Line #35 Creator/HiroyukiImaishi


1	[[quoteright:301:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/imaishi02.png]]
2	''Imaishi? Who's that?''
3
4	'''''[[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK HE IS?!?!?]]'''''
5
6	Hiroyuki Imaishi (born October 4, 1971) is an {{Anime}} director and animator, and co-founder of Creator/StudioTrigger, also well-known for his work at Creator/StudioGainax.
7
8	Imaishi began his animation career in 1995, working on the iconic anime ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' as a key animator. He continued to work on other Gainax works such as ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'' and ''Anime/DieBuster'' in various animation roles. The first two anime he worked on as a director were the Creator/ProductionIG film ''Anime/DeadLeaves'' and the first episode of the ''[[Anime/CuteyHoney Re: Cutie Honey]]'' OVA.
9
10	Imaishi's debut as a series director was the 2007 Gainax anime ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', released to critical acclaim. He also directed the 2010 anime ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'', months before leaving Gainax. In August of 2011, he co-founded Studio Trigger and made his studio debut as director in ''Anime/KillLaKill'', released in 2013.
11
12	Imaishi is famous for his fast-paced action series, which are often overdosed with RuleOfCool and {{Fanservice}}. His works are also known for having distinct and unique art styles, ranging from gritty and sketchy to inspired by 90's cartoons.
13	----
14
15	!Works Directed by Imaishi:
16	[[index]]
17	* ''Anime/DeadLeaves'' (2004)
18	* ''Anime/ReCutieHoney'' (Episode 1, 2004)
19	* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' (2007)
20	* ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'' (2010)
21	* ''Anime/KillLaKill'' (2013)
22	* ''SEX and VIOLENCE with MACHSPEED'' (''Anime/JapanAnimatorExpo'' short, 2015)
23	* ''Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco'' (2016)
24	* ''Anime/{{Promare}}'' (2019)
25	* ''Anime/StarWarsVisions'' (Episode "The Twins", 2021)
26	* ''Anime/CyberpunkEdgerunners'' (2022)
27	[[/index]]
28	----
29
30	!!Other Works Imaishi has Worked On:
31	* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' (1995) -- Key and Inbetween Animator
32	* ''Anime/SaberMarionetteJ'' -- Key Animator for episode 19
33	* ''Anime/GaoGaiGar'' -- Key Animator for episodes 28 and 30
34	* ''Franchise/LupinIII'' (1997-2003) -- Key Animator for "Island Of Assassins", "Crisis In Tokyo", "Alcatraz Connection", and "Return The Treasure".
35	* ''Manga/HisAndHerCircumstances'' (1998) -- Co-wrote Episode 19, Animation Director for Episodes 3, 11 and 19, Key Animator for Episodes 3, 10, 19 and 24-26, Storyboarder for Episodes 1, 3, 8, 19 and 24.
36	* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' (1999) -- Animation Director, storyboard artist and key animator for episode 14.
37	* ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'' (2000) -- Animation Director for Episode 5, also provided Storyboards, Key Animation, Art Layouts and Setting for other episodes
38	* ''Anime/ShamanKing2001'' -- Key Animator for both opening animations
39	* ''Manga/CromartieHighSchool'' (2003) -- Storyboards for the opening animation
40	* ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist2003'' (2003) -- Key Animator for episodes 4 and 22
41	* ''Anime/SamuraiChamploo'' -- Storyboard for episode 9
42	* ''Manga/BlackCat'' (2005) -- Storyboard and Key Animator for episode 18
43	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' (2007) -- Key Animator for episode 25
44	* ''Anime/{{Redline}}'' (2009) -- Key Animator
45	* ''Anime/ProfessorLaytonAndTheEternalDiva'' (2009) -- Storyboard
46	* ''Anime/BlackRockShooter'' (2012) -- CG Battle Director
47	* ''Anime/LupinIIITheWomanCalledFujikoMine'' -- Key Animator for episode 12
48	* ''WebAnimation/InfernoCop'' (2012) -- Supervisor
49	* ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademia2013'' -- Story Cooperation
50	* ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademiaTheEnchantedParade'' (2015) -- Key Animator and Story Cooperation
51	* ''Literature/NinjaSlayer'' (2015) -- Character Designer
52	* ''VideoGame/{{Aikatsu}}'' -- Key Animator for episode 159
53	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Nerdland}}'' (2016) -- Animation for one of the "Video XV" sequences
54	* ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademia2017'' -- Key Animator for episodes 3, 18, and 25, Storyboard for episodes 8 and 25
55	* ''WesternAnimation/OKKOLetsBeHeroes'' (2017) -- Storyboards for the opening animation
56	* ''Anime/DarlingInTheFranxx'' (2018) -- Action scene Storyboards
57	----
58
59	![[Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt List tropes, you motherfucker!]]
