Hiroyuki Konishi (小西 裕之, Konishi Hiroyuki; born 14 August 1963) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1988…Hiroyuki Konishi (小西 裕之, Konishi Hiroyuki; born 14 August 1963) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Ryo Takamisaki (鷹岬 諒, Takamisaki Ryō; born August 14, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist from Tsuchiura, Ibaraki…Ryo Takamisaki (鷹岬 諒, Takamisaki Ryō; born August 14, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist from Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture who is known for his work on the manga series MegaMan NT Warrior. He is a graduate of Ibaraki Prefectural Tsuchiura First High School and Nagoya University.
Manabu Saito (齋藤 学, Saitō Manabu; born August 12, 1963) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current…Manabu Saito (齋藤 学, Saitō Manabu; born August 12, 1963) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current first squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Chunichi Dragons and the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.
Kōji Kitao (Japanese: 北尾 光司; August 12, 1963 – February 10, 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler (rikishi), professional…Kōji Kitao (Japanese: 北尾 光司; August 12, 1963 – February 10, 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler (rikishi), professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist. As Futahaguro Kōji (双羽黒 光司) he was sumo's 60th yokozuna, and the only one in sumo history not to win a top division tournament championship. He was forced to leave sumo at the end of 1987 after a falling-out with his stable master Tatsunami, and became a professional wrestler in 1990, primarily for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Super World of Sports (SWS). He also had a short film career as an actor, portraying a sumo wrestler in Jean-Claude Van Damme's 1996 martial arts film The Quest.
Hiromi Makihara (槙原 寛己, Makihara Hiromi) (born August 11, 1963) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Hiromi Makihara (槙原 寛己, Makihara Hiromi) (born August 11, 1963) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He was a six-time Central League All-Star, won Rookie of the Year honors, and pitched a perfect game in a 19-year career with the Yomiuri Giants.
Tsuyoshi Hoshino (星野剛士, Hoshino Tsuyoshi; born 8 August 1963) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House…Tsuyoshi Hoshino (星野剛士, Hoshino Tsuyoshi; born 8 August 1963) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. From 1995 to 2007, he was a member of the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly.
Masahiko Kageyama (影山 正彦, Kageyama Masahiko; born August 8, 1963 in Kanagawa Prefecture) is a former racing driver from…Masahiko Kageyama (影山 正彦, Kageyama Masahiko; born August 8, 1963 in Kanagawa Prefecture) is a former racing driver from Japan. He participated in the Japanese Grand Touring Car series in the top category between 1993 and 2002. Kageyama won the inaugural Japanese Grand Touring Car championship, in the Nismo Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, before winning the next two championships. Kageyama also won the All-Japan Formula Three Championship in 1989, and the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1993. Along with Nissan Motorsports teammates Aguri Suzuki and Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Kageyama drove a Nissan R390 GT1 to a third-place finish at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans. Kageyama is the CEO of M-Proto Inc., a supplier of brake pads, based in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. His younger brother is Masami Kageyama, who also competed in JGTC and at Le Mans.
Emiko Shinohara (Japanese: 篠原 恵美子, Hepburn: Shinohara Emiko; August 8, 1963 – September 8, 2024), known professionally…Emiko Shinohara (Japanese: 篠原 恵美子, Hepburn: Shinohara Emiko; August 8, 1963 – September 8, 2024), known professionally as Emi Shinohara (篠原 恵美, Shinohara Emi), was a Japanese voice actress from Fukushima Prefecture. At the time of her death, she was affiliated with 81 Produce. She was best known for voicing Sailor Jupiter in the first anime adaptation of Sailor Moon, Kaho Mizuki in Cardcaptor Sakura and its sequel Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, and Kushina Uzumaki in Naruto: Shippuden. She was married to tokusatsu actor Hiroshi Watari, best known for playing the titular hero in Space Sheriff Sharivan.
Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子, Yamano Satoko; born August 2, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Higashiōsaka…Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子, Yamano Satoko; born August 2, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan. She is known for having performed over 1,000 songs, famously the second opening rendition of Doraemon no Uta that was used as the opening theme song for the Doraemon television series from 1992 to 2002 and for the Doraemon films from 1989 to 2004.
