Directing

Masahiko Murata

Masahiko Murata (むらた 雅彦, Murata Masahiko, born August 8) is an animator, animation director, director and storyboard artist from Saitama Prefecture. His real name and former stage name are Masahiko Murata (村田 雅彦, Murata Masahiko). Masahiko joined Shaft in early 80's and left the company in late 90's to become a freelancer. He was the first director of OVA “Mazinkaiser”. His main works as anime fi…

Known For

Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood PrisonNaruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison · 2011
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison
7.22011
MovieThrillerAnimation
After his capture for attempted assassination of the Raikage, leader of Kumogakure, as well as killing Jōnin from Kirigakure and Iwagakure, Naruto is imprisoned in Hōzukijou: A criminal containment facility known as the Blood Prison. Mui, the castle master, uses the ultimate imprisonment technique to steal power from the prisoners, which is when Naruto notices his life has been targeted. Thus begins the battle to uncover the truth behind the mysterious murders and prove Naruto's innocence.
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of FireNaruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire · 2009
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire
7.42009
MovieActionAdventure
Ninjas with bloodline limits begin disappearing in all the countries and blame points toward the fire nation. By Tsunade's order, Kakashi is sacrificed to prevent an all out war. After inheriting charms left by Kakashi, Naruto fights through friends and foes to prevent his death while changing the minds of those who've inherited the will of fire.
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost TowerNaruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower · 2010
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
7.22010
MovieAdventureAction
Assigned on a mission to capture Mukade, a missing-nin, Naruto Uzumaki sets out for the once glorious historic ruins of "Ouran", where he pursues and corners the rouge ninja. Mukade's goal is revealed to be a dormant leyline within the ruins; he unleashes the power of the leyline, causing a light to envelop Naruto, sending him into the past, 20 years before the series began. When Naruto awakens, he comes into contact with the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost PainGhost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain · 2013
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain
7.02013
MovieActionAnimation
The story is set in 2027, one year after the end of the fourth non-nuclear war. New Port City is still reeling from the war's aftermath when it suffers a bombing caused by a self-propelled mine. Then, a military member implicated in arms-dealing bribes is gunned down. During the investigation, Public Security Section's Daisuke Aramaki encounters Motoko Kusanagi, the cyborg, wizard-level hacker assigned to the military's 501st Secret Unit. Batou, a man with the "eye that does not sleep," suspects that Kusanagi is the one behind the bombing. The Niihama Prefectural Police detective Togusa is pursuing his own dual cases of the shooting death and a prostitute's murder. Motoko herself is being watched by the 501st Secret Unit's head Kurutsu and cyborg agents.
Naruto: The Lost Story - Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!Naruto: The Lost Story - Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! · 2003
Naruto: The Lost Story - Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village!
7.22003
MovieAnimationAction
Naruto and his friends must get back a jug of stolen holy water from a band of higher class ninjas.
Lupin the Third: The Secret of Twilight GeminiLupin the Third: The Secret of Twilight Gemini · 1996
Lupin the Third: The Secret of Twilight Gemini
6.41996
MovieAnimationAction
As Lupin's mentor Don Dolune lies on his deathbed, he hands the master thief a gift, the diamond named Twilight. Though it's only half the treasure — the other half of the Twilight can be found in Morocco. Lupin must contend with his on-again-off-again-partner Fujiko, his feelings for the mysterious Lara, and the relentless whip-wielding maniac Sadachiyo in order to bring Twilight back to its full glory.
Mazinkaiser vs Great Darkness GeneralMazinkaiser vs Great Darkness General · 2003
Mazinkaiser vs Great Darkness General
6.02003
MovieAnimationScience Fiction
Mazinkaiser vs the Great general of darkness is a retelling of 1974's Mazinger Z vs. The Great General of Darkness. The new Mazinger Team is overwhelmed by the surprise assault of the subterranean Mykene empire resulting in many casualties, but Mazinkaiser ultimately defeats the forces of evil, ending with a bitter duel against the leader of Mykene, the Great General of Darkness.
Lupin the Third: Dead or AliveLupin the Third: Dead or Alive · 1996
Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive
6.61996
MovieAnimationAction
When Lupin heads to the kingdom of Zufu to pilfer its treasure, he incurs the wrath of its psychotic ruler General Headhunter, who places a dead-or-alive bounty on his head.

