# Noboru Ishiguro

Noboru Ishiguro (石黒 昇, Ishiguro Noboru, August 24, 1938 – March 20, 2012) was a Japanese anime director, anime producer, and animator. He was the founder and chairman of the animation studio Artland.
Ishiguro is an anime director who has been active in the Japanese animation industry since the 1970s. His representative works include Space Battleship Yamato, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Megazone 23 and Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
As a director, he did not emphasize his own style, and instead entrusted important positions to talented and motivated people, regardless of their career.
For Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Megazone 23, he selected young artists such as Haruhiko Mikimoto, Ichirō Itano, and Toshihiro Hirano (currently Toshiki Hirano), most of whom were amateurs except for Itano, and placed them at the core of the production to create works of youthful sensibility. Hiroyuki Yamaga and Hideaki Anno of later Gainax, who were still in college, also joined as part-time workers. They only gathered at Artland for about three years, but many of them got their break through with Macross, and later became representative of Japanese animation.
Ishiguro became interested in the animation industry after seeing Disney's animated feature film Sleeping Beauty. As an animator, he specializes in effects animation and has made it widely known to the Japanese animation industry that such techniques exist. In Space Battleship Yamato, he worked on many of the effects scenes, which was one of the factors that made the work so special. These techniques were then passed on to Ichiro Itano and Hideaki Anno. Anno refers to himself as a "third generation" in the lineage of Ishiguro and Itano's realism-based effects. These animators, along with Yoshinori Kanada, have led the Japanese animation industry by positioning the effects animator in animation as the F/X or VFX creative director in live action.
Ishiguro was good at music, especially classical music, and was one of the few directors in the anime industry who could read music. His participation in the Space Battleship Yamato project was due to the fact that he was favored by producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki, who had musical experience. He also used classical music as background music for the fleet battle scenes with space battleships in Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
Ishiguro was a science fiction enthusiast, and the success of Space Battleship Yamato was greatly influenced by Ishiguro's sci-fi imagination in terms of visuals.

## Biography

Ishiguro began drawing manga when he was in elementary school, fascinated by Osamu Tezuka's Shin Takarajima, and debuted as a manga artist for rental manga in his third year of high school (1956). On the other hand, he was also into movies in high school.
In 1957, he entered the Department of Cinema at Nihon University College of Art. He gave up on continuing as a manga artist as rental manga began to decline due to the gekiga boom that occurred around that time. After giving up on his career as a manga artist, he next formed a Hawaiian music band with his friends and began touring cabarets. Around the same time, he was making independent animation on 8 mm film in college with a group of friends. He also began frequenting the Mushi Production of Osamu Tezuka, a man he admired, located near the university. He eventually attended Nihon University for seven years, and upon graduating in 1964 pursued a career as an animator.
He joined the animation studio Televi Dōga (currently Fuji Television Enterprises), a subsidiary of Fuji Television. After moving from Televi Dōga to Onishi Productions, he then became an independent and founded the Institute of Moving Image Technology in 1966 and JAB (Japan Art Bureau) in 1969 with his friends. However, both were dissolved. Since then, he has worked as a freelance director and storyboardist.
Ishiguro was the animation director for the TV series Space Battleship Yamato, which began airing in 1974. The work was a huge hit and became an epoch-making work in the history of science fiction animation and Japanese animation, as it was made into a movie and a sequel was also made.
Ishiguro founded the animation studio Artland in September 1978. It started when he rented a room for lodging jointly with his fellow animators in case they couldn't go home.
Ishiguro was the chief director of the TV series Super Dimension Fortress Macross, which began airing in 1982. Following Yamato, he was to participate in a hit production that would go down in the history of Japanese animation. Macross was a project developed by Studio Nue and adopted by advertising agency Bigwest, which secured broadcast slots for sponsoring companies and commercial TV stations. Nue brought the project to Ishiguro, so he was involved from the planning stage. Since Nue was not capable of producing animation, Ishiguro's company, Artland, was to produce it. However, Artland, which specializes in subcontracting, was deemed insufficient, and Tatsunoko Production was selected as the prime contractor. Artland undertook the work as a subcontractor along with Tatsunoko subsidiary Anime Friend.
