Toshio Okada
Encyclopedia
is an anime
producer, author, and lecturer. He is a co-founder and former president of the production company Gainax
.
.
He has written several Japanese-language books on otaku
culture, and lectured on the topic as an adjunct instructor at University of Tokyo
from 1992 to 1997. He is considered the foremost authority on otaku
and in addition, in a tribute to his own otaku-ness has been crowned "OtaKing" amongst his colleagues and fellow otaku.
to learn computer in 1978, but he could not obtain any credits in the first year because he had forgotten to hand in his course registration form. For this reason, he stopped completing all the courses necessary for a university degree, and he joined a group of SF fans and went into its activity. He lived on a monthly allowance from his parents who did not know his dropping out. In the same year, he went seeing Star Wars
with dressing in costume of Darth Vader
.
In 1981, his group promoted 20th Japanese SF convention
(aka Daicon III), and he put "DAICON III Opening Animation" on the screen. Okada and Yasuhiro Takeda
and their group established "Daicon Film" as an anime producing team and commissioned undergraduates of Osaka University of Arts
to produce DAICON III and IV Opening Animations
for SF convention. Hideaki Annno and Takai Akami and Hiroyuki Yamaga
who were undergraduates of that university worked for those animations.
Okada realized that selling products of SF can be business because Garage kit
s and videos of opening animations he sold at this convention made a big profit.
In 1981, he was formally expelled from his university.
On February 14, 1982, he opened "General Products" as a part of his parents company to sell SF Goods in Osaka. Before opening his shop, he borrowed money from his parents and got permission to use term of general products from Larry Niven
. In this year, he got married.
as an Anime studio and isolated Genaral Products from his parents company. Okada assumed office as CEO of Gainax and Yasuhiro Takeda
assumed office as CEO of General Products.
In 1989, Okada's first child was born as a daughter.
In 1992, Okada retired from Gainax.
! style="width: 25%;"|Title
! style="width: 15%;"|Year
! style="width: 60%;"|Post
|-
| Daicon III Opening Film
| 1981
| Planner
|-
| Daicon IV Opening Film
| 1983
| Planner
|-
| Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise
| 1987
| Planner
|-
| Gunbuster
| 1988
| Scriptwriter
|-
| Otaku no Video
| 1991
| ScriptwriterPlanner
|-
|-
! Japanese Title
! English Title
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| ぼくたちの洗脳社会
Bokutachi No Sennou Shakai
| Our Brainwashing Society
| 1995
| ISBN 4022612444
|-
| オタク学入門
Otaku-gaku Nyumon
| Introduction to Otakuology
| 1996
| ISBN 4102900195
|-
| 東大オタク学講座
Toudai Otaku-gaku Kouza
| University of Tokyo Otaku Studies Course
| 1997
| ISBN 4062082926
|-
| 国際おたく大学 1998年 最前線からの研究報告
Kokusai Otaku-gaku 1998-nen Saizensen Kara No Kenkyuuhoukusha
| International Otaku Studies: 1998 Report From The Front Line
| 1998
| ISBN 4334971822
|-
| 失われた未来
Ushinawareta Mirai
| Lost Future
| 2000
| ISBN 4620314501
|-
| フロン 結婚生活・19の絶対法則
Furon Kekkon Seikatsu: 19 No Zettai Housoku
| Furon Married Life: 19 Absolute Rules
| 2001
| ISBN 4907727194
|-
| 日本オタク大賞
Nippon Otaku Taishou
| Japan Otaku Award
| 2003
| ISBN 4594039006
|-
| 恋愛自由市場主義宣言!—確実に「ラブ」と「セックス」を手に入れる鉄則
Renai Jyuushijyou Shuki Senken! Kakujitsu Ni "Rabu" To "Sekkusu" Wo Te Ni Ireru Tessoku
| Declaration of Love's Free-market Principles! Absolute Rules Certain To Obtain "Love" and "Sex"
| 2003
| ISBN 4821108429
|-
| プチクリ!—好き=才能!
Puchikuri Suki = Sainou!
| Little Creator: Love = Talent!
| 2005
| ISBN 4344010825
|-
| 世界征服」は可能か?
