is a Japanese animator and character designer best known for designing the characters to Hidamari Sketch (2007–2013).
Career Itou joined Shaft in 1987 as an in-between animator, and by 1989 he was promoted to key animator. In 1995, the studio produced its first original televised work, Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger, which featured Itou's promotion to animation director. Shaft received numerous outsourcing jobs throughout the 90s of varying genres and styles, some of which had cute characters and comedy-oriented stories, and others which were more serious and had less-than-cute characters. Itou was particularly involved with the mecha series Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure (1998), which may have led to his other mecha work on Dai-Guard (1999) and Sakura Wars (2000), in which he was also given the responsibility of for a few episodes alongside general key animation and animation direction roles. Itou's first role as a character designer wasn't in-house on a Shaft work, but rather at Group TAC to whom he was lent to. Shaft had developed a relationship with Atsuhiro Iwakami, at the time a producer from SME Visual Works (now called Aniplex) after Shaft was outsourced to for a few episodes of Android Kikaider: The Animation (2001); and Group TAC, needing a character designer for Gakuen Alice (2004), received Itou's help as both character designer and chief animation director due to Iwakami's connection to Shaft.
Three years later, Itou took on the job of character designer for both Hidamari Sketch and a short film adaptation of Kino's Journey, the former of which began a long-running franchise of anime. Although he had worked on Shaft's titles with director Akiyuki Shinbo (who began a long-standing collaboration with the studio in 2004) prior to Hidamari Sketch, the series was Itou's first time directly working with Shinbo; and having seen Shinbo's prior works, such as Le Portrait de Petit Cossette (2004), Itou was initially nervous. Both Shinbo and Ume Aoki, the creator of the Hidamari Sketch manga, thought that he seemed "delicate." Ironically, despite Itou's prior abilities as a mecha animator, he likes cute and warm works, so he felt instantly attracted to Aoki's drawings in the manga. He had trouble with designing and drawing the characters, but was able to succeed with Aoki directly helping with the key elements of her drawings. Aoki stated that she was relieved for the anime seeing that Itou understood the charactersnot just in the style of the drawings themselves, but also in the way that he poses the charactersand said that his drawings were cute. Although Itou also had the role of "chief animation director", he mentioned that he didn't touch the drawings for the second episode of the first season due to the quality of animation director Hideyuki Morioka's drawings. Until 2013, when the anime series ended, Itou continued to design the characters for and act as chief animation director for Hidamari Sketch (and even storyboarded an episode), occasionally helping out as a chief animation director on other series like Natsu no Arashi (2009).
Around 2015, Itou was given the offer by Mitsutoshi Kubota, Shaft's president, to act as a and for Gourmet Girl Graffiti. Itou was given the opportunity since he worked a lot with food-related scenes in the anime he worked on, saying that cooking scenes in TV anime ended up getting passed to him in many cases. Since Gourmet Girl Graffiti is mainly focused on cooking, such a role unifying all of the animators' works into a cohesive approach as far as drawings and even color was necessary. Attaining a visual style proved to be somewhat difficult, as Shinbo's only advice when presented with a design was that it "wasn't quite there yet." He worked closely with the color designer, Yasuko Watanabe, and the director of photography, Takayuki Aizu, to achieve what became the result used in the anime itself. Itou himself was in charge of the design and drawings of the foodand he'd also choose which colors to keep and leave out, as well as things like the brightnessand Watanabe would color them per her tastes, and the compositors (Aizu) would then add textures and give more input. Itou ended up focusing on the series' odd episodes and splitting the "meal animation director" role with Hirotoshi Arai, who took on the even episodes. Another aspect of the animation front for the series was using a lot of layers for the food to show depth and, generally, to make it look as good as possible; however, such a method isn't particularly workable under most TV schedules, especially on series where the food isn't a focus, so on a scene Itou was responsible for on March Comes In like a Lion (2016), he made sure that the staff only used two or three layers for the food drawings to reduce the time stress on the production staff's plate.
Works This is an incomplete list.