In 1985, Ishiguro and Artland produced Megazone 23, featuring the core members of Macross. Although Macross itself was highly popular and acclaimed, Ishiguro and Artland, who did not own the copyright, were out of the loop regarding revenue from royalties. So Ishiguro launched this work as an original project on his own, and it became an unusual hit for an OVA. Since Ishiguro wrote the original story, directed the video, and even wrote the novel version, and Artland was the production contractor, they should have made a substantial profit. However, there were problems with the distribution of profits between affiliated companies, Artland actually earned very little profit. Eventually, the production entity was changed to AIC for the sequel, and only the 2nd studio established with a mechanical specialist group participated from Artland. Despite producing two hit works in a row, Artland found itself in financial difficulties, and Ishiguro felt disappointed with the in-house production. In order to concentrate on management, Ishiguro first separated his staff, which had grown to over 50 people, from the studio and made them independent.
In 1988, Artland was offered work on the OVA series Legend of the Galactic Heroes and Ishiguro directed the series. The series gained great popularity and ran for 12 years, making it an exceptionally long-running series for an OVA that is not a TV series. In addition, the longer production period of the OVA compared to the TV series allowed Ishiguro to concurrently produce the animation and run the studio, and the regularity of the work improved the business situation at Artland.
Around this time, Artland moved from Ōkubo to Musashi Sakai, renting a four-story building, but in February 2000, the second floor was destroyed by the catch a fire from a neighboring newspaper distributor. Fortunately, since the production had already been digitized, the data could be recovered to some extent. Thanks to this, the studio was spared fatal damage.
In 2005, Artland was contracted to produce the TV series Mushishi. Ishiguro gradually stopped working as a director as he grew tired of the animation industry's increasing emphasis on character business. This work was the first in a long time to spark his passion after he had lost interest in animation for quite some time. He was scheduled to draw a storyboard for one episode, but that was cancelled due to a mistake.
In April 2006, Artland became a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment. Ishiguro stayed on as president, but he said he was relieved of the financial and emotional burdens of running a studio. The studio reached its peak since its inception in the fall when it simultaneously produced three TV series as a prime contractor. In addition, the studio has decided to provide social insurance coverage for all employees at the will of Marvelous headquarters..
Ishiguro died on 20 March 2012 in Kawasaki City Hospital of a lung infection which was the result of a follow-up surgery procedure to the aneurysm surgery he underwent two years prior.

## Works

Lists his work as a series director, film director and chief director.
| Year | Title | Format | Studio | Role | Remarks column |
| 1963 | Gigantor | TV series | TJC | Inbetweening | Joined as a part-time worker. |
| 1964 | O-sen Hayato [ja] | TV series | P Productions | Inbetweening | Joined as a part-time worker. |
| 1965 | Kaitō Pride [ja] | TV series | Televi Dōga | Inbetweening, key frame | His professional debut. |
| 1965 | Astro Boy | TV series | Mushi Production | Key frame | |
| 1966 | Hang On! Marine Kid | TV series | Televi Dōga | Key frame, episode director | |
| 1967-1968 | Golden Bat | TV series | Dai-ichi Dōga | Episode director | |
| 1968-1971 | Star of the Giants | TV series | Tokyo Movie | Key frame | |
| 1968-1969 | The Monster Kid | TV series | A Production, Studio Zero | Episode director | |
| 1968-1969 | Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae | TV series | Mushi Production, Tōei Dōga, Studio Zero | Episode director | |
| 1969 | Sobakasu Pucchi | TV series | Fuji TV Enterprise | Script | |
| 1969 | Umeboshi Denka [ja] | TV series | A Production, Studio Zero | Episode director | |
| 1969 | Dororo | TV series | Mushi Production | Episode director | |
| 1969-1970 | Pinch & Punch | TV series | Fuji TV Enterprise | Script | |
| 1969-1970 | Moomin | TV series | A Production, Mushi Production | Episode director | |
| 1970 | Chippo the Mischievous Angel [ja] | TV series | Dai-ichi Dōga | Script | |
| 1970-1971 | Ashita no Joe | TV series | Mushi Production | Episode director, storyboards | |
