is a Japanese director and storyboard artist best known for directing March Comes In like a Lion.
Career Okada started off in the anime industry as a production assistant for Zoids: Genesis in 2005 at Group TAC. Over several years, Okada worked to this capacity, and in 2007 was promoted to production manager on Nenbutsu Monogatari (released in 2008). Two years later, in 2010, he made his debut as an episode director on episode 124 of Hana Kappa. That year, however, Group TAC filed for bankruptcy, and Okada had a short tenure at Studio CJT (founded by former Group TAC members) as a producer, but that same year became a freelancing director. In 2012, he became associated with Shaft and made his debut with the studio on the 2nd episode of Nekomonogatari: Black. For the next 4 years, he participated in a number of Shaft productions as an episode director and storyboard artist, and in 2016 made his debut as a series director with the studio on March Comes In like a Lion under Akiyuki Shinbo's direction, which received positive reviews from critics. Okada occasionally works with other companies, but a majority of his output continues to be with Shaft.
Style In an interview between him and Shaft colleague Hajime Ootani, the two were asked to describe each other's styles and processes as directors. Commenting on his own style, Okada stated that he gave more attention to appealing to fans of the works he was adapting and the original author's expectations, to which Ootani supported and gave admiration for. In 2021, Okada acted as assistant director for Ootani's Pretty Boy Detective Club, and chief director Shinbo stated that Ootani and Okada complimented each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Works Television series In "Director(s)" column highlights Okada's directorial works. Year Title Director(s) StudioSBED Other roles and notes Ref(s)2005Zoids: GenesisKazunori MizunoSMDEProduction assistant2006Otogi-Jūshi AkazukinTakaaki IshiyamaMadhouseProduction assistant2007Bakugan Battle BrawlersMitsuo HashimotoJapan VistecProduction assistant2009Kimi ni TodokeHiro KaburagiProduction I.GIn-between animator2012TsuritamaKenji NakamuraA-1 PicturesNekomonogatari: BlackAkiyuki ShinboTomoyuki Itamura ShaftPicchipichi Shizuku-chanKazumi NonakaAsahi ProductionProducer2013From the New WorldMasashi IshihamaA-1 PicturesSasami-san@GanbaranaiAkiyuki ShinboShaftMonogatari Series Second SeasonAkiyuki Shinbo Tomoyuki ItamuraYuki Yase ShaftAssistant episode director2nd key animatorGatchaman CrowdsKenji NakamuraTatsunoko Production2014Buddy ComplexYasuhiro TanabeSunriseCaptain EarthTakuya IgarashiBonesMekakucity ActorsAkiyuki Shinbo Yuki YaseShaftHanamonogatariAkiyuki Shinbo Tomoyuki ItamuraShaftTsukimonogatariAkiyuki Shinbo Tomoyuki ItamuraShaft2015Nisekoi:Akiyuki Shinbo ShaftAria the Scarlet Ammo AATakashi KawabataDoga KoboOwarimonogatariAkiyuki Shinbo Tomoyuki ItamuraShaft2016March Comes In like a LionShaft2017March Comes In like a Lion 2nd SeasonShaft2018Fate/Extra: Last EncoreAkiyuki Shinbo Yukihiro Miyamoto Shaft2019Zoku OwarimonogatariAkiyuki ShinboShaft2020Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side StoryShaftWave, Listen to Me!Tatsuma MinamikawaSunriseAssault Lily BouquetShouji SaekiHajime Ootani Shaft2021Pretty Boy Detective ClubAkiyuki Shinbo Hajime OotaniShaftAssistant director2022RWBY: Ice QueendomShaft2023Horimiya: The Missing PiecesMasashi IshihamaCloverWorks2024Black Butler: Public School ArcCloverWorks2025Black Butler: Emerald Witch ArcCloverWorks2026Oshi no Ko 3rd SeasonDaisuke HiramakiDoga KoboColor script
OVAs / ONAs Year Title Director(s) StudioSBED Other roles and notes Ref(s)2008Nenbutsu MonogatariTakashi UiGroup TacProduction manager2016KoyomimonogatariAkiyuki Shinbo Tomoyuki ItamuraShaft
Films Year Title Director(s) StudioSBED Other roles and notes Ref(s)2006Eien no HouIsamu ImakakeGroup TACProduction assistant2020Josee, the Tiger and the FishKōtarō TamuraBones
Video games Year Title Studio Roles and notes Ref(s)2017Magia Record (Arc I)ShaftCutscene director and storyboard artist
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