Shoichi Masuo

Director

February 24, 1960 (57 years)

† July 24, 2017

Tōkyō, Japan

Biography

Shōichi Masuo was a Japanese animator, animation director, and director renowned for his contributions to the anime industry. He began his career in the late 1970s and became known for his work on series such as Gunbuster (1988) and Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), where he served as an animation director and key animator. Masuo was acclaimed for his dynamic action sequences and mechanical designs. In addition to his animation work, he directed the OVA series Aim for the Top 2! (2004). Masuo's in…

Filmography

8.6

Neon Genesis Evangelion

At the turn of the century, the Angels returned to Earth, seeking to wipe out humanity in an apocalyptic fury. Devastated, mankind's last remnants moved underground to wait for the day when the Angels would come back to finish the job. Fifteen years later, that day has come... but this time, humanity is ready to fight back with terrifying bio-mechanical weapons known as the Evangelions. Watch as Shinji, Rei, Asuka and the rest of the mysterious shadow agency Nerv battle to save earth from total annihilation.

7.5

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

In mankind's grasp for the future, a sinister foe known only as Gargoyle begins his plans to take over the world. Nadia, with the help of a young inventor, Jean Ratlique, and Captain Nemo of the submarine Nautilus, must fight to save the world from Gargoyle and Neo-Atlantis.

7.7

Gunbuster

In the near future, humanity has taken its first steps towards journeying into the far reaches of the galaxy. Upon doing so they discover a huge race of insectoid aliens known as "Space Monsters." These aliens seem dedicated to the eradication of mankind as they near closer and closer to discovering Earth. In response, humanity develops giant fighting robots piloted by hand-picked youth from around the world. Shortly after the discovery of the aliens, Noriko Takaya, the daughter of a famous deceased space captain, enters a training school despite her questionable talents as a pilot. There, she meets her polar opposite, the beautiful and talented Kazumi Amano, and is unexpectedly made to work together with her as they attempt to overcome the trauma of war as well as their own emotions.

8.4

Baby and Me

Young Takuya has it tough. After his mother passed away it has been his job to take care of his baby brother, Minoru while their father, Harumi, works the long hours of a Japanese salaryman. Takuya must sacrifice the playtime usually associated with childhood for the responsibilities of an adult. Cooking, cleaning, sewing and scolding are all now an integral part of the young boy's life. "All work and no play" has Takuya incredibly frustrated and resentful of his little brother. Will Takuya find it in his heart to love the brother who is causing him so much grief?

7.0

All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku

Ryunosuke has an interesting life for a teen-aged boy. His mother runs a weapons company, his father is an incredible inventor that's on the run from his divorced wife. And his companion is schoolgirl/android with the brains of a cat he found on Christmas Eve while being attacked by his mom's crew. Nuku Nuku was adapted from its manga origins a few times, and this one is the best and shortest of those attempts.

7.4

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth

Originally a collection of clips from the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series, Death was created as a precursor to the re-worked ending of the series. Rebirth was intended as that re-worked ending, but after production overruns Rebirth became only the first half of the first part of The End of Evangelion, with some minor differences.

1.2

Submarine 707R

To combat the terrorist organization known as "USR", eleven countries combine their naval forces to form the Peace-Keeping Navy. However, all hell breaks loose when Admiral Red and his USR submarine UX crash the PKN's inaugural ceremony and destroy majority of the fleet. At the last minute, when the UX lands the final blow on the aircraft carrier Apollo-Norm, the obsolete Japanese submarine 707 appears from out of nowhere and sacrifices itself to save the PKN flagship. Six months later, Captain Youhei Hayami is called back to duty to lead a new group of recruits and captain an all-new 707 in the war against terrorism underwater.

6.0

Otaku no Video

A mockumentary featuring an animated tale of an average person who slowly becomes an otaku (obsessive fanatic) and eventually becomes the "Otaking"! Between story segments, live action interviews with fictional die-hard otakus take place.

7.7

Revival of Evangelion

Revival of Evangelion is a re-edit of the Neon Genesis Evangelion films , released in 1998. It consists of Evangelion: Death (which was essentially a clip show that summarized the entire regular series) and The End of Evangelion , re-edited together to make a version that tells the entire story of Evangelion. It is considered to be the final form of the Evangelion films.

6.7

EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)²

A highly experimental film presenting a story out of chronological order taking place 15 years after a near-apocalyptic catastrophe, about four traumatized 14 year olds who are tasked with piloting massive humanoid decisive weapons called Evangelion, the psychologically maladjusted adults who handle and command them, and the events and forces that affect them or which they take part in as they engage massive hostile invaders known as "Angels."

