Kenjirō Okada


Kenjirō Okada 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. 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 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" column highlights Okada's directorial works.
YearTitleDirectorStudioSBEDOther roles and notesRef
2005Zoids: GenesisKazunori MizunoSMDEProduction assistant
2006Otogi-Jūshi AkazukinTakaaki IshiyamaMadhouseProduction assistant
2007Bakugan Battle BrawlersMitsuo Hashimoto
Japan Vistec		Production assistant
2009Kimi ni TodokeHiro KaburagiProduction I.GIn-between animator
2012TsuritamaKenji NakamuraA-1 Pictures
2012Nekomonogatari: BlackAkiyuki Shinbo
Tomoyuki Itamura 		Shaft
2012Picchipichi Shizuku-chanKazumi NonakaAsahi ProductionProducer
2013From the New WorldMasashi IshihamaA-1 Pictures
2013Sasami-san@GanbaranaiAkiyuki ShinboShaft
2013Monogatari Series Second SeasonAkiyuki Shinbo
Tomoyuki Itamura

Yuki Yase 		ShaftAssistant episode director
2nd key animator
2013Gatchaman CrowdsKenji NakamuraTatsunoko Production
2014Buddy ComplexYasuhiro TanabeSunrise
2014Captain EarthTakuya IgarashiBones
2014Mekakucity ActorsAkiyuki Shinbo
Yuki Yase		Shaft
2014HanamonogatariAkiyuki Shinbo
Tomoyuki Itamura		Shaft
2014TsukimonogatariAkiyuki Shinbo
Tomoyuki Itamura		Shaft
2015Nisekoi:Akiyuki Shinbo
Shaft
2015Aria the Scarlet Ammo AATakashi KawabataDoga Kobo
2015OwarimonogatariAkiyuki Shinbo
Tomoyuki Itamura		Shaft
2016March Comes In like a LionShaft
2017March Comes In like a Lion 2nd SeasonShaft
2018Fate/Extra: Last EncoreAkiyuki Shinbo
Yukihiro Miyamoto 		Shaft
2019Zoku OwarimonogatariAkiyuki ShinboShaft
2020Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side StoryShaft
2020Wave, Listen to Me!Tatsuma MinamikawaSunrise
2020Assault Lily BouquetShouji Saeki
Hajime Ootani 		Shaft
2021Pretty Boy Detective ClubAkiyuki Shinbo
Hajime Ootani		ShaftAssistant director
2022RWBY: Ice QueendomShaft
2023Horimiya: The Missing PiecesMasashi IshihamaCloverWorks
2024Black Butler: Public School ArcCloverWorks
2025Black Butler: Emerald Witch ArcCloverWorks

OVAs / ONAs

Films

Video games