Teleivison series Year Title Director(s) StudioCDCADADKA Other roles and notes Ref(s)1987Hiatari Ryōkō!Gisaburō SugiiHiroko TokitaGroup TACIn-between animator1989Idol Densetsu ErikoTetsurō AminoAshi ProductionsIn-between animator1990Kyatto Ninden TeyandeeKunitoshi OkajimaTatsunoko Production1991Oh! My KonbuStudio Koriumi1992Thumbelina: A Magical StoryHiromitsu MoritaEnoki Films1993The Irresponsible Captain TylorKōichi MashimoTatsunoko Production1994The Legend of Snow WhiteKunitoshi OkajimaTatsunoko Production1995Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto RangerKunitoshi OkajimaShaft1996Kiko-chan's SmileSetsuko ShibuichiMagic Bus1997Revolutionary Girl UtenaKunihiko IkuharaJ.C.StaffBattle Athletes VictoryKatsuhito AkiyamaAIC1998Silent MobiusHideki TonokatsuNobuyuki TakeuchiRadixShaftGenerator GawlSeiji MizushimaTatsunoko Production1999Space Pirate MitoTakashi WatanabeTriangle StaffDual! Parallel Trouble AdventuresKatsuhito AkiyamaAICA Pair of QueensTakashi WatanabeTriangle StaffDai GuardSeiji MizushimaXebecMecha animation directorNow and Then, Here and ThereAkitaro DaichiAICMagic User's ClubJunichi SatoTriangle StaffMadhouse2000Boogiepop PhantomTakashi WatanabeMadhouseSakura WarsRyūtarō NakamuraMadhouseMecha animation directorAndroid Kikaider: The AnimationTensai OkamuraRadixStudio OxDotto Koni-chanShinichi WatanabeKenji YasudaShaft2001Sister PrincessZexcsThe SoulTakerAkiyuki ShinboTatsunoko ProductionTatsunoko VCRCyborg 009: The Cyborg SoldierJun KawagoeJapan VistecMahoromaticHiroyuki YamagaGainaxShaftAssistant animation director2002Mahoromatic: Something More BeautifulHiroyuki YamagaGainaxShaftAssistant animation directorSeven of SevenYasuhiro ImagawaA.C.G.TG-On RidersShinichiro KimuraTNK2003PopotanShinichiro KimuraShaftKino's JourneyRyūtarō NakamuraA.C.G.TMaburahoShinichiro KimuraJ.C.Staff2004Gakuen AliceTakahiro OmoriGroup TACTetsujin 28-gouYasuhiro ImagawaPalm StudioThis Ugly yet Beautiful WorldShouji SaekiGainaxShaftTsukuyomi: Moon PhaseAkiyuki ShinboShaftAssistant animation director (Blu-ray version)2005Pani Poni Dash!Akiyuki ShinboShin OonumaShaftAssistant animation directorEyecatch2006RECRyūtarō NakamuraShaftNegima!?Akiyuki ShinboShin OonumaShaftAssistant animation director2007Hidamari SketchAkiyuki ShinboRyouki KamitsuboShaftSayonara, Zetsubou-SenseiAkiyuki ShinboShaftEf: A Tale of MemoriesShin OonumaShaftAssistant animation director2008Hidamari Sketch x 365Akiyuki ShinboShaftEf: A Tale of MelodiesShin OonumaShaft2009Natsu no Arashi!Akiyuki ShinboShin OonumaShaftMaria HolicAkiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaftBakemonogatariAkiyuki ShinboTatsuya OishiShaftAssistant animation directorZan Sayonara, Zetsubou-SenseiAkiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaft2010Hidamari Sketch x HoshimittsuAkiyuki ShinboKenichi IshikuraShaftAnd Yet the Town MovesAkiyuki ShinboShaft2011Hidamari Sketch x SPAkiyuki ShinboShaftStoryboard artistPuella Magi Madoka MagicaAkiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaftAssistant animation director2012Hidamari Sketch x HoneycombAkiyuki ShinboYuki YaseShaftNisemonogatariAkiyuki ShinboTomoyuki ItamuraShaft2013Monogatari Series Second SeasonAkiyuki ShinboTomoyuki ItamuraNaoyuki TatsuwaYuki YaseShaftAssistant animation director2014NisekoiAkiyuki ShinboNaoyuki TatsuwaShaftAssistant animation directorMekakucity ActorsAkiyuki ShinboYuki YaseShaftHanamonogatariAkiyuki ShinboTomoyuki ItamuraShaft2015Gourmet Girl GraffitiAkiyuki ShinboNaoyuki TatsuwaShaftMeal designerMeal animation directorNisekoi:Akiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaftOwarimonogatariAkiyuki