Photo: tofuprod / CC BY-SA 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Masaaki Yuasa is a screenwriter, animator and film director, born on March 16, 1965 in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 2026, Masaaki Yuasa is 61 years old. Education on record includes Kyushu Sangyo University. Recorded honors include Medal with Purple Ribbon and Japan Movie Critics Award for Best Animation Director (2023). Notable works include Kaiba, The Tatami Galaxy and Ping Pong.
My Take
Masaaki Yuasa is, to me, one of the most fearless voices in modern animation. From Kaiba and The Tatami Galaxy to Ping Pong and Devilman Crybaby, he refuses the safe grammar of the medium, bending line and color until raw emotion practically leaks off the screen. A Fukuoka native who co-founded Science SARU, he proves Japanese animation still has wild, unmapped territory left to explore. The Medal with Purple Ribbon and his devoted global following feel entirely earned. I leave every one of his works a little disoriented and a lot exhilarated, and I genuinely cannot wait to see what he distorts next.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Masaaki Yuasa
- Name (Japanese)
- 湯浅政明
- Reading
- ゆあさ まさあき
- Born
- March 16, 1965 (age 61)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Snake
- Origin
- Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
- Occupation
- screenwriter / animator / film director / character designer / director
2. Background
- University
- Kyushu Sangyo University
Awards & achievements
- Medal with Purple Ribbon
- 2023 Japan Movie Critics Award for Best Animation Director
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Kaiba | — | |
| Notable work | The Tatami Galaxy | — | |
| Notable work | Ping Pong | — | |
| Notable work | Devilman Crybaby | — |
4. Links
- Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/yuasa1965/
- Xhttps://x.com/masaakiyuasa
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaaki%20Yuasa
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B9%AF%E6%B5%85%E6%94%BF%E6%98%8E
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1385540
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Masaaki Yuasa born?
Born March 16, 1965 (age 61).
Where is Masaaki Yuasa from?
Masaaki Yuasa is from Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
What does Masaaki Yuasa do?
Masaaki Yuasa works as screenwriter, animator, film director, character designer, director.
What is Masaaki Yuasa known for?
Notable works include Kaiba, The Tatami Galaxy, Ping Pong.
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