Filmography

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Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost PainGhost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain · 2013
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain
7.02013
MovieActionAnimation
The story is set in 2027, one year after the end of the fourth non-nuclear war. New Port City is still reeling from the war's aftermath when it suffers a bombing caused by a self-propelled mine. Then, a military member implicated in arms-dealing bribes is gunned down. During the investigation, Public Security Section's Daisuke Aramaki encounters Motoko Kusanagi, the cyborg, wizard-level hacker assigned to the military's 501st Secret Unit. Batou, a man with the "eye that does not sleep," suspects that Kusanagi is the one behind the bombing. The Niihama Prefectural Police detective Togusa is pursuing his own dual cases of the shooting death and a prostitute's murder. Motoko herself is being watched by the 501st Secret Unit's head Kurutsu and cyborg agents.

Director

Puzzle & Dragons XPuzzle & Dragons X · 2016
Puzzle & Dragons X
4.02016
SeriesAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy
The story takes place in a fantasy world consisting of humans, Dragonoids and Monsters. There is a relative harmony between the three races. There are also Drops, spherical objects that come out of the planet, which can power up the Monsters. Humans and Dragonoids can take on the role of Dragon Callers if they have the capability to see the Drops, wherein, they form bonds with monsters. Currently, the planet is facing Drop Impacts, occurrences where a large amount of Drops are suddenly generated in a single area (and can also spread), which affects the lands and makes the Monsters berserk. In fact, one of the main duties of Dragon Callers is to settle the Drop Impacts by stabilizing the Drop distribution.

Storyboard Artist

Attacker You!Attacker You! · 1984
Attacker You!
6.11984
SeriesAnimation
Attacker You! is the story of ambitious and energetic 13-year-old junior high schoolgirl You Hazuki (variously known as "Mila," "Jeanne" or "Juana" in Western dubbed versions of the anime), who moves to Tokyo from Osaka to live with her father Toshihiko, a cameraman recently returned from Peru, and attend school. You's mother is not in the picture, having left when You was very young. Also living with You and her father is her younger brother Sunny, who is very attached to his older sister and tends to follow her everywhere she goes, including to school and to her volleyball matches. You is also curious about Kyushi Tajima, the pretty blonde woman whom she sees covering volleyball games on television, and about why her father becomes very angry whenever You mentions her.

Key Animation

CLAMP School DetectivesCLAMP School Detectives · 1997
CLAMP School Detectives
5.71997
SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure
CLAMP School has the size and resources of a small city. Over 10,000 people—students and their families—live, work, and study within its self-sufficient campus. Any student with talent, regardless of wealth, is gladly accepted into this amazing facility. Covering kindergarten through graduate school, it is without equal anywhere in the world. Nokoru Imonoyama, Student Council President of the Elementary School Division, as well as the Treasurer, Akira Ijūin, and Secretary, Suō Takamura, are three of the most well-liked and idolized students in school. Nokoru decides that he and his two friends are going to start a detective service, solving any mystery or crime, great or small. But, as Nokoru is a bit theatrical and a shameless romantic, he declares that these detectives will focus on aiding mostly girls and women. With all the resources the school has to offer at their disposal, the CLAMP School Detectives are on a mission to help damsels in distress.

Key Animation

Vanessa Et La Magie Des RêvesVanessa Et La Magie Des Rêves · 1984
Vanessa Et La Magie Des Rêves
6.51984
SeriesAnimationComedy
11-year old Persia is an energetic, loyal and happy young girl who has grown up alongside the animals on the Serengeti plains of Africa. Twins Riki and Gaku Muroi and their grandfather, Gōken, bring Persia to Japan with them in Minato-machi, where she lives with a couple who own a grocery store. During an incident during the return flight to Japan, Persia finds herself in the "Lovely Dream", the land where dreams are born and grow. The Fairy Queen appears before Persia in the form of a butterfly, and explains that the Lovely Dream is in danger, requesting Persia's help. She gives Persia a magical golden headband with a star which reacts to the word "Papurikko". With it, Persia can conjure a magic baton which bridges her world and Lovely Dream, as well as transform into an older self by saying "Perukko Raburin Kurukuru Rinkuru". She is sent with three kappa back into the regular world with the mission of collecting love energy to thaw the frozen Lovely Dream.

Key Animation