Yoshiaki Kyougoku

Directing

Yoshiaki Kyougoku (京極 義昭, Kyōgoku Yoshiaki) is a Japanese animation director and storyboard artist who began his career at Production I.G. He began his career working in animation and gradually moved into higher‑level roles across various television series. Over the years he has contributed as an animator, storyboard artist, and episode director for several major productions. He made his debut as a series director in 2018 with Yuru Camp△, a project that established his reputation in the industry. Before that, he directed notable episodes of Yama no Susume Second Season, including de episode Dear My Friend, a key turning point in the story. His work is often described as visually grounded and realistic, influenced by the films of Hayao Miyazaki, which he admired from a young age. Following Yuru Camp△, he directed its second season in 2021 and the franchise's feature film in 2022. His credits also include work on Tokyo Ghoul, Kuroko's Basketball, Blood-C, Robotics;Notes, Gleipnir, Usagi Drop, and YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, among others.