Directing

Masakazu Obara

Masakazu Obara (小原 正和, Ohara Masakazu) is a Japanese anime director. He is also known as Sakazuki Orihara (織原真盃) and Jin Inai (稲井仁). He joined Sunrise in 1992, where he has directed Mai-HiME, Mai-Otome and Accel World, among others.

Known For

Sword Art Online the Movie - Progressive - Aria of a Starless NightSword Art Online the Movie - Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night · 2021
Sword Art Online the Movie - Progressive - Aria of a Starless Night
7.92021
MovieAnimationAction
Asuna Yuuki had never played online games until accidentally putting on the NerveGear for Sword Art Online, the world’s first VRMMORPG. She soon finds herself and other players trapped inside a game, where if a player dies in the game, they die in the real world. As she continues to live on in this world where death is always a step away, a solitary swordsman named Kirito appears before her.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends- · 2022
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-
8.02022
MovieAnimationComedy
After pining for one another and plotting for so long, Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane finally have their climactic first kiss. However, they struggle to define their relationship. After all, how much of their true selves have they really shown to one another?
Sword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Scherzo of Deep NightSword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night · 2022
Sword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night
7.72022
MovieAnimationAction
Over a month has passed since 10,000 users were trapped inside the "Sword Art Online" world. Asuna, who cleared the first floor of the floating iron castle of Aincrad, joined up with Kirito and continued her journey to reach the top floor. With the support of female Information Broker Argo, clearing the floors seemed to be progressing smoothly, but conflict erupts between two major guilds who should be working together – the top player groups ALS (the Aincrad Liberation Squad) and DKB (the Dragon Knights Brigade). And meanwhile, behind the scenes exists a mysterious figure pulling the strings…
Accel World: Infinite BurstAccel World: Infinite Burst · 2016
Accel World: Infinite Burst
6.62016
MovieAnimationAction
In 2046, many aspects of life are carried out on a virtual network. No matter how advanced the time becomes, however, bullying never disappears. Haruyuki is one of the bullied students. However, one day he is contacted by Kuroyukihime, the most famous person in the school. "Wouldn't you like to 'accelerate' and go further ahead, boy?" Haruyuki is introduced to the "Accel World" and decides to fight as Kuroyukihime's knight.
High School Fleet MovieHigh School Fleet Movie · 2020
High School Fleet Movie
4.12020
MovieAnimationAction
Living by the sea, protecting the sea, and journeying across the sea…They’re the BLUE MERMAIDS! Because of a shift in tectonic plates around 100 years ago, Japan lost much of its area to submergence. To preserve Japan’s territories, Coastal Cities sprung up, one after the other. Eventually, they became Marine Cities, and along with the expansion of sea-lanes to connect them, the need arose for a sizable staff to protect the seas. At the same time, maritime jobs were becoming more popular among women. Hence, the BLUE MERMAIDS had become every female student’s dream job.
The Spirit Photography: Paranormal PhenomenonThe Spirit Photography: Paranormal Phenomenon · 2011
The Spirit Photography: Paranormal Phenomenon
2011
MovieHorror
The 7th installment of a ghost documentary that explores the cursed truth hidden behind a selection of spine-chilling horrifying photographs from among the ghost photographs that exist in the world. Abnormal faces, earthbound spirits at your feet, red hands, golden spiritual paths, ikiryō's feet, and more.
Sword Art OnlineSword Art Online · 2012
Sword Art Online
8.22012
SeriesAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy
In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...
Kaguya-sama: Love Is WarKaguya-sama: Love Is War · 2019
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
8.52019
SeriesComedyAnimation
Considered a genius due to having the highest grades in the country, Miyuki Shirogane leads the prestigious Shuchiin Academy's student council as its president, working alongside the beautiful and wealthy vice president Kaguya Shinomiya. The two are often regarded as the perfect couple by students despite them not being in any sort of romantic relationship.

Filmography

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Sword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Scherzo of Deep NightSword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night · 2022
Sword Art Online the Movie – Progressive – Scherzo of Deep Night
7.72022
MovieAnimationAction
Over a month has passed since 10,000 users were trapped inside the "Sword Art Online" world. Asuna, who cleared the first floor of the floating iron castle of Aincrad, joined up with Kirito and continued her journey to reach the top floor. With the support of female Information Broker Argo, clearing the floors seemed to be progressing smoothly, but conflict erupts between two major guilds who should be working together – the top player groups ALS (the Aincrad Liberation Squad) and DKB (the Dragon Knights Brigade). And meanwhile, behind the scenes exists a mysterious figure pulling the strings…

Second Unit Director

NieR:Automata Ver1.1aNieR:Automata Ver1.1a · 2023
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a
8.12023
SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure
The distant future, 5012. The sudden aerial invasion of Earth by <Aliens> and their creations <Machine Lifeforms> led mankind to the brink of extinction. The surviving number of humans who took refuge on the moon to organize a counterattack using <android> soldiers to recapture Earth. However, the war reaches a stalemate as the <Machine Lifeforms> continue to multiply infinitely. In turn, humanity deploys anew unit of android soldiers as an ultimate weapon: <YoRHa> Newly dispatched to Earth <2B> joins <9S>, the analyst currently stationed there, where amid their mission, they encounter a myriad of mysterious phenomena... This is the story of these lifeless <androids> and their endless fight for the sake of mankind.

Storyboard Artist

Fate/strange FakeFate/strange Fake · 2024
Fate/strange Fake
8.22024
SeriesAnimationAction & Adventure
In a Holy Grail War, Mages (Masters) and their Heroic Spirits (Servants) fight for the control of the Holy Grail—an omnipotent wish-granting device said to fulfill any desire. Years have passed since the end of the Fifth Holy Grail War in Japan. Now, signs portend the emergence of a new Holy Grail in the western American city of Snowfield. Sure enough, Masters and Servants begin to gather... A missing Servant class... Impossible Servant summonings... A nation shrouded in secrecy... And a city created as a battleground. In the face of such irregularities, the Holy Grail War is twisted and driven into the depth of madness. Let the curtain rise on a masquerade of humans and heroes, made to dance upon the stage of a false Holy Grail.

Director

My-Otome ZweiMy-Otome Zwei · 2006
My-Otome Zwei
6.32006
SeriesAnimation
My-Otome Zwei takes place one year after the events of My-Otome. Arika is now a full-fledged Otome (though still under the tutelage of Miss Maria) and Nagi is incarcerated in a prison somewhere in Aries. The various nations are at peace with one another and plan to hold S.O.L.T. (Strategic Otome Limitation Talks) to discuss limiting the numbers of Otome. A mission to destroy a meteor threatening to collide with Earl sets into motion a chain of events which result in a mysterious shadowy figure attacking Garderobe and several Otome as well as a new, more powerful version of Slave appearing across the planet. To make matters worse, Queen Mashiro disappears following an argument with Arika. The series follows Arika's search for Mashiro as well as Garderobe's attempts to uncover the truth behind the shadowy figure.

Series Director