NEWS
WORKS
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ENTERTAINMENT CONTENTS
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MOVIE & TV
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Dragon Pilot: Hisone and MasotanTV ANIME2018
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LAST HOPETV ANIME2018
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EUREKA SEVEN Hi-Evolution1~3MOVIE2017, 2018, 2021
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AQUARION LOGOSTV ANIME2015
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Aquarion EvolTV ANIME2012
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Aquarion The Movie: Mythology & Ichiba Reverse Edition / Aquarion the Movie: Genesis of the Planet’s Myth & Hymn to TriumphMOVIE2007
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Eureka SevenTV ANIME2005
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Genesis of AquarionTV ANIME2005
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Earth girl “Arjuna”TV ANIME2001
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COWBOY BEBOPTV ANIME1998
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Macross Dynamite 7OVA1997
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Kenji no Haru -Spring & Chaos-TV ANIME1996
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The Vision of EscaflowneTV ANIME1996
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Future GPX Cyber FormulaTV ANIME1991
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GunhedMOVIE1989
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Crusher JoeMOVIE1983
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OTHER
CHANNEL
Kawamori himself is going to introduce the transformation system of the YF- 30, a variable fighter in Macross series using its LEGO® prototype for the toy.
Kawamori himself, for the first time online, is going to introduce the mechanical system of the YF- 30 transformation using its LEGO® prototype for the toy.
PROFILE
Animation Director
Mecha Designer
Vision Creator
Thematic Producer for EXPO 2025
Osaka Kansai
2016.04.22
Under the title of “Vision Creator,” Kawamori acts as a creator of original works, an animation director, a scriptwriter, a mecha designer and many other roles. Being one of the original creators of the animated TV hit Macross, he played a major part in developing one of the important factors that popularized the Japanese anime phenomenon worldwide. He was also one of the designers of the Diaclone line of toys, which later became known as the Transformers, including now ubiquitous “Optimus Prime.” His designs can be found in a wide range of media, from animation, and video games to live-action movies and commercial products.
Shoji Kawamori is a vision creator, who handles animation directing, planning, concept creation, scriptwriting, video and stage directing, as well as mechanical design.
Mr. Kawamori was born in 1960 in Toyama, Japan. At the age of three, he moved from the snowy village of Gokayama to rapidly urbanizing Yokohama, where he experienced severe culture shock after witnessing various aspects of modern urban life, including steam locomotives and streetcars – from this experience sprang his strong desire to “create excitement that would surprise everyone” and to be involved in the creative industry.
After enrolling in Keio University, he was able to cultivate free sensibility through interactions with many creative alumni who are internationally active designers and creators. While still studying engineering at Keio, he joined Studio Nue (a creative planning and production group) which has been a central force in the development of Japanese science fiction and animation.
Shortly after joining Studio Nue and while still studying at Keio, he transferred to Takara (currently Takara Tomy). While there, he participated in the initial design of the “Transformers” central robot character Optimus Prime, as well as the car robot of “Diaclone” and several other popular mechanical designs.
While simultaneously participating in several animation projects and mechanical design, he also participated in the development of “The Super Dimension Fortress Macross” (1982-1983) that was launched as a project with his friends from Studio Nue. As a primary team member, he was intimately involved in original story creation, mechanical design, script, and storyboard writing.
At the age of 21, he independently developed "Valkyrie," the world's first fully variable three-stage fighter, which was the leading mechanism that appears in this work.
He made his directorial debut at the age of 23 in the movie version of "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do you remember love? " (1984)
This work and "Valkyrie" were broadcast on television around the world, and the video that mixes realistic mecha and battle scenes, idol music and romance elements was used in the entertainment industry, including Hollywood. For many children and young people, this was the first Japanese animation to become very “cool” around the world.
In the subsequent "Macross" series, he still played a key role in the creative works, with original stories, directoring, and mechanical designs.
