Shinji Aramaki (荒牧 伸志, Aramaki Shinji, born 2 October 1960) is a Japanese anime director and mechanical designer from Fukuoka Prefecture. He graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Fukuoka High School and Okayama University. He was a member of Artmic and is currently the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Sola Digital Arts.[1] He is a leading figure in 3DCG animation in Japan.[2][3]
Shinji Aramaki | |
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荒牧 伸志 | |
Born | Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan | 2 October 1960
Nationality | Japanese |
Alma mater | Okayama University |
Occupation(s) | Anime director and mechanical designer |
From middle school through high school, Aramaki was influenced by Space Battleship Yamato, Mobile Suit Gundam, and Star Wars, and aspired to a career in the visual arts.[4] During his time at Okayama University, he was a member of the manga club. One of his best-known works from his time in the manga club was the self-produced animation Moonstruck Artemis.
Aramaki himself stated that he did not have a particular desire to work in the animation industry, but rather went into it because he could draw pictures and because the industry had a wide range of opportunities.[4] He does not distinguish between animation and live-action genres, and says that the spread of digital technology has made it easier for him to work in the animation and live-action fields, as the boundary between the two has disappeared.[4] He is particularly well known for his work on anime featuring mecha of the sort that can transform into powered exoskeletons and motorcycles.[5]
In 2004, he directed Appleseed, the world's first 3D live anime that introduced motion capture, which had a great impact on creators not only in Japan but also around the world.
On October 27, 2011, Aramaki participated in a panel discussion at the VFX-JAPAN Kickoff Meeting.[6][7]
On 29 November 2018, it was announced that he and Kenji Kamiyama will direct the initial season of Blade Runner: Black Lotus, an anime for Adult Swim and Crunchyroll.[8][9][10]