Osamu Dezaki
Encyclopedia
also known as , , or , was a Japanese director
of anime
born on November 18, 1943, in Shinagawa, Tokyo
, Japan. His older brother, Satoshi Dezaki
, is also an anime director.
Dezaki started out as a manga artist while still in high school. In 1963 he joined studio Mushi Productions, which was founded by manga and anime pioneer Osamu Tezuka
. His made his debut as a director in 1970 with Ashita no Joe.
Dezaki was known for his distinct visual style, which makes use of split screen
, stark lighting, and pastel freeze frame
s that he called "postcard memories", which may be his most famous trademark. They feature a process whereby the screen fades into a detailed "painting" of the simpler original animation. Many of his techniques became popular and came to be seen as special techniques of Japanese animation.
Desaki died from lung cancer on April 17, 2011, at the age of 67.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
of anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
born on November 18, 1943, in Shinagawa, Tokyo
Shinagawa, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Shinagawa City. The ward is home to nine embassies.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population of 344,461 and a density of 15,740 persons per km². The total area is 22.72 km²....
, Japan. His older brother, Satoshi Dezaki
Satoshi Dezaki
is an anime director, producer, and screenwriter. After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan North High School, he attended Hosei University. His younger brother was the late anime director Osamu Dezaki.-Brief history:...
, is also an anime director.
Dezaki started out as a manga artist while still in high school. In 1963 he joined studio Mushi Productions, which was founded by manga and anime pioneer Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
. His made his debut as a director in 1970 with Ashita no Joe.
Dezaki was known for his distinct visual style, which makes use of split screen
Split screen (film)
In film and video production, split screen is the visible division of the screen, traditionally in half, but also in several simultaneous images, rupturing the illusion that the screen's frame is a seamless view of reality, similar to that of the human eye...
, stark lighting, and pastel freeze frame
Freeze frame shot
A freeze frame shot is used when one shot is printed in a single frame several times, in order to make an interesting illusion of a still photograph....
s that he called "postcard memories", which may be his most famous trademark. They feature a process whereby the screen fades into a detailed "painting" of the simpler original animation. Many of his techniques became popular and came to be seen as special techniques of Japanese animation.
Desaki died from lung cancer on April 17, 2011, at the age of 67.
Television anime series
- Astro Boy (the first series, 1963–1966)
- animator → episode director
- 悟空の大冒険, Goku no Dai-bouken / Great adventure of Goku (based on Hsi Yu Chi, 1967)
- episode director
- わんぱく探偵団, Wanpaku Tanteidan / Naughty Detective Corps (1968)
- episode director
- DororoDororois a Japanese manga series from the critically acclaimed manga creator Osamu Tezuka in the late 1960s. The anime television series based on the manga consists of 26 half-hour episodes. It was made into a live-action film in 2007....
(1969)- episode director
- Tomorrow's JoeTomorrow's Joeis a critically acclaimed boxing manga written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba in 1968 that was later adapted into an anime series and movie. It is most commonly referred to as Ashita no Joe. Outside Japan it is also referred to as Rocky Joe or Joe...
(1970–1971)- chief director, screenplay and episode director (as Saki Makura)
- Lupin the 3rd (the first series, 1971–1972)
- storyboard (episodes 7, 13 & 17, as 斉九洋)
- Jungle Kurobe (1973)
- chief director
- Aim for the Ace! / Ace o Nerae! (1973–1974)
- chief director
- はじめ人間ギャートルズ, Hajime Ningen Gyatoruz / Giatrus, The Dawn of Mankind (1974–1976)
- episode director, director of OP and ED (1975)
- chief director, and episode director (as Saki Makura)
- Ganso Tensai Bakabon (1975–1977)
- episode director, and the image leader of this work
- Ie Naki Ko / Nobody's ChildIe Naki Kois a Japanese anime series by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. The story is based upon French author Hector Malot's novel Sans Famille in France. The anime is well known in Latin America, Quebec, France, Italy, the Arab world, Indonesia and the Philippines by the name of Remi.A movie version by the same studio...