Sekaiseifuku Wa Kanouka?
| Is World Conquest Possible?
| 2007
| ISBN 4480687629
|-
| いつまでもデブと思うなよ
Itsu Made Mo Debu To Omou Na Yo
| Don't Think You Have To Be Fat Forever
| 2007
| ISBN 4106102277
|-
| オタクはすでに死んでいる
Otaku Wa Sude Ni Shindeiru
| You Otaku Are Already Dead
| 2008
| ISBN 4106102587
|}
! style="width: 25%;"|Title
! style="width: 15%;"|Year
! style="width: 60%;"|Post
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School
| 1989
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School Scenario I Ver2.0
| 1989
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School II
| 1989
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School III
| 1990
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School IV
| 1991
| Planner
|-
! style="width: 25%;"|Title
! style="width: 15%;"|Year
! style="width: 60%;"|Post
|-
| Aikoku Sentai Dai Nippon
| 1982
| Scriptwriter
|-
| Kaiketsu Noutenki
| 1982
| Actor (as Goro Asuka )
|-
| The Return of Ultraman
| 1983
| Scriptwriter
|-
| Noutenki in USA
| 1984
| Director
|-
! style="width: 25%;"|Post
! style="width: 15%;"|Period
! style="width: 60%;"|Organization
|-
| Shop manager
| 1982–1984
| General Products
|-
| President
| 1984–1992
| Gainax Company, Limited
|-
| Visiting scholar
| 2005-current
| Character Creative Arts Depertment, Osaka University of Arts
|-
| Lecturer
| 2003
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology
|-
| President
| 1997-current
| Otaking Co,.Ltd
|-
| Part‐time teacher
| 1994–1995
| College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo
|-
| President
| 2011-current
| Cloud City Co,.Ltd
|-
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....
producer, author, and lecturer. He is a co-founder and former president of the production company Gainax
Gainax
is a Japanese anime studio famous for productions such as Gunbuster, The Wings of Honneamise, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann which have gone on to critical acclaim and commercial success, as well as for their association with...
.
Childhood
Okada was born on July 1, 1958 in Osaka, Japan and attended Osaka University of ArtsOsaka University of Arts
is a private arts university located in Kanan, Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The university was founded in 1945 as , changing its name to in 1957, and then to in 1964...
.
He has written several Japanese-language books on otaku
Otaku
is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga or video games.- Etymology :Otaku is derived from a Japanese term for another's house or family , which is also used as an honorific second-person pronoun...
culture, and lectured on the topic as an adjunct instructor at University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
from 1992 to 1997. He is considered the foremost authority on otaku
Otaku
is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga or video games.- Etymology :Otaku is derived from a Japanese term for another's house or family , which is also used as an honorific second-person pronoun...
and in addition, in a tribute to his own otaku-ness has been crowned "OtaKing" amongst his colleagues and fellow otaku.
University, Daicon Film and General Products
Okada was admitted to Osaka Electro-Communication UniversityOsaka Electro-Communication University
, OECU is a private university in Japan. The main campus is located in Neyagawa-shi, Osaka Prefecture.-History:The predecessor of the school was founded in 1924, and it was chartered as a university in 1961.*In 1924, was established....
to learn computer in 1978, but he could not obtain any credits in the first year because he had forgotten to hand in his course registration form. For this reason, he stopped completing all the courses necessary for a university degree, and he joined a group of SF fans and went into its activity. He lived on a monthly allowance from his parents who did not know his dropping out. In the same year, he went seeing Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
with dressing in costume of Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
.
In 1981, his group promoted 20th Japanese SF convention
Nihon SF Taikai
The is an annual science fiction convention held in Japan. Each of these conventions is officially the , but they are more popularly known by the official nicknames given to them based on their locations, e.g. TOKON or DAICON .Each year the Nihon SF Taikai attracts between 1,000 and 1,500 science...
