Hiroko Utsumi Explained

is a Japanese anime director, animator, storyboard artist, and manga artist. She is best known for her work with Kyoto Animation, particularly as the original director of Free!. After leaving Kyoto Animation's affiliate company Animation Do, she directed the anime adaptation of Banana Fish manga, and created and directed SK8 the Infinity with Bones. She is a graduate of the Osaka Municipal College of Design.

Works

Television animation

• Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (2005), animator
• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006), animator
• Kanon (2006–2007), animator
• Lucky Star (2007), animator
• Clannad (2007–2008), animator
• Clannad After Story (2008–2009), animator
• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2009), assistant director and animator
• K-On! (2009), animator
• K-On!! (2010), storyboard artist, episode director, animator
• Nichijou (My Ordinary Life) (2011), storyboard artist, episode director, animator
• Hyouka (2012), storyboard artist, episode director and animator
• Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions (2012), storyboard artist and episode director
• Tamako Market (2013), storyboard artist and animator
• Beyond the Boundary (2013–2014), storyboard artist and episode director
• Free! (2013), series director, storyboard artist, episode director, unit director
• Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions -Heart Throb- (2014), storyboard artist
• Free! Eternal Summer (2014), series director, storyboard artist, episode director
• Days (2016), storyboard artist and unit director for closing animation
• Bungo Stray Dogs (2016), storyboard artist
• My Hero Academia (2017), storyboard artist and unit director for second season closing animation
• (2017), storyboard artist
• Banana Fish (2018), series director, storyboard artist, episode director
• Dororo (2019), storyboard artist
• SK8 the Infinity (2021–present), series director, original creator, storyboard artist, episode director
• Teaser PV (2021), key animator
• Bucchigiri?! (2024), series director, original creator^[1]

Original video animation

• Lucky Star OVA (2008), animator
• K-On! (2010), unit director and animator
• SK8 the Infinity Extra Part (2025), director^[2]

Film animation

• Munto (2009), animator
• The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010), animator and unit director
• K-On!: The Movie (2011), animator and unit director
• Tamako Love Story (2014), production committee
• (2016), animation director and animator

Manga

• Super Carve! (2016–present), serialized in Animedia

Short animation

• Star (2011), animator
• Swimsuit (2013), storyboard artist

Notes and References

1. Web site: Banana Fish Director Hiroko Utsumi, MAPPA Unveil Bucchigiri?! TV Anime for January. Anime News Network. May 21, 2023. May 21, 2023.
2. Web site: Sk8 the Infinity OVA Reveals March 19 Release with Theatrical Premiere on January 24. Anime News Network. October 11, 2024. October 11, 2024.