(based on Hector MalotHector MalotHector Malot was a French writer born in La Bouille, Seine-Maritime. He studied law in Rouen and Paris, but eventually literature became his passion. He worked as a dramatic critic for Lloyd Francais and as a literary critic for L'Opinion Nationale.His first book, published in 1859, was Les...
's novel, Sans FamilleSans FamilleSans Famille is an 1878 French novel by Hector Malot. Most recent English translation is "Alone in the World" by AJ de Bruyn, 2007.-First Volume:...
/ Nobody's Boy, 1977–1978)- chief director, and episode director (as Saki Makura)
- Takarajima(based on Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
's novel, 1978–1979)- chief director
- The Rose of VersaillesThe Rose of Versailles, also known as Lady Oscar or La Rose de Versailles, is one of the best-known titles in shōjo manga and a media franchise created by Riyoko Ikeda. It has been adapted into several Takarazuka Revue musicals, as well an anime television series, produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and broadcast by the...
(also known as Lady Oscar, 1979–1980)- chief director (from episode 19)
- Tomorrow's JoeTomorrow's Joeis a critically acclaimed boxing manga written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba in 1968 that was later adapted into an anime series and movie. It is most commonly referred to as Ashita no Joe. Outside Japan it is also referred to as Rocky Joe or Joe...
(1980–1981)- chief director
- Space Adventure Cobra / Space CobraSpace Adventure Cobrais a space-opera manga series written and illustrated by Buichi Terasawa of the Black Sheep studio. The serialized form of Cobra originally appeared the Japanese shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump during 1978–1984...
(1982–1983)- chief director (with Yoshio Takeuchi)
- Rainbow BriteRainbow BriteRainbow Brite was a character franchise introduced by Hallmark Cards in 1983, with the animated television series starting the following year....
(1983)- joint chief director
- The Mighty OrbotsThe Mighty Orbotsis an American/Japanese Super robot animated series created in a joint collaboration of TMS Entertainment and Intermedia Entertainment in association with MGM/UA Television. It was directed by veteran anime director Osamu Dezaki and features character designs by Akio Sugino...
(1984)- chief director
- Bionic SixBionic SixBionic Six is an American/Japanese animated television series from 1987, produced by TMS Entertainment and distributed by MCA TV...
(1987)- chief director
- Visionaries: Knights of the Magical LightVisionaries: Knights of the Magical LightVisionaries: Knights of the Magical Light was originally a range of action figures from Hasbro, released in 1987. This action figure range was promoted by two different media, telling the stories of the characters...
(1987)- creative consultant
- Oniisama e (1991–1992)
- chief director
- The Old Testament story of Osamu Tezuka (1997)
- Hakugei: Legend of the Moby DickHakugei: Legend of the Moby Dickis an animated Japanese television series, based on Herman Melville's original novel Moby-Dick. However, this adaptation used futuristic outer space as the setting, with "whales" being large abandoned spaceships instead. It aired from 1997 to 1999, albeit with a suspension of new episodes from...
(Herman MelvilleHerman MelvilleHerman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd....
’s novel Moby-DickMoby-DickMoby-Dick; or, The Whale, was written by American author Herman Melville and first published in 1851. It is considered by some to be a Great American Novel and a treasure of world literature. The story tells the adventures of wandering sailor Ishmael, and his voyage on the whaleship Pequod,...
influenced this series.) (1997-1999)- original bill, chief director
- The Snow QueenThe Snow Queen (anime)is an anime television series based on the children's story of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. It is directed by Osamu Dezaki and animated by TMS Entertainment...
(based on Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
's fairy tale, The Snow QueenThe Snow QueenThe Snow Queen is a fairy tale by author Hans Christian Andersen . The tale was first published in 1845, and centers on the struggle between good and evil as experienced by a little boy and girl, Kai and Gerda....
. (2005-2006)- chief director, storyboard
- Ultraviolet: Code 044Ultraviolet: Code 044is an anime series loosely based on the 2006 science fiction film, Ultraviolet written and directed by Kurt Wimmer.The show was produced by the anime studio Madhouse and was directed by Osamu Dezaki.-Plot:...