60	* AuthorAppeal:
61	** He is a fan of the mecha genre, which served as the basis for ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'''s conception.
62	** He's also a big fan of western media in general, which is especially prominent in ''Panty & Stocking''.
63	* ArtShift: As mentioned above, his shows have two distinct art styles: The rough and gritty direction taken by ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' and ''Anime/KillLaKill'', and the one taken by ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'' and ''Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco'', both of which could pass off as 90's cartoons.
64	* BadassAdorable: Most of his protagonists are endearingly adorable, but they're still the protagonists of [[WorldOfBadass his shows]].
65	* CreatorThumbprint:
66	** At first, it was drills. It first appeared in ''Anime/DeadLeaves'' as a character's GagPenis before becoming the weapon for many characters in ''Gurren Lagann''. It later appeared as the Ultimate Weapon in ''Panty & Stocking'', and finally in ''Kill la Kill'' as the weapon of a [[MonsterOfTheWeek Two-Star Student's]] Goku Uniform.
67	** Clothes have become this for him. In ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'', the titular characters and their rivals could transform various lingerie into weapons. In ''Anime/KillLaKill'', clothes are used to boost the wearer's abilities immensely and grant them various powers. ''Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco'' seems to strike a balance between the two: in it, clothes are used to transform ''the wearer'' into a weapon.
68	** He loves referencing his past works, as mentioned in {{Expy}}.
69	* CrossesTheLineTwice: Expect his shows to have very few restraints in the way of humor.
70	* {{Expy}}: All of his shows have at least one character inspired by another one from a previous Gainax or Trigger work:
71	** [[Anime/DeadLeaves Retro]] is partially based off of [[Anime/{{FLCL}} Canti]].
72	** [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Simon]] is a {{composite\| character}} expy of [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji Ikari]] and [[Anime/{{FLCL}} Naota Nandaba]].
73	** [[Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt The Daemon Sisters]] are similar appearance wise to [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Yoko Littner and Nia Teppelin]].
74	** [[Anime/KillLaKill Ryuko Matoi]] is a blend of Simon and Anime/{{Panty An\|d Stocking With Garterbelt}}archy. Likewise, Satsuki Kiryuin is based off of Lordgenome, Rossiu Adai, and Stocking Anarchy.
75	** Up to eleven in ''Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco'' where everyone is an expy to a previous series [[spoiler: or a cameo from a previous series.]]
76	* {{Fanservice}}: ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'' was built on this premise, with ''Anime/KillLaKill'' even turning this into a plot point.
77	* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: It's been noted that his shows do much better in America than in Japan. In fact, [[NeverAcceptedInHisHometown this is why]] ''Panty & Stocking'' failed in Japan; by making great attempts to appeal to Western audiences, the show alienated much of its domestic audience.
78	* GodDoesNotOwnThisWorld: Imaishi does not own the rights to ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' or ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'', both being part of Creator/StudioGainax. He would later make a [[http://imgur.com/a/rFpaa sequel doujin]] for the latter.
79	** [[SubvertedTrope No longer the case]] for the former as of March 2021, according to [[https://animesweet.com/anime/gainax-loses-the-copyright-to-tengen-toppa-gurren-lagann this]] report.
80	* {{Homage}}:
81	** ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' is essentially a love letter to mecha anime, with each major arc representing an era of the history of the genre.
82	** ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'' serves the same purpose for WesternAnimation, and takes cues from all kinds of American culture. ''SEX and VIOLENCE with MACHSPEED'' itself serves as one to ''Panty & Stocking''.
83	** ''Anime/KillLaKill'' is a big one to ''Anime/ProjectAKo'', which inspired much of the cast found in ''Kill la Kill''.
84	** ''Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco'' is self-reflexively one to Creator/StudioTrigger and Imaishi anime. Yes, he made a homage ''to himself''.
85	* ImprobableWeaponUser: Clothes.
86	* LimitedAnimation: Happens frequently, and quite often [[StylisticSuck deliberately]]. The use of limited animation adds a lot of charm to comedic moments in his works, especially if it's apparent that the work itself is not lacking in production value. For example, limiting the animation in certain parts of [[BeachEpisode "If Angels Wore Swimsuits"]] in ''Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt'' helps ramp up both the comedy and the chaos caused by the MonsterOfTheWeek.
87	* LoveHurts: If there's an OfficialCouple in his show, chances are that one of the lovers won't come out of the series alive. [[spoiler:Just ask [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Nia Teppelin]], [[Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco Alpha Omega Nova]], and [[Anime/CyberpunkEdgerunners David Martinez]].]]
