Masami Ōbari


Masami Ōbari is a Japanese anime director, animation director and mecha and character designer.

Biography

After graduating from high school in 1985, Masami Obari began his career when he joined the animation studio Ashi Production, where he worked on shows such as Special Armored Battalion Dorvack, Transformers, and Star Musketeer Bismarck. Soon after, at the age of 19, he got his first major break when he landed the role of mecha designer on Dancouga – Super Beast Machine God. Not too long after, at the young age of 21, he was given his first directorial role by directing episodes 5 and 6 of the Bubblegum Crisis OVA series. He also made three Fatal Fury films from December 23, 1992, to July 16, 1994.
In 1993, he founded Studio G-1 with fellow animators Kazuto Nakazawa, Masahiro Yamane, Takehiro Nakayama, and Atsuko Ishida, to whom Masami Obari was married, but from whom he is currently divorced. Studio G-1 was later disbanded and was reformed under the name of Studio G-1 Neo in 2000.
Although not originally interested in animation, he was inspired when he formed a high school friendship with classmate Satoshi Urushihara.
In 2016, Obari married the professional model maker Ritsu Togasaki.
He has a younger brother named Takami, who served as the president and CEO of New Japan Pro-Wrestling between October 2020 and December 2023.

Filmography

Director

Original video animation

  • 1988 Moonlight Rambler
  • 1989 Red Eyes
  • 1991–1992 Detonator Orgun
  • 1996 Battle Arena Toshinden
  • 1996 Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer
  • 1997–1998 Voogie's Angel
  • 1999 Dangaizer 3
  • 2001–2003 Angel Blade
  • 2001–2003 Marine a Go Go
  • 2002 Viper GTS
  • 2004–2005 Angel Blade Punish!
  • 2017 Gundam Build Fighters: Battlogue
  • 2020 ''Gundam Build Divers Battlogue''

    Original net animation

  • 2023 Amaim Warrior at the Borderline: UltraSteel Ogre-Gear
  • 2023 ''Gundam Build Metaverse''

    Television series

  • 1997 Virus Buster Serge
  • 2000 Platinumhugen Ordian
  • 2002 Gravion
  • 2004 Gravion Zwei
  • 2007 Dancouga Nova – Super God Beast Armor
  • 2007 Prism Ark
  • 2010–2011 Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Inspector
  • 2013 Bakujyuu Kasshin Ziguru Hazeru
  • 2024 ''Brave Bang Bravern!''

    Animated feature film

  • 1994 ''Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture''

    Designer

Character design

Direct-to-video animation
  • 1988–1990 Guy: Double Target
  • 1990–1992 Guardian of Darkness
  • 1993–1994 Time Bokan: Royal Revival
  • 1996–1997 Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer
  • 1997–1998 Voogie's Angel
  • 2001–2003 Angel Blade
  • 2004–2005 ''Angel Blade Punish!''
    Television series
  • 1997 Virus Buster Serge
  • 1998 Weiß Kreuz
  • 2000 ''Platinumhugen Ordian''
    Animated feature film
  • 1992 Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf
  • 1993 Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle
  • 1994 ''Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture''
    Video games
  • 1995 Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer
  • 2022 The King of Fighters XV
  • 2025 ''Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves''

    Mecha design

Direct-to-video animation
  • 1985–1987 Fight! Iczer One
  • 1987–1991 Bubblegum Crisis
  • 1987–1989 Dangaioh
  • 1999 Dangaizer 3
  • 2001–2003 ''Marine a Go Go''
    Television series
  • 1985 Dancouga – Super Beast Machine God
  • 1991–1992 The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird
  • 1992–1993 Tekkaman Blade
  • 1994–1995 Magic Knight Rayearth
  • 1994–1995 Brave Police J-Decker
  • 2000 Platinumhugen Ordian
  • 2002 Gravion
  • 2004 Gravion Zwei
  • 2007 Jūsō Kikō Dancouga Nova
  • 2010–2011 Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Inspector
  • 2015–2017 Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
  • 2019 Pop Team Epic TV Special
  • 2022 ''Pop Team Epic Series 2''
    Video games
  • 1989 Moto Roader
  • 2007 Super Robot Wars: Original Generations
  • 2007 Super Robot Wars OG Gaiden
  • 2008 Super Robot Wars Z
  • 2012 2nd Super Robot Wars Z
  • 2015 3rd Super Robot Wars Z
  • 2018 Mobile Corps Iron Saga
  • 2019 ''Super Robot Wars DD''