(2008)- chief director, screenplay, storyboard
- Genji Monogatari SennenkiGenji Monogatari Sennenkiis a Japanese anime adaptation of The Tale of Genji. Originally, it was meant to be an anime adaptation of Waki Yamato's The Tale of Genji manga, but the director decided to make it a direct adaptation of the original tale. The anime is directed by Osamu Dezaki. The series premiered on Fuji TV on...
, 源氏物語千年紀 (2009, based on Genji Monogatari by Murasaki ShikibuMurasaki ShikibuMurasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1012...
.)- chief director, screenplay
Television anime special programs
- BotchanBotchanBotchan is a novel written by Natsume Sōseki in 1906. It is considered to be one of the most popular novels in Japan, read by most Japanese during their childhood. The central theme of the story is morality.-Narrative:...
(June 13, 1980) – supervisor - Lupin the 3rd (TV special) – chief director
- Bye-Bye Liberty Crisis (April 1, 1989)
- Mystery of the Hemingway Papers (July 20, 1990)
- Steal Napoleon's Dictionary! (August 9, 1991)
- From Russia With Love (July 24, 1992)
- The Pursuit of Harimao's Treasure (August 4, 1995)
- Koushi-den (孔子傳) (Confucius tradition) (October 15, 1995) (coproduction of JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
and Chinese TaipeiChinese TaipeiChinese Taipei is the designated name used by the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, to participate in some international organizations and almost all sporting events, such as the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and Asian Para Games...
) – chief director
Original video animations
- Aim for the Ace! 2 / Ace o Nerae! 2 (1988)
- total supervisor, storyboard (as Saki Makura)
- One-Pound GospelOne-Pound Gospelis a manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi, author of Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, and InuYasha. The series was serialized periodically in Weekly Young Sunday from issue 9 in 1987 to issue 3/4 in 2007. Released in North America by Viz Media, it is a fusion of the sports and romantic comedy genres...
(1988)- chief director (as Saki Makura)
- Sinter starlit night music (華星夜曲) (1989)
- chief director
- Aim for the Ace! / Ace o Nerae! Final Stage (1989–1990)
- chief director
- B.B.B.B. (manga)B.B. is a shōnen manga by Osamu Ishiwata. The manga ran in Shōnen Sunday from 1985 issue 24 to 1991 issue 9. The title stands for "Burning Blood" and Ishiwata's subsequent serial LOVe was a continuation of this series...
(1990–1991)- chief director
- Syura-no-suke Zan-ma-ken･Shirenmon no Otoko (修羅之介斬魔剣・死鎌紋の男) (1990)
- chief director
- Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon KingsSohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kingsis a set of novels based loosely on Chinese mythology.It was written by Yoshiki Tanaka in collaboration with Japanese illustrator Yoshitaka Amano and manga artist group Clamp . It is written with a humorous and satirical tone...
(1991–1993)- chief director
- Treasure Island (Takarajima) Memorial, The man who was called an "evening calm" (宝島メモリアル 夕凪と呼ばれた男) (1992)
- chief director
- Golgo 13 : Queen BeeGolgo 13is a manga series written and illustrated by Takao Saito, published in Shogakukan's Big Comic magazine since January 1969. In 1976, the manga won the 21st Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga...
(1998)- chief director
- Black JackBlack Jack (manga)is a manga written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka in the 1970s, dealing with the medical adventures of the title character, doctor Black Jack....
(1993–2000)- chief director
- Patient's record I: Drift ice, the man of the chimera (the original: Hurricane)
- Patient's record II: Funeral procession game (an original story)
- Patient's record III: Decoration of Maria (the original: Promise)
- Patient's record Iv: Sitophobia, Two Black Doctors (the original: Two Black Doctors)
- Patient's record V: Owl of San Mérida (the original: Instant that passed away)
- Patient's record VI: Snowy bedtime story, Princess of love (an original story)
- Patient's record VII: White justice (the original: White justice)
- Patient's record VIII: Green thought (the original: Bud, Old man and Tree)
- Patient's record IX: Eczema of the human face (the original: Eczema of the human face)
- Patient's record X: Woman who is depressed (the original: Woman who is depressed)
Movies
- A Thousand & One NightsOne Thousand and One Arabian Nights (film)is a 1969 anime feature film directed by Eiichi Yamamoto, conceived by Osamu Tezuka. The film is part of Mushi Production's Animerama, a series of films aimed at an adult audience....