Koichi Wakata (若田 光一, Wakata Kōichi; born 1 August 1963) is a Japanese engineer and an astronaut working for Axiom…Koichi Wakata (若田 光一, Wakata Kōichi; born 1 August 1963) is a Japanese engineer and an astronaut working for Axiom Space. Wakata retired from JAXA in 2024 after a career in spaceflight spanning nearly two decades. He logged over 500 days in space across five missions: three aboard the Space Shuttle, one on the Soyuz, and one on the Crew Dragon. His missions included three long-duration stays on the International Space Station (ISS) and two short-duration flights—one to the ISS and one aboard the Space Shuttle. Notably, during Expedition 39, he became the first Japanese commander of the ISS.
Junji Ito (Japanese: 伊藤 潤二, Hepburn: Itō Junji; born July 31, 1963) is a Japanese horror manga artist. Some of his most…Junji Ito (Japanese: 伊藤 潤二, Hepburn: Itō Junji; born July 31, 1963) is a Japanese horror manga artist. Some of his most notable works include Tomie, a series chronicling an immortal girl who drives her stricken admirers to madness; Uzumaki, a three-volume series about a town cursed by spirals; and Gyo, a two-volume story in which fish are controlled by a strain of bacteria called "the death stench." His other works include The Junji Ito Horror Comic Collection, a collection of his many short stories, and Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu, a self-parody about him and his wife living in a house with two cats. Ito's work has developed a substantial cult following, and Ito has been called an iconic horror manga artist. His manga has been adapted to both film and anime television series, including the Tomie film series and both the Junji Ito Collection and Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre anime anthology series.
Tomoko Kitamura (北村 智子, Kitamura Tomoko; born July 28, 1963) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler better known…Tomoko Kitamura (北村 智子, Kitamura Tomoko; born July 28, 1963) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler better known by her ring name Lioness Asuka (ライオネス 飛鳥, Raionesu Asuka). She was one half of the Crush Gals professional wrestling tag team, along with Chigusa Nagayo, who are known for their mainstream popularity in the 1980s, and for being one of the most successful women's tag teams of all time.
Michiyo Yanagisawa (柳沢三千代, Yanagisawa Michiyo) (born July 26, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and narrator affiliated…Michiyo Yanagisawa (柳沢三千代, Yanagisawa Michiyo) (born July 26, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and narrator affiliated with Aoni Production. She is best known for her voice role as Currypanman on the long-running children's television anime series Let's Go! Anpanman.
Daisuke Imanaka (今中 大介, Imanaka Daisuke; born 24 July 1963, in Hiroshima, Hiroshima) is a Japanese former professional…Daisuke Imanaka (今中 大介, Imanaka Daisuke; born 24 July 1963, in Hiroshima, Hiroshima) is a Japanese former professional racing cyclist, who helped to pioneer professional cycling in Japan. Following the lead of Masatoshi Ichikawa, he rode professionally in Europe for the Italian Team Polti and in 1995 became the second Japanese to compete in the Giro d'Italia (after Ichikawa). In 1996, he became the second Japanese to start the Tour de France (after Kisso Kawamuro). On both occasions, he had to retire before finishing the race. His major victories include three wins in the Tour de Hokkaido. He is now a frequent commentator on broadcasts of cycling races in Japan and also serves as technical adviser for Team Ukyo.
Naoko Kawai (河合奈保子) (born 24 July 1963) is a Japanese former pop idol, singer-songwriter, and composer who was active…Naoko Kawai (河合奈保子) (born 24 July 1963) is a Japanese former pop idol, singer-songwriter, and composer who was active in the 1980s. Kawai was from the same generation as Seiko Matsuda, Yoshimi Iwasaki, Junko Mihara and Yoshie Kashiwabara, who all debuted in 1980. After her marriage in 1996, she changed her maiden surname to Naoko Kanehara (金原奈保子) and completely suspended music activities. Since then, Kawai has resided in Australia.
