Masayuki Kojima

is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director, best known for directing the acclaimed anime series Monster and Made in Abyss. Life and career Kojima, a native of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, was born on March 11, 1961. He decided to enter the anime industry due to his love for visual media; although he could have worked in live-action media, he also drew manga and felt that animation offered the most direct way to combine his own drawings with visual storytelling. After graduating, he joined an animation production company. He went on to direct episodes for various Tatsunoko Production titles as well as series such as Moomin. In 2011, he joined several other Madhouse crew members for the film Tibetan Dog, which he directed. while also storyboarding nine of the season's episodes. He later led it through its second season, which was released in 2022. He also directed the 2020 film Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul. Artistry Kevin Cirugeda of SakugaBlog called him a "chameleonic creator", remarking that "adaptability is his forte". Dominic Laeno of THEM Anime Reviews praised Kojima's directorial expertise on Monster, citing his ability to convey storytelling, animation, and character personality and designs. Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network similarly praised both Kojima's faithfulness to the original Monster manga and use of live-action dubbers as voice actors. Bamboo Dong, also of Anime News Network, stated that Kojima's involvement in Black Bullet was a rare upside of an otherwise weak anime.

Kojima cites Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata as influences. Storyboard, Animation Director DNA Sights 999.9 (1998) — Director, Storyboard Master Keaton (1998–1999) — Series Director, Storyboard (eps. 1–2, 4, 13), Episode Director (eps. 2, 13) Leave it to Kero! Theatrical Version (2000) — Director Storyboard The Tibetan Dog (2011) — Director, Storyboard Busou Shinki: Moon Angel (2011–2012) — Director, Storyboard, Key Animation (ep. 13) Made in Abyss (2017–2022) — Director, Storyboard (eps. 1–3, 5, 8-10, 12-13), Episode Director (ep. 12) Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul (2020) — Director, Storyboard My Happy Marriage season 2 (2025) — Director Made in Abyss: Mezameru Shinpi (2026) — Director

Other Cybot Robotchi (1982–1983) — Episode Director Okawari-Boy Starzan S (1984) — Storyboard, Episode Director Aru Kararu no Isan OVA (1993) — Storyboard Cardcaptor Sakura (1998) — Storyboard (ep. 2) Reign: The Conqueror (1999) — Storyboard Sakura Wars (2000) — Animation Director Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars (2001) — Storyboard Space Pirate Captain Herlock The Endless Odyssey OVA (2002) — Storyboard (eps. 7-8) Trava: Fist Planet OVA (2003) — In-Between Animation Texhnolyze (2003) — Storyboard (ep. 7) Gungrave (2003–2004) — Key Animation (eps. 1–2, 8, 18) Gunslinger Girl (2003–2004) — Storyboard (ep. 3) Gokusen (2004) — Storyboard Samurai Champloo (2004–2005) — Key Animation (eps. 5, 22) Trinity Blood (2005) — Storyboard Black Lagoon (2006) — Key Animation