ShinboTomoyuki ItamuraShaft2016March Comes In like a LionAkiyuki ShinboKenjirou OkadaShaftAssistant animation director2017March Comes In like a Lion 2nd Season2018Fate/Extra: Last EncoreAkiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaftAssistant animation director2nd key animator2019The Quintessential QuintupletsSatoshi KuwabaraTezuka ProductionsZoku OwarmonogatariAkiyuki ShinboShaft2020Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side StoryDoroinuYukihiro MiyamotoKenjirou OkadaMidori YoshizawaShaftMain animatorLapis Re:LightsHiroyuki HataYokohama Animation LabAssault Lily BouquetShouji SaekiHajime OotaniShaft2nd key animator2021Pretty Boy Detective ClubAkiyuki ShinboHajime OotaniShaftMagia Record: The Eve of AwakeningDoroinuYukihiro MiyamotoShaft2022Magia Record: Dawn of a Shallow DreamDoroinuYukihiro MiyamotoShaftRWBY: Ice QueendomToshimasa SuzukiKenjirou OkadaShaftLuminous WitchesShouji SaekiShaftAssistant animation director2023MashleTomonari TanakaA-1 PicturesZom 100: Bucket List of the DeadKazuki KawagoeBug Films2024Mashle: The Divine Visionary Candidate ArcTomonari TanakaA-1 Pictures2025A Ninja and an Assassin Under One RoofYukihiro MiyamotoShaftMain animator
OVAs/ONAs Year Title Director(s) StudioCDCADADKA Other roles and notes Ref(s)1987Taiman Blues: Naoto Shimizu-henTakao YotsujiShaftIn-between animator1990Hidan no O'Clock!!Osamu InoueHiroaki InoueToei Animation1994Baki the GrapplerKnack1995Inma YoujoKazuma MurakiMagic BusSM Girls: Saber Marionette RKoji MasunariZero-G RoomWeather Report GirlKunihiko YuyamaPastelLegend of the Galactic HeroesNoboru IshiguroMasatoshi TaharaKeizou ShimizuShaft1996Shadow SkillHiroshi NegishiZero-G Room1997Legend of Crystania: The Chaos RingRyūtarō NakamuraTriangle Staff1998Legend of the Galactic Heroes GaidenNoboru IshiguroShaft2000Kita e. Pure SessionStudio D-Volt2002Arcade Gamer FubukiYuuji MutouShaftAssistant chief animation directorPreview animation2003Papillon RoseStudio Kelmadick2006Negima: Spring SpecialAkiyuki ShinboShin OonumaShaftAssistant animation director2008Goku Sayonara, Zetsubou-SenseiAkiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaftAssistant animation director2011Katteni KaizōAkiyuki ShinboNaoyuki TatsuwaShaftAssistant chief animation directorAssistant animation director2012Palutena's Revolting DinnerAkiyuki ShinboShaft2013Hidamari Sketch: Sae & Hiro's Graduation ArcAkiyuki ShinboYuki YaseShaft2015Magical Suite Prism Nana: I Want to Fulfill My Dreams!? Hope Advancing [Part 1]Yukihiro MiyamotoShaftMain animator2016KoyomimonogatariAkiyuki ShinboTomoyuki ItamuraShaft2024Monogatari Series Off & Monster SeasonAkiyuki ShinboMidori YoshizawaShaft2025Magical Suite Prism Nana: I Want to Fulfill My Dreams!? Hope Advancing [Part 2]Yukihiro MiyamotoShaftMain animator
Films Year Title Director(s) StudioCDCADADKA Other roles and notes Ref(s)1988Bikkuriman: Muen Zone no Hihou Junichi SatoToei AnimationIn-between animatorHiatari Ryōkō! Kasumi: Yume no Naka ni Kimi ga ItaKimiharu OgawaGroup TACIn-between animator1996Tenchi the Movie: Tenchi Muyo in LoveHiroshi NegishiAIC1999Adolescence of UtenaKunihiko IkuharaJ.C.Staff2007Kino's Journey: Country of IllnessRyūtarō NakamuraShaft2013Puella Magi Madoka Magica: RebellionAkiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaft2017Kizumonogatari III: ReiketsuAkiyuki ShinboTatsuya OishiShaftFireworksAkiyuki ShinboNobuyuki TakeuchiShaft2nd key animator2026Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Walpurgisnacht - RisingAkiyuki ShinboYukihiro MiyamotoShaftMain animator
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