BIOGRAPHY
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PRODUCT DESIGN
- 2020
- "Sony's smart watch; 'wena wrist' designed by Shoji Kawamori"
Product Design
- 2020
- LYNK&CO
- 2015
- "TOYOTA Coms CONNECT"
Transformation Robot Design
- 2013
- "Subaru 'EyeSight'"
Character Design
- 2007
- "Nissan Dualis TV CM"
Design of Dualis Powered Suits
- 2001
- "AIBO 'ERS-220' "
External Design
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EXHIBITION
- 2020
- "SMALLWORLDS TOKYO"
Creative Officer
- 2019
- "SHOJI KAWAMORI EXPO"
Supervision
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MOVIE
- 2021
- ”Macross Frontier Short Film -Labyrinth of Time-"
Original Story / Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2021
- ”Macross Delta the Movie -Absolute LIVE!!!!!!-"
Original Story / Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2019
- "The Alchemist Code"
Executive Director / Story composition / Storyboard
- 2018
- "Macross Delta the Movie-GEKIJYO NO WALKÚRE"
Original Story / Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2018
- "ANEMONE / EUREKA SEVEN Hi-Evolution"
Main Mechanic Design
- 2017
- "EUREKA SEVEN Hi-Evolution1"
Main Mechanic Design
- 2014
- "BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES the Movie ABYSS OF HYPERSPACE -AKU NO SHINEN-"
Mecka - Prop Design
- 2011
- "Macross Frontier the Movie -Sayonara no Tsubasa-"
Original Story / Director / Script / Mecha Design
- 2009
- "Macross Frontier the Movie -Itsuwari no Utahime-"
Original Story / Director / Script / Mecha Design
- 2007
- "AQUARION THE MOVIE"
Original Story / Director / Script / Mecha Design
- 2007
- "Shanghai Dragon / Genius Party"
Director
- 2002
- "WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3"
Mecha Design
- 2000
- "Escaflowne"
Original Story"
- 1996
- "Space Cargo Ship Remnant 6"
Mecha Design
- 1996
- "The Vision of Escaflowne"
Original Story / Mecha Design
- 1995
- "Macross 7 -The Movie-"
Original Story / Supervisor / Mecha Design
- 1995
- "Macross Plus Movie Edition"
Original Story / Executive Director / Mecha Design
- 1995
- "Ghost in the Shell"
Mecha Design
- 1993
- "Patlabor the Movie 2"
Mecha Design
- 1989
- "Gunhed"
Mecha Design
- 1989
- "Patlabor the Movie"
Mecha Design
- 1984
- "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross -Do you remember love?-"
Original Story / Director / Story Composition / Mecha Design
- 1983
- "Crusher Joe"
Mecha Design
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TV
- 2018
- "LAST HOPE"
Original Story / Executive Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard Original Story / Executive Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2018
- "Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan"
Main Mechanic Design
- 2016
- "Macross Delta"
Original Story / Executive Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2015
- "AQUARION LOGOS"
Original Story / Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2015
- "THUNDERBIRD ARE GO"
THUNDERBIRD S Design
- 2014
- "Nobunaga the Fool"
Original Story / Story composition / Main Mechanic Design
- 2014
- "M3: The Dark Metal"
Mecha Design
- 2013
- "AKB0048 next stage"
Original Story / Executive Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2012
- "Aquarion Evol"
Original Story / Executive Director / Aquarion Mecha Design
- 2012
- "BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES"
Mecka Design
- 2012
- "Eureka seveN AO"
Nirvash Design
- 2012
- "Chōsoku Henkei Gyrozetter"
Mechanic Design
- 2009
- "CHANGE KIRUMINZOO (tentative title)"
Original Story
- 2009
- "Basquash"
Original Story / Project Director
- 2008
- ”Macross F (Frontier)”
Original Story / Executive Director / Story Composition / Mecha Design
- 2007
- "Ani*Kuri 15 'Project Ω' "
Original Story / Director / Mecha Design
- 2007
- "Mechanical Divine War Gigantic Formula"
Gigantic Mecha Design
- 2007
- "Kissdum R -Engage Planet-"
Mecha Design
- 2005
- "Eureka Seven"
Mecha Design
- 2005
- "Genesis of Aquarion"
Original Creator / Director / Story Composition / Mecha Design
- 2001
- "Earth Girl Arjuna"
Original Creator / Director / Story Composition / Scenario
- 2001
- "The Daichis - Earth's Defense Family"
Original Creator / Story Composition / Scenario / Mecha Design
- 1998
- "Outlaw Star"
Design Cooperation
- 1996
- "Kenji no Haru -Spring & Chaos-"
Director / Scenario / Storyboard
- 1995
- "Macross 7"
Original Story / Supervisor / Mecha Design
- 1991
- "Future GPX Cyber Formula"
Mecha Design
- 1982
- "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross"
Original Story / Director / Mecha Design
- 1981
- "Golden Warrior Gold Lightan"
Guest Mecha Design
- 1979
- "Gordian Warrior"
Mechanic Setting
- 1978
- "Tosho Daimos"
Guest Mecha Design
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OVA
- 2015
- "AQUARION EVOL"
supervisor / mecha Design
- 2013
- "SUBARU EyeSight Project"
Mecka Design
- 2012
- "Macross FB7 ORE NO UTA WO KIKE !"
Original Story/Director/Script/Valkyrie Design/Storyboard
- 2010
- "Macross F Nyankuri -Nyan×2 Music Clip-"
Original Story / Director / Script / Valkyrie Design / Storyboard
- 2007
- "NISSAN New Model 'DUALIS' "
Design of Powered suit 'DUALIS'
- 2007
- "Genesis of Aquarion -Wings of Glory-"
Original Story / Director / Scenario / Mecha Design
- 2007
- "Genesis of Aquarion -Wings of Betrayal-"
Original Story / Director / Scenario / Mecha Design
- 2002
- "Macross Zero"
Original Story / Director / Mecha Design
- 2002
- "WXIII: PATLABOR the Movie 3"
Mechanic Design
- 1998
- "Blue Submarine No.6"
Mecha Design
- 1997
- "Macross Dynamite 7"
Original Story / Story Composition / Mecha Design
- 1994
- "Macross Plus"
Original Stoy / Executive Director / Mecha Design / Storyboard
- 1993
- "Moldiver"
Mecha Design
- 1991
- "Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory"
Mecha Design
- 1987
- "Dangaioh"
Mecha Design
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TOY
- 2014
- "Gear Tribe Miku Hatsune GTProject 2014 Ver."