(aka Daicon III), and he put "DAICON III Opening Animation" on the screen. Okada and Yasuhiro Takeda
Yasuhiro Takeda
is a Japanese anime director and founding member of Gainax; for most of his career, he was General Manager. He is also a two-time chair of the Nihon SF Taikai...
and their group established "Daicon Film" as an anime producing team and commissioned undergraduates of Osaka University of Arts
Osaka University of Arts
is a private arts university located in Kanan, Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The university was founded in 1945 as , changing its name to in 1957, and then to in 1964...
to produce DAICON III and IV Opening Animations
DAICON III and IV Opening Animations
The DAICON III and IV Opening Animations are two short, anime, 8 mm films that were produced for the 1981 DAICON III and 1983 DAICON IV Nihon SF Taikai conventions. They were produced by a group of amateur animators known as DAICON Film, who would later go on to form the animation studio Gainax...
for SF convention. Hideaki Annno and Takai Akami and Hiroyuki Yamaga
Hiroyuki Yamaga
is a founding member of the Japanese animation studio Gainax, and a anime director. He wrote the screenplay for Gundam 0080 . He is best known for directing the film "Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise" at age 24, directing Mahoromatic & Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi , and an episode...
who were undergraduates of that university worked for those animations.
Okada realized that selling products of SF can be business because Garage kit
Garage kit
A garage kit or resin kit is an assembly scale model kit most commonly cast in polyurethane resin. They are often figures portraying humans or other living creatures. In Japan, kits often depict anime characters, and in the United States depictions of movie monsters are common...
s and videos of opening animations he sold at this convention made a big profit.
In 1981, he was formally expelled from his university.
On February 14, 1982, he opened "General Products" as a part of his parents company to sell SF Goods in Osaka. Before opening his shop, he borrowed money from his parents and got permission to use term of general products from Larry Niven
Larry Niven
Laurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
. In this year, he got married.
Gainax
In 1986, he established GainaxGainax
is a Japanese anime studio famous for productions such as Gunbuster, The Wings of Honneamise, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann which have gone on to critical acclaim and commercial success, as well as for their association with...
as an Anime studio and isolated Genaral Products from his parents company. Okada assumed office as CEO of Gainax and Yasuhiro Takeda
Yasuhiro Takeda
is a Japanese anime director and founding member of Gainax; for most of his career, he was General Manager. He is also a two-time chair of the Nihon SF Taikai...
assumed office as CEO of General Products.
In 1989, Okada's first child was born as a daughter.
In 1992, Okada retired from Gainax.
Anime
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: small; width: 100%; text-align: left;"! style="width: 25%;"|Title
! style="width: 15%;"|Year
! style="width: 60%;"|Post
|-
| Daicon III Opening Film
DAICON III and IV Opening Animations
The DAICON III and IV Opening Animations are two short, anime, 8 mm films that were produced for the 1981 DAICON III and 1983 DAICON IV Nihon SF Taikai conventions. They were produced by a group of amateur animators known as DAICON Film, who would later go on to form the animation studio Gainax...
| 1981
| Planner
|-
| Daicon IV Opening Film
DAICON III and IV Opening Animations
The DAICON III and IV Opening Animations are two short, anime, 8 mm films that were produced for the 1981 DAICON III and 1983 DAICON IV Nihon SF Taikai conventions. They were produced by a group of amateur animators known as DAICON Film, who would later go on to form the animation studio Gainax...
| 1983
| Planner
|-
| Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise
is a 1987 Japanese animated science fiction film and the first film produced by Gainax and Bandai Visual. It was directed and written by Hiroyuki Yamaga with assistant director Takami Akai. The film would eventually be a critically acclaimed Gainax classic, but it was poorly received and sold only...
| 1987
| Planner
|-
| Gunbuster
Gunbuster
Gunbuster, known in Japan as is a six episode anime OVA series created by Gainax in 1988. It was the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno, best known as the director of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The title is a combination of the titles of classic tennis anime Aim for the Ace!, whose plot inspired...
| 1988
| Scriptwriter
|-
| Otaku no Video
Otaku no Video
is a 1991 comedy anime spoofing the life and culture of otaku, individuals with obsessive interests in media, particularly anime and manga, as well as the history of Gainax, its creators. It is noted for its mix of conventional documentary film styles , with a more traditional anime storytelling...