Kotaro Tamura (田村 耕太郎, Tamura Kōtarō; born July 23, 1963) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kotaro Tamura (田村 耕太郎, Tamura Kōtarō; born July 23, 1963) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (2002–2010). He was a member of Prime Minister Abe's government, serving as his Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office of Economic and Fiscal Policy, where he worked toward opening up Japanese businesses to foreign investment. A native of Tottori, he received his BA from Waseda University, his MBA from Keio University, his MA from Yale, and his LLM from Duke Law School. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2002.
Keiko Fujiie (Japanese: 藤家渓子), born in 1963 in Kyoto, is a composer whose music is frequently performed both in Japan…Keiko Fujiie (Japanese: 藤家渓子), born in 1963 in Kyoto, is a composer whose music is frequently performed both in Japan and internationally. She is best known for guitar compositions, many of them for the distinguished Japanese guitarist (also her husband) Kazuhito Yamashita, and organizes the guitar quintet that bears his name. She has twice won the Otaka Prize.
Michi Takahashi (real name: Michiyo Takahashi, Christian name: Saint Mary Chiara, maiden name: Yoshimura, born July 22…Michi Takahashi (real name: Michiyo Takahashi, Christian name: Saint Mary Chiara, maiden name: Yoshimura, born July 22, 1963) is a teddy bear artist in Japan. She is well known in the teddy bear industry in the world as the pioneer teddy bear artist in Japan, who enhanced the charm of teddy bear as an art, not just a stuffed toy. One of her masterpieces "Look Here Bees! I'm Good Boy Takuya!" was nominated for TOBY awards in 1996¸ and won the highest praise from teddy bear fans in the world. She depicted the art of Takuya Kimura, whom she admires. Michi is also an art producer, an art director, and a soft sculptor. Her husband, Hiro Takahashi (Teddy bear artist), is also a teddy bear artist.
Yoshihiro Senda (千田 嘉博, Senda Yoshihiro; born July 19, 1963) is a Japanese castle archeologist. He is a professor at…Yoshihiro Senda (千田 嘉博, Senda Yoshihiro; born July 19, 1963) is a Japanese castle archeologist. He is a professor at Nara University and was president of the university from April 2014 to August 2016. His work focuses on the excavation and maintenance of castles from medieval and modern Japan, as well as comparative studies of castles around the world including those in Europe and Mongolia. He received the Hamada Seiryō Prize in 2015. He worked as a historical consultant for the taiga drama Sanada Maru in 2016. He has made several appearances on television. His books include Nobunaga's Castles, published by Iwanami Shoten.
Itsuji Itao (板尾 創路, Itao Itsuji; born July 18, 1963) is a Japanese comedian and actor. He is a member of the comedy duo…Itsuji Itao (板尾 創路, Itao Itsuji; born July 18, 1963) is a Japanese comedian and actor. He is a member of the comedy duo 130R and former cast member of one of Downtown's previous shows. He usually appears in their batsu games.
Satoru Higashi (東 悟, Higashi Satoru; born 18 July 1963) is a Japanese boxer. He competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics…Satoru Higashi (東 悟, Higashi Satoru; born 18 July 1963) is a Japanese boxer. He competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Toshiya Miura (三浦 俊也, Miura Toshiya; born July 16, 1963) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He was most…Toshiya Miura (三浦 俊也, Miura Toshiya; born July 16, 1963) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He was most recently the head coach of Thailand U20.
Michel Miyazawa (宮澤 ミッシェル, Miyazawa Michel; born July 14, 1963) is a former Japanese football player. Seira Miyazawa…Michel Miyazawa (宮澤 ミッシェル, Miyazawa Michel; born July 14, 1963) is a former Japanese football player. Seira Miyazawa, his daughter, is a former member of female idol group Nogizaka46.
Ryo Mizuno (水野 良, Mizuno Ryō; born July 13, 1963) is a Japanese author and game designer. Mizuno created Record of…Ryo Mizuno (水野 良, Mizuno Ryō; born July 13, 1963) is a Japanese author and game designer. Mizuno created Record of Lodoss War, Sword World RPG, Legend of Crystania, Rune Soldier, Starship Operators, Record of Grancrest War, and was the general supervisor of Galaxy Angel.