| 1971 | Andersen Monogatari | TV series | Mushi Production | Episode director | |
| 1971 -1972 | Tensai Bakabon | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1971-1972 | Kunimatsu-sama no Otoridai! | TV series | Mushi Production | Episode director | |
| 1972 | New Moomin | TV series | Mushi Production | Episode director | |
| 1972-1973 | Akadō Suzunosuke | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1972-1974 | The Gutsy Frog | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1973 | Jungle Kurobe | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1973 | Doraemon | TV series | Nippon TV Dōga | Storyboards | |
| 1973 | Little Wansa | TV series | Mushi Production | Episode director, storyboards | |
| 1973-1974 | Kōya no Shōnen Isamu | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1973-1974 | Zero Tester | TV series | Sunrise | Storyboards | |
| 1973-1974 | Karate Master | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1973-1974 | Aim for the Ace! | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1973-1974 | Samurai Giants [ja] | TV series | A Production | Storyboards | |
| 1974-1975 | Vicky the Viking | TV series | Zuiyo, Nippon Animation | Episode director | |
| 1974 | Hoshi no Ko Chobin | TV series | Studio Zero | Storyboards for all episodes | |
| 1974–1975 | Tamageta kun [ja] | TV series | Studio Zero | Animation director, episode director | |
| 1974 | Space Battleship Yamato Pilot | Television pilot | Office Academy | Storyboards | |
| 1974-1975 | Space Battleship Yamato | TV series | Office Academy | Animation director, episode director for all episodes, storyboards | He assisted Leiji Matsumoto, a manga artist who became a director without any experience in actually producing anime, and did the actual direction. He checked all the storyboards and reflected the images of Matsumoto and producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki in the work. |
| 1975-1994 | Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi [ja] | TV series | Group TAC | Episode director | |
| 1975-1976 | Arabian Nights: Sinbad's Adventures | TV series | Nippon Animation | Storyboards | |
| 1975-1977 | Grendizer | TV series | Tōei Dōga | Storyboards | |
| 1976-1977 | Chōdenji Robo Combattler V | TV series | Tohokushinsha, Soeisha | Storyboards | |
| 1976-1977 | Little Lulu and Her Little Friends | TV series | Nippon Animation | Storyboards | |
| 1976-1979 | Dokaben | TV series | Nippon Animation | Storyboards | |
| 1976-1979 | Manga Sekai Mukashi Banashi | TV series | Madhouse | Episode director | |
| 1976-1977 | Robokko Beaton [ja] | TV series | Soeisha | Episode director, storyboards | |
| 1977-1979 | Yatterman | TV series | Tatsunoko Production | Episode director | |
| 1977 | Jetter Mars | TV series | Tōei Dōga, Madhouse | Episode director | |
| 1977 | Space Battleship Yamato | Feature film | Office Academy | Animation director | Toshio Masuda, the director of the live-action film, who was credited as a supervisor in the TV series but was not involved in the production, edited the footage from the TV series and was credited as the film director. |
| 1977 | Glacier Warrior Gaislugger [ja] | TV series | Tokyo Movie | Chief Director, Episode Director | |
| 1977-1978 | Temple the Balloonist | TV series | Tatsunoko Production | Episode director | |
| 1977-1980 | Lupin the 3rd Part II | TV series | Tokyo Movie | Episode director, storyboards | |
| 1977–1978 | Manga Nihon Emaki [ja] | TV series | World Television | Series director | |
| 1978 | Future Boy Conan | TV series | Nippon Animation | Storyboards | |
| 1978 | Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato | Feature film | Tōei Dōga | Technical director | Unlike the previous film, Masuda actively participated in the production by directing and writing the script, while Ishiguro assisted him in the animation process. |
| 1978–1979 | Space Battleship Yamato II | TV series | Academy Seisaku | Series director, episode director for all episodes, storyboards | As in the previous work, he assisted Matsumoto. Matsumoto, who was very busy, could hardly participate in the production, and Ishiguro played the role of director. |
| 1978-1981 | Galaxy Express 999 | TV series | Tōei Dōga | OP key frame | |
| 1978-1979 | Captain Future | TV series | Tōei Dōga | Storyboards | |
| 1979-1980 | The Ultraman | TV series | Sunrise | Storyboards | |
| 1979 | Yamato: The New Voyage | Television film | Artland | Technical director | He assisted producer Nishizaki, who had replaced Matsumoto as director himself. |
