is a Japanese

anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...

director. He joined

Toei Animation is a Japanese animation studio primarily controlled by its namesake Toei Company. It has produced numerous series, including '' Sally the Witch'', '' GeGeGe no Kitarō'', '' Mazinger Z'', '' Galaxy Express 999'', '' Cutie Honey'', '' Dr. Slu ...

in 1992, where he directed part of ''

One Piece ''One Piece'' (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as he explores the Grand Line in search of the myt ...

'', ''

Suite PreCure is a Japanese anime series and the eighth installment in Izumi Todo's ''Pretty Cure'' metaseries. The series is produced by Toei Animation and directed by Munehisa Sakai, who directed the ''One Piece'' anime series. Character designs wer ...

'', and ''

Sailor Moon Crystal ''Sailor Moon Crystal'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime series based on the ''shōjo'' manga series ''Sailor Moon'' written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi, produced in commemoration of the original series' 20th anniversary. Pr ...

''. After leaving Toei Animation and joining

MAPPA is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo (formerly in Suginami, Tokyo). Founded in 2011 by Madhouse co-founder and producer Masao Maruyama, it has produced anime works including '' Terror in Resonance'', '' Yuri!!! on I ...

in 2017, he has directed '' Zombie Land Saga'', '' Mr Love: Queen's Choice'', and '' Dance Dance Danseur''. Sakai later joined Studio Kai in 2022.

Biography

While in an animator school, one of the teachers introduced Sakai to

, which he joined in 1992. From 2006 to 2008, Sakai directed ''

''; Sakai also directed '' One Piece Film: Strong World'' in 2009. ''One Piece Film: Strong World'' won the award for excellence in animation of at the year and was nominated for animation of the year at the 34th Japan Academy Film Prize. In 2011, Sakai directed ''

''. In 2014, he directed ''

''. In 2017, Sakai left Toei Animation and joined

. In 2018, Sakai directed '' Zombie Land Saga''. The series won the animation of the year award in the television category at the Tokyo Anime Awards Festival in 2019. It was also nominated for anime of the year at the 2019

Crunchyroll Anime Awards The Crunchyroll Anime Awards, also known simply as The Anime Awards, are awards given annually by the anime streaming service Crunchyroll to recognize the best anime of the previous year. Announced in December 2016, the awards were first prese ...

. In 2020, he directed '' Mr Love: Queen's Choice''. In 2022, Sakai will direct the anime adaptation of '' Dance Dance Danseur''. In 2022, Sakai left MAPPA, and joined Studio Kai. Later, he directed and made the storyboard for third episode of '' 7th Time Loop'' which aired on January 21, 2024.

Works

TV series

* ''

GeGeGe no Kitarō , originally known as , is a Japanese manga series created in 1960 by Shigeru Mizuki. It is best known for its popularization of the folklore creatures known as , a class of spirit-monster which all of the main characters belong t ...

'' (1996–1998) (episode director) * '' Dr. Slump'' (1997–1999) (episode director) * '' Himitsu no Akko-chan'' (1998–1999) (episode director) * ''

'' (2006–2008) (director) * ''

'' (2011–2012) (director) * ''

Days A day is the time period of a full rotation of the Earth with respect to the Sun. On average, this is 24 hours (86,400 seconds). As a day passes at a given location it experiences morning, afternoon, evening, and night. This daily cyc ...

'' (2016) (deputy director) * '' Kakegurui'' (2017) (opening director) * '' Zombie Land Saga'' (2018–2021) (director) * '' Mr Love: Queen's Choice'' (2020) (director) * '' Dance Dance Danseur'' (2022) (director) * '' 7th Time Loop'' (2024) (episode director and storyboard; episode 3)

Films

* '' One Piece Film: Strong World'' (2009) (director)

Web series

* ''

'' (2014–2015) (director)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sakai, Munehisa Anime directors Japanese animators Japanese film directors Japanese television directors Living people 1971 births