Erica Sakurazawa (桜沢 エリカ, Sakurazawa Erika; born 8 July 1963 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist and essayist.…Erica Sakurazawa (桜沢 エリカ, Sakurazawa Erika; born 8 July 1963 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist and essayist. Most of her works are published in josei magazines.
Katsuya Ogawa (小川 勝也, Ogawa Katsuya; born 7 July 1963) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Katsuya Ogawa (小川 勝也, Ogawa Katsuya; born 7 July 1963) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kamikawa, Hokkaidō and graduate of Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995 as a member of the New Frontier Party.
Kanehiko Shindō is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. He is a representative…Kanehiko Shindō is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. He is a representative in the national proportional representation block.
Itaru Nakamura (born 4 July 1963) is a Japanese police officer who served as the 29th Chief of the National Police…Itaru Nakamura (born 4 July 1963) is a Japanese police officer who served as the 29th Chief of the National Police Agency from 2021 to 2022.
Megumi Mizusawa (水沢めぐみ, Mizusawa Megumi; born 3 July 1963) is the pen name of a Japanese manga artist. Her real name is…Megumi Mizusawa (水沢めぐみ, Mizusawa Megumi; born 3 July 1963) is the pen name of a Japanese manga artist. Her real name is Atsuko Naruse, and her maiden name was Katou. She is best known for her manga Hime-chan's Ribbon, which was published in Ribon. She is good friends with fellow manga artists, Wataru Yoshizumi, Ai Yazawa and Miho Obana.
Hisashi Tokunaga (徳永 久志, Tokunaga Hisashi; born June 27, 1963) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the House…Hisashi Tokunaga (徳永 久志, Tokunaga Hisashi; born June 27, 1963) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors and later, the House of Representatives. A graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the National Diet for the first time in 2007 after serving in the assembly of Shiga Prefecture.
Toshitaka Kimura (木村敏隆, Kimura Toshitaka), (born Hiroshima, 25 June 1963) is a Japanese former rugby union footballer…Toshitaka Kimura (木村敏隆, Kimura Toshitaka), (born Hiroshima, 25 June 1963) is a Japanese former rugby union footballer who played as a prop. He is not related to fellow Japanese international Kenichi Kimura.
Tsutomu Hirose (広瀬務, Hirose Tsutomu) (born 24 July 1963 in Shizuoka Prefecture) is a former Japanese rugby union…Tsutomu Hirose (広瀬務, Hirose Tsutomu) (born 24 July 1963 in Shizuoka Prefecture) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as a hooker.
Sayumi Horie (堀江 さゆみ, Horie Sayumi; born June 23, 1963 in Yokohama city, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese NHK…Sayumi Horie (堀江 さゆみ, Horie Sayumi; born June 23, 1963 in Yokohama city, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese NHK employee and former television announcer, and a graduate of the University of Tokyo's arts department. In June 1998, she appeared on "Live from Studio Park", NHK's live talk show. Sayumi Michishige, former member of J-pop idol group Morning Musume, was named after Horie by her father.
Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi (Japanese: 北勝海 信芳; born June 22, 1963 as Nobuyoshi Hoshi (保志 信芳)) is a Japanese former professional…Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi (Japanese: 北勝海 信芳; born June 22, 1963 as Nobuyoshi Hoshi (保志 信芳)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō. He was the sport's 61st yokozuna and won eight top division championships. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable. In 1989 he and Chiyonofuji were the first yokozuna stablemates to take part in a play-off for the championship. After a number of injury problems he retired in 1992, and is now the head coach of Hakkaku stable. In November 2015 he was appointed chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, following the death of Kitanoumi, initially to serve until the end of March 2016. He was then elected as head for a full term by his fellow board members in a vote held in March 2016. He was reappointed to a full term as chairman five times, most recently in 2026.
