Masami Hata

is a Japanese animator and director known for his contributions to television and theatrical animation.

Biography Born in 1942 in Taihoku (now Taipei) during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, Masami Hata was raised in Japan's Toyama Prefecture.

Hata began his career in 1965 as an animator at Mushi Production, directing episodes of Wonder 3 (The Amazing 3). During his time at Mushi Production, he also contributed to other notable series, including Ribbon no Kishi (Princess Knight) and Ashita no Joe.

Following the closure of Mushi Production in 1973, Hata briefly worked with Tokyo Movie Shinsha, where he provided storyboards and directed episodes for various television series. In 1975, he joined Sanrio as the company expanded into animation production. During his tenure at Sanrio, which lasted for over a decade, Hata directed several feature-length animated films, including the 1978 film Ringing Bell, the 1981 film The Legend of Sirius, and the 1985 film Fairy Florence.

After the dissolution of Sanrio's animation division, Sanrio Films, in 1985, Hata continued his career as a freelance director and storyboard artist, contributing to a range of television series and theatrical productions across different studios.

Notably, Hata was selected as the co-director of the 1989 TMS film Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland along with William Hurtz after a lengthy production process. Before reaching him, the film passed through numerous other creative hands, including Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, Ray Bradbury, Chris Columbus, Brad Bird, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnson, Paul Julian, Jean "Mœbius" Giraud, and Brian Froud.

Filmography Title Year Role Wonder 3 1965 Script (ep 50), Episode Director (eps 28, 40, 50) Gokuu no Daibouken 1967 Episode Director Ribbon no Kishi 1967 Episode Director (ep 16) Wanpaku Tanteidan 1968 Episode Director Animal 1 1968 Episode Director (ep 2) Senya Ichiya Monogatari 1969 Key Animation Ashita no Joe 1970 Episode Director (eps 5, 14, 31, 74) Cleopatra 1970 Key Animation Andersen Monogatari (TV) 1971 Animation Director Kunimatsu-sama no Otoridai 1971 Episode Director Jungle Kurobee 1973 Storyboard (eps 3, 5, 9) Wansa-kun 1973 Episode Director (eps 2, 7, 13) Kouya no Shounen Isamu 1973 Storyboard Ace wo Nerae! 1973 Storyboard (eps 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 21, 23, 25) Judo Sanka 1974 Episode Director Hajime Ningen Gyatoruz 1974 Episode Director Manga Sekai Mukashibanashi 1976 Episode Director Jetter Mars 1977 Episode Director Chiisana Jumbo 1977 Episode Director Chirin no Suzu 1978 Director Animation Kikou: Marco Polo no Bouken 1979 Storyboard (ep 18) Hoshi no Orpheus 1979 Key Animation Sirius no Densetsu 1981 Director, Screenplay Yume no Hoshi no Button Nose 1985 Storyboard, Episode Director, Chief Animation Director Yousei Florence 1985 Director Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! 1986 Director Nayuta 1986 Director Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland 1989 Director Hello Kitty no Cinderella 1989 Chief Animation Director Kiki to Lala no Aoi Tori 1989 Director, Chief Animation Director My Melody no Akazukin 1989 Chief Animation Director Tezuka Osamu Monogatari: Boku wa Son Gokuu 1989 Director, Screenplay Kerokero Keroppi no Daibouken 1989 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Daibouken: Fushigi na Mame no Ki 1990 Director Hello Kitty: Mahou no Mori no Ohimesama 1991 Chief Animation Director, Screenplay Kerokero Keroppi no Sanjuushi 1991 Director (Chief), Screenplay Taabou no Ryuuguusei Daitanken 1991 Chief Animation Director Kerokero Keroppi no Soratobu Yume no Fune 1992 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Tomodachitte Ii na 1992 Director Yousei Dick 1992 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Ganbare! Keroppooz 1992 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Kyouryuu ga Deta 1992 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Christmas Eve no Okurimono 1992 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Bokura no Ohimesama 1992 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Tomodachi wa Mahoutsukai 1993 Director Kiki to Lala no Ohimesama ni Naritai 1993 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Yowamushi-ouji no Daibouken 1993 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Bouken: Pink no Kinoko 1993 Director Kiki to Lala no Hansel to Gretel 1993 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Gulliver no Bouken 1993 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Kero Kero House no Himitsu 1993 Director Kiki to Lala no Hakuchouza no Ohimesama 1993 Director Hello Kitty no Yume Dorobou 1993 Director Kiki to Lala no Hoshi no Dance Shoes 1993 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Robin Hood 1994 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Tomodachi ni Narou yo 1994 Director Hello Kitty no Alps no Shoujo Heidi II: Klara to no Deai 1994 Director Hello Kitty no Papa Nante Daikirai 1994 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Bokutachi no Takaramono 1994 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Sora wo Tobetara 1994 Director Kiki to Lala no Habatake! Pegasus 1994 Director Kiki to Lala no Papa to Mama ni Aitai 1994 Director, Screenplay Hello Kitty no Shoukoujo 1994 Director Hello Kitty no Shiawase no Tulip 1995 Director Ike! Ina-chuu Takkyuu-bu 1995 Director Hello Kitty no Minna no Mori wo Mamore! 1996 Director Kerokero Keroppi no Bikkuri! Obakeyashiki 1996 Director Elmer no Bouken: My Father's Dragon 1997 Director Anime TV de Hakken! Tamagotchi 1997 Director DT Eightron 1998 Director Initial D First Stage 1998 Storyboard, Episode Director Ojarumaru 1998 Storyboard (eps 76, 84, 85) Aesop's World 1999 Director InuYasha 2000 Storyboard (various episodes) Hello Kitty no Oyayubi-hime 2001 Chief Animation Director Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time 2001 Storyboard, Episode Director Astro Boy: Tetsuwan Atom 2003 Episode Director (ep 29) Hi no Tori 2004 Storyboard (eps 5, 13) Nezumi Monogatari: George to Gerald no Bouken 2007 Director, Storyboard Stitch! 2008 Director Stitch! Itazura Alien no Daibouken 2009 Director Hajime no Ippo: Rising 2013 Storyboard (ED1), Episode Director (ep 8) Garo: Honoo no Kokuin 2014 Episode Director (eps 2, 4, 9, 14, 21) Garo: Guren no Tsuki 2015 Storyboard (ep 3) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable 2016 Episode Director (ep 19) Onihei 2017 Storyboard (ep 6), Episode Director (eps 1, 7, 12) Dororo 2019 Episode Director (ep 13) Adachi and Shimamura 2020 Episode Director (ep 11) Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu Ω 2021 Episode Director (ep 6) Kanojo mo Kanojo 2021 Episode Director (eps 1, 6) Pluto 2023 Key Animation