| 1991
| ScriptwriterPlanner
|-
Books
{| class="wikitable"|-
! Japanese Title
! English Title
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| ぼくたちの洗脳社会
Bokutachi No Sennou Shakai
| Our Brainwashing Society
| 1995
| ISBN 4022612444
|-
| オタク学入門
Otaku-gaku Nyumon
| Introduction to Otakuology
| 1996
| ISBN 4102900195
|-
| 東大オタク学講座
Toudai Otaku-gaku Kouza
| University of Tokyo Otaku Studies Course
| 1997
| ISBN 4062082926
|-
| 国際おたく大学 1998年 最前線からの研究報告
Kokusai Otaku-gaku 1998-nen Saizensen Kara No Kenkyuuhoukusha
| International Otaku Studies: 1998 Report From The Front Line
| 1998
| ISBN 4334971822
|-
| 失われた未来
Ushinawareta Mirai
| Lost Future
| 2000
| ISBN 4620314501
|-
| フロン 結婚生活・19の絶対法則
Furon Kekkon Seikatsu: 19 No Zettai Housoku
| Furon Married Life: 19 Absolute Rules
| 2001
| ISBN 4907727194
|-
| 日本オタク大賞
Nippon Otaku Taishou
| Japan Otaku Award
| 2003
| ISBN 4594039006
|-
| 恋愛自由市場主義宣言!—確実に「ラブ」と「セックス」を手に入れる鉄則
Renai Jyuushijyou Shuki Senken! Kakujitsu Ni "Rabu" To "Sekkusu" Wo Te Ni Ireru Tessoku
| Declaration of Love's Free-market Principles! Absolute Rules Certain To Obtain "Love" and "Sex"
| 2003
| ISBN 4821108429
|-
| プチクリ!—好き=才能!
Puchikuri Suki = Sainou!
| Little Creator: Love = Talent!
| 2005
| ISBN 4344010825
|-
| 世界征服」は可能か?
Sekaiseifuku Wa Kanouka?
| Is World Conquest Possible?
| 2007
| ISBN 4480687629
|-
| いつまでもデブと思うなよ
Itsu Made Mo Debu To Omou Na Yo
| Don't Think You Have To Be Fat Forever
| 2007
| ISBN 4106102277
|-
| オタクはすでに死んでいる
Otaku Wa Sude Ni Shindeiru
| You Otaku Are Already Dead
| 2008
| ISBN 4106102587
|}
Video games
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: small; width: 100%; text-align: left;"! style="width: 25%;"|Title
! style="width: 15%;"|Year
! style="width: 60%;"|Post
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School
| 1989
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School Scenario I Ver2.0
| 1989
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School II
| 1989
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School III
| 1990
| Planner
|-
| Cybernetic Hi-School IV
| 1991
| Planner
|-
Movie
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: small; width: 100%; text-align: left;"! style="width: 25%;"|Title
! style="width: 15%;"|Year
! style="width: 60%;"|Post
|-
| Aikoku Sentai Dai Nippon
| 1982
| Scriptwriter
|-
| Kaiketsu Noutenki
| 1982
| Actor (as Goro Asuka )
|-
| The Return of Ultraman
| 1983
| Scriptwriter
|-
| Noutenki in USA
| 1984
| Director
|-
Career
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: small; width: 100%; text-align: left;"! style="width: 25%;"|Post
! style="width: 15%;"|Period
! style="width: 60%;"|Organization
|-
| Shop manager
| 1982–1984
| General Products
|-
| President
| 1984–1992
| Gainax Company, Limited
Gainax
is a Japanese anime studio famous for productions such as Gunbuster, The Wings of Honneamise, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann which have gone on to critical acclaim and commercial success, as well as for their association with...
|-
| Visiting scholar
| 2005-current
| Character Creative Arts Depertment, Osaka University of Arts
Osaka University of Arts
is a private arts university located in Kanan, Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The university was founded in 1945 as , changing its name to in 1957, and then to in 1964...
|-
| Lecturer
| 2003
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
|-
| President
| 1997-current
| Otaking Co,.Ltd
|-
| Part‐time teacher
| 1994–1995
| College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
|-
| President
| 2011-current
| Cloud City Co,.Ltd
|-
External links
Otaking Space Port: Toshio Okada On The Web- A Review of "You Otaku Are Already Dead"
- Return of the Otaking: Toshio Okada at Anime America '96 -(introduction)
- "Conscience of the Otaking" -(4-part 1995/1996 Animerica interview)