88	* ProductionPosse: Tends to have the same crew members for his shows; with ''Kill la Kill’s'' [[Creator/HiroyukiYoshino Elite]] [[Creator/MayumiShintani Four]] [[Creator/NobuyukiHiyama and]] [[Creator/KatsuyukiKonishi Team]] [[Creator/TetsuInada Pet]] being the most frequently cast. People can say they are Imaishi’s FiveManBand.
89	** Creator/AmiKoshimizu voiced Ryuko Matoi in ''Kill la Kill'', and Ellis Ardebit in ''Promare''.
90	** Creator/AyumiFujimura voiced Kneesocks in ''Panty & Stocking'' and Mataro and Rei in ''Kill la Kill''.
91	** Music/HiroyukiSawano is the composer for ''Kill la Kill'', and ''Promare''.
92	** Creator/HiroyukiYoshino voiced Brief in ''Panty & Stocking'', Inamuta in ''Kill la Kill'', and Remi Puguna in ''Promare''.
93	** Creator/KatsuyukiKonishi voiced Kamina in ''Gurren Lagann'', Tsumugu and Guts in ''Kill la Kill'', and Meis in ''Promare''.
94	** Creator/KazukiNakashima is Imaishi's partner-in-crime in charge of scriptwriting ''Gurren Lagann'', ''Kill la Kill'', and ''Promare''.
95	** Creator/MarinaInoue voiced Yoko in ''Gurren Lagann'' and Maiko in ''Kill la Kill''.
96	** Creator/MayumiShintani voiced Jakuzure in ''Kill la Kill'', Midori in ''Space Patrol Luluco'', and Lucia Fex in ''Promare''. They also worked together on ''Anime/{{FLCL}}''.
97	** Creator/NobuyukiHiyama voiced Viral in ''Gurren Lagann'', Sanageyama in ''Kill la Kill'', Space Patrol Galaxy Commander-in-Chief in ''Space Patrol Luluco'', and Gueira in ''Promare''.
98	** Creator/RyokaYuzuki voiced Satsuki Kiryuin from ''Kill la Kill'', and Biar Colossus in ''Promare''.
99	** Teddyloid, the main composer of ''Panty & Stocking'', also composed the ending for ''Space Patrol Luluco''.
100	** Creator/TetsuInada voiced Gamagoori in ''Kill la Kill'', Over Justice in ''Space Patrol Luluco'', and Varys Truss in ''Promare''.
101	** Creator/YukariFukui voiced Nia in ''Gurren Lagann'' and Sukuyo in ''Kill la Kill''.
102	* RecurringElement:
103	** A character who reveals their true allegiance by betraying their allies, usually by attacking them from the back ([[spoiler:[[Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt Stocking Anarchy]], [[Anime/KillLaKill Satsuki Kiryuin]], [[Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco Alpha Omega Nova]], [[Anime/CyberpunkEdgerunners Kiwi]]]]).
104	** A character who may [[TheNotLoveInterest or may not]] be the protagonist's LoveInterest, who ends up dying as a result of fighting the FinalBoss [[spoiler:([[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Nia Teppelin]], [[Anime/KillLaKill Senketsu]], [[Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco Alpha Omega Nova]]). Inverted in ''Anime/CyberpunkEdgerunners'' as the protagonist (David Martinez) meets his end to the FinalBoss while the LoveInterest (Lucy) comes out alive.]]
105	* RuleOfCool: What most of his shows run on.
106	* {{Reconstruction}}: ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' brought back the fun the mecha genre was known for. Likewise, ''Anime/KillLaKill'' served as one to the MagicalGirlWarrior genre.
107	* SignatureStyle: His [[ArtShift signature art styles]], [[QuirkyWork batshit insane premises]], and [[RuleOfCool lack of common sense in favor of awesomeness]] have become trademarks of his.
108	* SpiritualAntithesis:
109	** ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' is one to ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''.
110	** ''Anime/KillLaKill'' is one to ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''.
111	* SpiritualSuccessor:
112	** ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' is one to ''Anime/{{FLCL}}''.
113	** ''Anime/PantyAndStockingWithGarterbelt'' is one to ''Anime/DeadLeaves''.
114	** ''Anime/KillLaKill'' is one to ''Gurren Lagann''.
115	* TheVerse: [[spoiler:''Space Patrol Luluco'' shows that many Trigger shows exist in one]].
116	* WordOfDante: A very weird example: Imaishi [[http://imgur.com/a/rFpaa released a doujin]] that serves as a sequel to ''Panty & Stocking'' [[spoiler:and connects it to ''Space Patrol Luluco'']]. But because [[GodDoesNotOwnThisWorld the show still belongs to Gainax]], it is dubiously canon.
117	* WorldOfBadass
118	* WorldOfHam

Context Creator / HiroyukiImaishi