechanical Design *''

Basquash! is a Japanese anime television series animated by Satelight. Created by Shōji Kawamori and Thomas Romain, the series aired on MBS between April and October 2009. The anime is licensed by Maiden Japan. Plot The story takes place in ...

'' - Original Concept, Project Director *''

Outlaw Star is a Japanese anime Television show, television series produced by Sunrise (company), Sunrise and Seinen manga, ''seinen'' manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Itō. The series takes place in the "Toward Stars Era" universe i ...

'' - Designed the ship XGP15A-II *''

Tōshō Daimos is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Dōga and animated by Nippon Sunrise, directed by Tadao Nagahama as his last work. It is the third and final installment of the ''Robot Romance Trilogy'', following '' Chōdenji Robo Co ...

'' - Guest Mechanical Designer *''

Gordian Warrior is a Japanese anime television series that aired in 1979 to 1981. There were 73 episodes. It is also referred to as ''Champion of Gordian'' or ''Gardian''. Original Story The Earth had become a wasteland of deserts as the survivors work to ...

'' - Guest Mechanical Designer *''

Golden Warrior Gold Lightan is a mecha anime television series that aired from 1981 to 1982 in Japan. The show was also popular in Hong Kong and was aired there around the same time. There are 52 episodes that were aired at 30 minutes each. Original story The story ...

'' - Guest Mechanical Designer *'' Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzuu'' - Original Creator *''

AKB0048 ''AKB0048'' (stylized as ''AKB∞48'') is a 2012 Japanese science fiction musical comedy anime television series based on the idol group AKB48. The anime is produced by Satelight, with Shōji Kawamori as chief director. The first season air ...

'' - Original Creator, Director, Mechanical Design *''

Ani*Kuri15 is a series of fifteen 1-minute shorts broadcast by NHK between May 2007 and 2008. Intended as companion pieces to the ''Ani*Kuri'' program and as filler between regularly scheduled programs, the shorts were broadcast in three seasons of 5 epi ...

'' - Director (ep. 4) *''

'' - Adapted from ''Macross'' *'' Cowboy Bebop'' - Script (ep. 18), Stage Setting Cooperation *''

Glass Fleet , subtitled ''La Légende du Vent de l'Univers'' (lit. ''the Legend of the Wind of the Universe''), is an anime television series, co-animated by Satelight and Gonzo and produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (AB ...

'' - Mechanical Design *'' M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane'' - Mechanical Design *''

Nobunaga the Fool is a Japanese stage play and anime series, part of a wider franchise titled ''The Fool'' by anime creator Shōji Kawamori. The play is a combination of live actors produced by Avex Live Creative and animation by Satelight, first performed on De ...

'' - Original Creator *'' Last Hope'' - Original Creator, Director *''

Noein , also known simply as ''Noein'', is a Japanese science fiction anime television series directed by Kazuki Akane and produced by Satelight. The series has 24 episodes which make up a complete storyline. The English version was produced and dubb ...

'' - Storyboard (ep. 20) *''

RahXephon is a Japanese anime television series created and directed by Yutaka Izubuchi. The series follows 17-year-old Ayato Kamina, his ability to control a mecha known as the RahXephon, and his inner journey to find a place in the world. His l ...

'' - Storyboard (ep. 9) *''

Techno Police 21C , also known as simply ''Tehcno Police'', is a 1982 Japanese mecha police anime film made by Wiz Corporation and released on 7 August 1982. It was dubbed into English by Hong Kong voice actors. The anime film's premise involves an advanced robo ...

'' - Action Choreography Assistance and Mechanical Design *''

The Ultraman is a Japanese animated television series co-produced by Tsuburaya Production and Tokyo Broadcasting System and animated by Sunrise. The series aired on TBS Television affiliates on the Wednesday 7:00 PM time slot from April 4, 1979 to March ...

'' - Mechanical Design

Video games

*'' Ace Combat Assault Horizon'' - Guest Designer *''

Armored Core is a third-person shooter mecha video game series developed by FromSoftware. The series centers on a silent protagonist who takes on work as a mercenary pilot in the far future, operating large robot combat units known as Armored Cores at the be ...

'' - Mechanic Designer *'' Armored Core: Project Phantasma'' - Mechanic Designer *'' Armored Core: Master of Arena'' - Mechanic Designer *'' Armored Core 2'' - Mechanic Concept Designer *'' Armored Core 2: Another Age'' - Mechanic Concept Designer *''

Armored Core 3 is a 2002 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2. It is the sixth entry in the ''Armored Core'' series. ''Armored Core 3'' acts as a reboot for the franchise and begins a storyline that would continu ...

'' - Mechanic Concept Designer *'' Silent Line: Armored Core'' - Guest Designer *'' Armored Core: Nexus'' - Mechanic Concept Designer *'' Armored Core: For Answer'' - Mechanic Concept Designer *'' Eureka Seven vol. 1: The New Wave'' - Main Mechanical Designer *'' Eureka Seven vol. 2: The New Vision'' - Main Mechanical Designer *''

MechWarrior 3050 ''MechWarrior 3050'', also known as ''BattleTech'' in its original Sega Genesis release and in Japan as ''BattleTech 3050'' (バトルテック3050), is a 1994 mech-based video game developed by Malibu. The first ''BattleTech'' based game to be ...

'' - Cover Art (Japanese Version) *''

Omega Boost is a three dimensional shoot 'em up developed by Polyphony Digital and Cyberhead for the PlayStation. It was released in 1999 throughout Japan, North America, and Europe by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game features mecha designs by Sho ...

'' - Mechanical Design Advisor, Supervisor, Mechanical/Costume Designer, Opening/Ending Movie Director *''

Tech Romancer is a 1998 3D fighting arcade game by Capcom that draws heavily from the various subgenres of mecha anime. It was later ported to the Dreamcast console. The player controls a giant robot which is used to fight another robot in one-on-one combat. ...

'' - Mechanical Design, Original Concept *'' Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy'' - Supervisor, Mechanical Designer, Animated Sequences Director *''

Daemon X Machina ''Daemon X Machina'' is a Mecha third-person shooter action game developed and published by Marvelous. It was originally released for the Nintendo Switch on September 13, 2019 then later ported to Microsoft Windows on February 13, 2020. ''Armore ...

'' - Mechanic Designer *''

Devil May Cry 5 is a 2019 action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom. It is the sixth installment overall and the fifth mainline installment in the ''Devil May Cry'' series. Capcom released it for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on 8 March 201 ...

'' - Designed the robotic arms, "Devil Breakers", found throughout the game. Gerbera GP01 was designed with Shoji Kawamori's past works in mind as inspiration. "Devil Breaker" *'' Call of Duty: Mobile'' - Designed the Reaper skin, titled "Ashura". • Super Mecha Champions — Designed Playable Mecha "Pulsar"

Other work

*''

'' (1980-1982, toyline) - Mecha design *''

'' (1984, 2006, toyline) - Adapted from ''Diaclone'', mecha design *'' Gunhed'' (1989, live action film) - Mechanical Design *''

'' (1994, manga) - Writer * ''Thunderbirds Are Go'' (2015, animated TV series) - Mechanical Design

References

External links

Shoji Kawamori Official site (Satelight)
* *

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Macross CompendiumShoji Kawamori
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Gears Online
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kawamori, Shoji 1960 births Anime directors Anime screenwriters Mechanical designers (mecha) Macross Living people Satelight Sunrise (company) people Toy inventors