| 1980 | Ganbare Gonbe [ja] | TV series | Tsuchida Production | Storyboards | |
| 1980 | Phoenix 2772 | Feature film | Tezuka Productions | Animation director | |
| 1980–1981 | Astro Boy | TV series | Tezuka Productions | Series director, script, storyboards | |
| 1981-1987 | Ninja Hattori-kun | TV series | Shin-Ei Animation | Script, storyboards | |
| 1982 | Thunderbirds 2086 | TV series | Green Box, AIC | Supervisor, script | |
| 1982–1983 | Super Dimension Fortress Macross | TV series | Tatsunoko Production, Artland | Chief director, script, episode director, storyboards, voice actor | |
| 1982-1983 | Tokimeki Tonight | TV series | Group TAC | Storyboards | |
| 1983–1984 | Super Dimension Century Orguss | TV series | Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Artland | Chief director, episode director, storyboards | |
| 1983 | Prime Rose [ja] | Television film | Tezuka Productions | Storyboards | |
| 1984 | Noozles | TV series | Nippon Animation | Episode director, storyboards | |
| 1984 | Macross: Do You Remember Love? | Feature film | Tatsunoko Production, Artland | Director | |
| 1985 | Megazone 23 – Part I | OVA | Artland, Tatsunoko | Original author, director, mecha design | |
| 1985-1986 | Ninja Senshi Tobikage | TV series | Pierrot | Episode director, storyboards | |
| 1985 | Yamata no Orochi no Gyakushū | Independent film | Daicon Film | Provision of equipment | |
| 1986 | Animated Classics of Japanese Literature (The Harp of Burma) | TV series | Nippon Animation, Artland | Episode director, storyboards | |
| 1986 | Megazone 23 – Part II: Please Give Me Your Secret | OVA | Artland, Tatsunoko | Original author, general supervisor | |
| 1988 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest is the Sea of Stars | Feature film | Madhouse, Artland | Director | |
| 1988 | Topo Gigio | TV series | Nippon Animation, Trans Arts | Series director, script, storyboards | |
| 1988-1989 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Part I | OVA | Kitty Films | Series director, episode director, storyboards | |
| 1989 | Twin [ja] | OVA | Lifework | Director , storyboards | |
| 1989 | Star Cat Fullhouse [ja] | OVA | Artland | Original author, director, lyrics for OP and ED theme songs | |
| 1990 | Koiko's Daily Life [ja] | OVA | Artland | Director, storyboards | |
| 1989 | Megazone 23 – Part III | OVA | AIC, Artmic | Original author | |
| 1989 | Locke the Superman: Lord Leon | OVA | Nippon Animation | Director | |
| 1989 | Aoki Honō [ja] | OVA | Artland, Nippon Animation | Director, storyboards | |
| 1990 | Heavy | Feature film | Nippon Animation | Director, storyboards | |
| 1991 | Shōnen Ashibe | OVA | Nippon Animation | Director | |
| 1991 | Bubblegum Crash | OVA | Artland | Supervisor | |
| 1991-1992 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Part II | OVA | Kitty Films | Chief director, storyboards | |
| 1991 | Meisō-Ō Border: Shakaifukki-hen [ja] | OVA | Artland | Director, storyboards | |
| 1992 | Hard & Loose: Shiritsu Tantei Toki Shozō Trouble Notes [ja] | OVA | Artland, Nippon Animation | Director, script, storyboards | |
| 1992 | Tottoi | Television film | Nippon Animation, Artland | Supervisor | |
| 1992–1993 | Mikan Enikki | TV series | Nippon Animation | Series director, storyboards | |
| 1994 | Kunichan no Ikka Ran Ran | Short film | Nippon Animation | Segment director | A short anime included in the omnibus movie Dai 2-kai Kinchan no Cinema Jack [ja]. |
| 1994-1995 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Part III | OVA | Kitty Films | Chief director, storyboards | |
| 1996 | Bucket de Gohan [ja] | TV series | Magic Bus | Storyboards | |
| 1996-1997 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Part IV | OVA | K-Factory | Chief director, storyboards | |
| 1998 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Side Stories: A Hundred Billion Stars, a Hundred Billion Lights | OVA | K–Factory | Chief director , episode director, storyboards | |
| 1999–2001 | Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Side Stories: Spiral Labyrinth | OVA | K-Factory | Chief director , storyboards | |
| 1999–2002 | 10 Tokyo Warriors | OVA | Zexcs | Chief director, episode director, storyboards | |
| 2005-2006 | Mushi-Shi | TV series | Artland | Production management | |
| 2006 | We Were There | TV series | Artland | Production management | |
| 2006-2010 | Reborn! | TV series | Artland | Supervisor | |
| 2008–2009 | Tytania | TV series | Artland | Series director, storyboards | |
| 2008 | Pattenrai!! | Feature film | Mushi Production | Director, storyboards | |