Hiroaki Sakurai

is a Japanese anime director and bassist who is known for his work with the Di Gi Charat series and UFO Baby. He has served as the director for series such as Nanaka 6/17, Cromartie High School, Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette, GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class, Maid Sama!, Nekogami Yaoyorozu, Jewelpet Happiness, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., and The Demon Girl Next Door. He is married to Sayuri Ōba, an anime screenwriter.

Career Sakurai was in college for 5 and a half years and spent his time playing in bands and bassist auditions. One day, he suddenly became interested in animation, and after graduating from the department of literature and science at Nihon University, he worked at Yoyogi Animation Academy and joined Studio World, which was looking for assistant directors, at the age of 25. The first work he was involved in as an assistant director was Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and the first time his name appeared in the credits was in Yoroshiku Mechadock. When he was in charge of Mechadock, Masayuki Kojima and Ken Baba served as his seniors. In the spring of 1988, Studio World disbanded and Sakurai moved to Film Magic, which was founded by Baba. In the middle of Akazukin Chacha, Film Magic went bankrupt due to reasons mentioned below, and after that he went freelance.

Style According to Hatsuki Tsuji, Sakurai is described as someone who has good qualities, but who can be conceited. He often uses voice actors such as Mika Kanai and Kaori Nazuka in his directorial projects.

Inspired by the direction of Akitaro Daichi and Tatsuo Sato, who were part of Akazukin Chachas rotation of directors, Sakurai was too elaborate in his direction and was unable to adhere to the limited number of sheets, resulting in constant deficits and driving Film Magic into bankruptcy. However, Takaaki Wada, who was in charge of key animation in certain episodes, claims that Sakurai, Wada and the other animators ignored the president's advice and got carried away, and that the bankruptcy was their own fault.

Sakurai is known for his love of the ukulele and for carrying one with him at all times, even to the studios. In addition, the soundtrack for Cromartie High School features music by the progressive rock band Bi Kyo Ran, who are from the same town as him and of whom he was a fan for many years, and also worked with the band as a bassist, later becoming a full member. He also played bass in the opening song "Dynamite★I-N-G" for TV Tokyo's Di Gi Charat Nyo! and performed a solo part. He stated that he had nine left-handed basses at the time.

Filmography Anime Year Title Crew role Notes Source Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san Assistant director Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl Assistant director –04 Cromartie High School Director Sweet Valerian Director Majokko Tsukune-chan Director OVA series Winter Garden Screenplay, Director Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette Director Chopper Man Director Also specials and OVAs GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class Director Also OVA in 2010 Maid Sama! Director Also OVAs Nekogami Yaoyorozu Director Also OVA –14 Jewelpet Happiness Director –19 The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Director Also Special & ONA –22 The Demon Girl Next Door Director –22 Mewkledreamy Director Also Mix! in 2021 Reiwa no Di Gi Charat Director The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Director Multi-Mind Mayhem Director

Film Year Title Crew role Notes Source Gekijōban Tantei Opera Milky Holmes ~Gyakushū no Milky Holmes~ Director