Variable mechanism Design
- 2006
- "Masterpiece version of Starscream / Transformers"
Design Supervisor
- 2006
- "LEGO Exo-Force"
Custom Design
- 2005
- "Hybrid Style Convoy / Transformers"
Design Supervisor
- 1980
- "Diaclone / Transformers"
Mecha Design
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GAME
- 2021
- "Call of Duty"
Guest Mecha Design
- 2021
- ビリビリ
- 2019
- "DAEMON X MACHINA"
Mechanical Concept Design
- 2019
- "Devil May Cry 5"
Devil Breaker Design
- 2017
- "Song of Macross Smartphone de Culture"
supervisor
- 2016
- "The Alchemist Code"
Director of Opening Animation
- 2013
- "MACROSS 30 -Voices across the Galaxy-"
Valkyrie Design/Design Supervisor
- 2012
- "Chōsoku Henkei Gyrozetter"
Mecha Design (Gyrozetter Design)
- 2011
- "MACROSS TRIANGLE FRONTIER"
supervisor
- 2011
- "ACE COMBAT ASSAULT HORIZON"
Mecha Design (ASF-X/F-3 Shinden II Design)
- 2010
- "Macross Trial Frontier"
supervisor
- 2009
- "MACROSS ULTIMATE FRONTIER"
supervisor
- 2008
- "MACROSS ACE FRONTIER"
supervisor
- 2001
- "MacrossM3"
Meckanic Design
- 2000
- "Macross Plus Game Edition"
Design Supervisor/Movie editing
- 1999
- "Omega Boost (Playstation)"
CG Director / Mecha Design
- 1998
- "Armored Core (Playstation)"
Concept Design / Mecha Design
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OTHER
- 2017
- "Barbican Centre"
Motion Mechanic Design (Talk Event)
- 2015
- "Multi Dimensions Project ""The Fool"" 'One Summer Aquarion' "
Original Story/Director/Script/Valkyrie Design/Storyboard
- 2014-15
- "Project Morpheus"
TOKYO GAME SHOW VR Demo Video supervisor/Storyboard
- 2013
- "Multi Dimensions Project "The Fool"'Nobunaga the Fool' "
Original Story/Director/Script/Valkyrie Design/Storyboard
- 2013
- "Shoji Kawamori Viewpoint of Vision creator"
Kinema-Junpo,Co.,Ltd.
- 2012
- "MACROSS THE MUSICALTURE"
Design Supervisor
- 2011
- "Mortal METAL SHIBAGANE"
Main Mechanic Design
- 2008
- "Target HAL Micro Adventure" Short movie / Cyberdine
Executive Director / Scenario
- 2007
- "ANI*KURI 15 'ProjectΩ' "
Original Story / Director / Mecha Design"
- 2006-07
- 「フィギュア王:連載『VARIABLE RIDE』」
(現在は「Macross Variable Live」として連載中)
ワールドフォトプレス
- 2006
- "Tachiguishi Rekiden"
Actor
- 2006
- "Tachiguishi-Retsuden"
medium-spicy Cast
- 2006
- "Shoji Kawamori Design Works"
MDN Corporation
- 2001
- "Shoji Kawamori Macross Design Works"
Movic
- 2000
- "Shoji Kawamori Cyberfomula Design Works"
Movic
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AWARDS
- 2013
- "AKB0048 next stage"
17th JAPAN MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL
Winner of Jury recommendations of the Animation Division
- 2013
- 18th Animation Kobe SHOJI KAWAMORI was awarded a special prize
- 2011
- "Listen to Our Song! Superdimensional Divas LIVE!"
("Macross F" Special CG Live video)
SIGGRPAH 2011
Computer Animation Festival Selected as a performance work
- 2011
- "Macross Frontier the Movie-Sayonara no Tsubasa"
16th Animation Kobe Award for Best Picture (Theater Division)
- 2009
- "Macross F (Frontier)"
Tokyo International Anime Fair 2009 8th Tokyo Animation Award
TV Division award the grand prize Music award (Yoko Kanno)
- 2009
- "Macross F (Frontier)"
40th Seiun Award Media Division
- 2008
- "Macross F (Frontier)"
23th Digital Content Grand Prix Content Production - Staff Award
- 2004
- "Macross Zero"
Tokyo International Anime Fair 2004 Tokyo Animation Award
Original Video Division Grand prize Award
- 1997
- "Kenji no Haru -spring & Chaos-" (1996)
23thHoso‐Bunka Foundation Award (TV Entertainment program)
©'82,'84,'87,'92,'94,'95,'97,'02,'18 BW ©'07 BW/MFP・M ©'09,'11,'21 BW/MFP ©'12 BW/MFB7P ©'15,'17,'21 BW/MDP ©おぐち/ Crypton Future Media, INC. www.piapro.net piapro costume designed by コヤマシゲト ©Satelight Inc. / GOOD SMILE COMPANY, INC. ©ソニーグループ株式会社