6.9

Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise

On a future Earth, war between the Kingdom of Honneamise and its rival, The Republic, is inevitable. As evolving technology creates new ways to wage war, a small group seeks to propel mankind into space in their world’s first spaceflight program. For astronaut candidate Shirotsugh Lhadatt, it’s a personal odyssey as he grows from an aimless young man into a leader willing to put everything on the line in order to move the human race forward and away from the brink of Armageddon.

5.8

Project A-Ko 3: Cinderella Rhapsody

It revolves around A-Ko and B-ko's pursuit of a handsome stud named Kay. He likes coke and motorcycles and is quietly courted by both A-ko and B-ko. Meanwhile, C-ko grows very jealous of him... Also meanwhile, the aliens' ship in now floating in the bay and they've tried again to turn it into the ultimate nightspot. Good luck. Catastrophe always occurs when the three 'Ko's get together

5.7

Otaku no Video

A hilarious mockumentary featuring an animated tale of an average person who slowly becomes an otaku (obsessive fanatic) and eventually becomes the "Otaking"! Between story segments, live action interviews with fictional die-hard otakus take place.

7.2

Gunbuster: The Movie

Noriko Takaya's dream is to become a space pilot like her father, who died when she was young after an attack by alien forces in deep space. After entering Okinawa Girls Space Pilot High School, she must persuade everyone, especially herself, that she can fulfill her goal and become an accomplished pilot despite being just an ordinary girl.

6.3

Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie

This double feature comprises of "Gunbuster" and "Diebuster" (aka "Gunbuster 2") condensed into a single theatrical release told in two parts with a musical intermission in between. The 95-minute "Aim for the Top! Gunbuster" movie is a compilation of the original 6-episode Gunbuster OVA, where man first meets the insect aliens and builds fighting robots and huge battleships to combat them. Takaya Noriko and Amano Kazumi lead the fight, doing massive damage to the insect's world. The 100-minute "Aim for the Top 2! Diebuster" movie completes the series, with country girl Nono leading the "Topless" fighters to protect Earth from the invading insects.

N/A

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story II

The second specially edited memorial episode featuring Jean’s narration. This is a breath-taking sea adventure action animation. The story centers on a series of critical battles by the indestructible submarine, Nautilus and the conflict between Captain Nemo and the Gargoyle. It’s a shorter, more streamlined version of Nadia called "The Nautilus Story", which all but eliminates the filler arc and concentrates on the struggle between Nemo and Gargoyle. Some scenes in the more pivotal episodes are cut as well. The compilation series was made by Hideaki Anno, who was said to have been dissatisfied with the final result of the TV show. The Nautilus Story was only released in Japan on VHS and laserdisc.

N/A

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story I

The first specially edited memorial episode featuring Jean’s narration. This is a breath-taking sea adventure action animation. The story centers on a series of critical battles by the indestructible submarine, Nautilus and the conflict between Captain Nemo and the Gargoyle. It’s a shorter, more streamlined version of Nadia called "The Nautilus Story", which all but eliminates the filler arc and concentrates on the struggle between Nemo and Gargoyle. Some scenes in the more pivotal episodes are cut as well. The compilation series was made by Hideaki Anno, who was said to have been dissatisfied with the final result of the TV show. The Nautilus Story was only released in Japan on VHS and laserdisc.

4.3

Crimson Wolf

An archaeological expedition finds the mummified bodies of Genghis Khan and his army somewhere in Mongolia. Unaware that the location is cursed, the explorers wake up the former ruler of the Mongolian empire. He warns the intruders that a large calamity will befall the world in one thousand days. The only ones who can prevent this from happening are three persons who bear wolf-shaped arrow scars. They must join forces and kill the "three emperors" so that the Khan's soul can once again sleep for a thousand years.

6.4

Submarine 707 Revolution

A high-tech terrorist plagues the ocean... To counter the subversive activities of the USR, a shadowy terrorist group menacing the seas, the leading nations of the world join forces to form the Peace Keeping Navy (PKN). Its inauguration ceremony, however, quickly turns into disaster as Admiral Red, charismatic leader of the USR, launches a surprise attack on the PKN. With fi erce fi repower, Red lets his intentions be known that he will destroy anything that gets in the way of his twisted vision of an ideal future... Dive into this exciting deep-sea military action-adventure thriller, as Captain Hayami and the crew of the 707 try to outwit Admiral Red's gargantuan nuclear submarine!

4.0

Otaku no Video 1982

Part 1 of a mockumentary featuring an animated tale of an average person who slowly becomes an otaku (obsessive fanatic) and eventually becomes the “Otaking”! Between story segments, live action interviews with fictional die-hard otakus take place.