(June 14, 1969)- animator
- BelladonnaKanashimi no Belladonna, also known as "The Tragedy of Belladonna", is a 1973 feature film produced by the Japanese animation studio Mushi Production and distributor Nippon Herald Films...
(June 30, 1973)- key animator
- Aim for the Ace! The Movie: Jump High, Hiromi! (September 8, 1979)
- chief director
- Tomorrow's Joe: The MovieTomorrow's Joeis a critically acclaimed boxing manga written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba in 1968 that was later adapted into an anime series and movie. It is most commonly referred to as Ashita no Joe. Outside Japan it is also referred to as Rocky Joe or Joe...
(March 8, 1980)- chief director
- Nobody's Child/Ie Naki Ko: The MovieIe Naki Kois a Japanese anime series by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. The story is based upon French author Hector Malot's novel Sans Famille in France. The anime is well known in Latin America, Quebec, France, Italy, the Arab world, Indonesia and the Philippines by the name of Remi.A movie version by the same studio...
(March 15, 1980)- chief director
- Tomorrow's Joe: The MovieTomorrow's Joeis a critically acclaimed boxing manga written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba in 1968 that was later adapted into an anime series and movie. It is most commonly referred to as Ashita no Joe. Outside Japan it is also referred to as Rocky Joe or Joe...
(July 18, 1981)- chief director and screenplay
- Space Adventure CobraSpace Adventure Cobrais a space-opera manga series written and illustrated by Buichi Terasawa of the Black Sheep studio. The serialized form of Cobra originally appeared the Japanese shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump during 1978–1984...
(July 3, 1982)- chief director
- Golgo 13: The ProfessionalGolgo 13: The ProfessionalGolgo 13: The Professional is a Japanese animated film adaptation of the Golgo 13 manga series released May 28, 1983 by Tokyo Movie Shinsha...
(May 28, 1983)- chief director
- 冒険者たち ガンバと7匹のなかま Bōkensya-tachi Ganba to 7hiki no Nakama / Venturers "Gamba and seven friends" (Ganba no Bōken: The Movie, March 4, 1984)
- chief director
- Treasure Island (Takarajima): The Movie (May 9, 1987)
- chief director
- Black Jack: The MovieBlack Jack (manga)is a manga written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka in the 1970s, dealing with the medical adventures of the title character, doctor Black Jack....
(November 30, 1996)- chief director
- Hamtaro: The Movie
- chief director
- Hamu Hamu Rando Daibōken/Adventures in Ham-Ham Land (December 15, 2001)
- Hamu Hamu Hamu Maboroshi no Purincess/Princess of Vision (December 14, 2002)
- Hamu Hamu Guran Purin/Ham-Ham Grand Prix (December 13, 2003)
- Hamutaro to Fushigi no Oni no Ehon Tō/Hamtaro and the Mysterious Ogre's Picture Book Tower (December 23, 2004)
- AirAir (film)Air is a 2005 Japanese animated drama film directed by Osamu Dezaki and written by Makoto Nakamura based on the visual novel Air by Key. Originally, the film was set for a release date in autumn 2004, but was delayed; the film finally premiered in Japanese theaters on February 5, 2005...
(February 5, 2005)- chief director
- ClannadClannad (film)is a Japanese anime film directed by Osamu Dezaki and based on the visual novel of the same name by Key. Toei Animation announced at the Tokyo Anime Fair on March 23, 2006 that an animated film would be produced, and was released in Japanese theaters on September 15, 2007...
(September 15, 2007)- chief director