Gosho Aoyama (Japanese: 青山 剛昌, Hepburn: Aoyama Gōshō; born June 21, 1963, real name Yoshimasa Aoyama) is a Japanese…Gosho Aoyama (Japanese: 青山 剛昌, Hepburn: Aoyama Gōshō; born June 21, 1963, real name Yoshimasa Aoyama) is a Japanese manga artist best known for his manga series Case Closed (Detective Conan, 1994–present). As of 2017, his various manga series had a combined 250 million copies in print worldwide. By January 2023, Case Closed alone had over 270 million copies in circulation worldwide.
Hiroshi Ōsaka (逢坂 浩司, Ōsaka Hiroshi; 20 June 1963 – 24 September 2007) was a Japanese animator, character designer and…Hiroshi Ōsaka (逢坂 浩司, Ōsaka Hiroshi; 20 June 1963 – 24 September 2007) was a Japanese animator, character designer and illustrator, born in Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture. He was a graduate of the Kyoto Saga University of Arts. He was the co-founder of Bones.
Wataru Yoshizumi (吉住 渉, Yoshizumi Wataru) is a Japanese manga artist. She was born as Mariko Nakai (中井 真里子, Nakai…Wataru Yoshizumi (吉住 渉, Yoshizumi Wataru) is a Japanese manga artist. She was born as Mariko Nakai (中井 真里子, Nakai Mariko) on June 18, 1963, in Tokyo, Japan. She graduated with a degree in economics from Hitotsubashi University. Yoshizumi started her career as a Japanese manga artist while working as an office lady. Her debut manga was a one-shot story called "Radical Romance" that was published in 1984, in the summer issue of Ribon Original. She is known as a social manga artist, and is a good friend of fellow manga artists Naoko Takeuchi, Ai Yazawa, Miho Obana, and Megumi Mizusawa. As of 2011, Yoshizumi has had works serialized in Ribon, Chorus, and Margaret.
Rusher Itamae (ラッシャー板前, Rasshā Itamae; born 15 June 1963) is a Japanese comedian who is a member of the Takeshi Gundan.…Rusher Itamae (ラッシャー板前, Rasshā Itamae; born 15 June 1963) is a Japanese comedian who is a member of the Takeshi Gundan. His real name is Hiroshi Suzuki (鈴木 浩, Suzuki Hiroshi). Rusher Itamae is represented with Office Kitano. He graduated from Matsudo Municipal Kawarazuka Elementary School, Matsudo Municipal Tokiwadaira Junior High School, and Municipal Matsudo High School. Rusher Itamae's older brother was Uganda Tora whom he married his sister. When he appears in Ore-tachi Hyōkinzoku and advertisements with Takeshi Kitano, he appeared as Itabashi-ku no Suzuki-san (板橋区の鈴木さん).
Satoru Miyoshi (三好 悟, Miyoshi Satoru; born 10 June 1963) is a Japanese rower. He competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics…Satoru Miyoshi (三好 悟, Miyoshi Satoru; born 10 June 1963) is a Japanese rower. He competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Toru Kamikawa (上川徹, Kamikawa Tōru; born June 8, 1963) is a former Japanese football (soccer) referee, debuting in…Toru Kamikawa (上川徹, Kamikawa Tōru; born June 8, 1963) is a former Japanese football (soccer) referee, debuting in Japan's professional J. League in 1996. Kamikawa was born in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture. An international referee since 1998, he refereed one match at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and three matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the 2002 World Cup, he refereed a first round match between Ireland and Cameroon. In the 2006 World Cup, he refereed first round matches between Poland and Ecuador in Group A, and between England and Trinidad and Tobago in Group B. He also refereed the match for third place between Germany and Portugal. He was the AFC Referee of the Year in 2002, and the J. League Referee of the Year in 2003 and 2006. Kamikawa became the first Asian referee to officiate a Russian Premier League match when he refereed a match between Luch-Energia Vladivostok and Spartak Moscow on August 20, 2006, in Vladivostok. Before becoming a referee, he played football as a forward. He was educated at and played for Kagoshima National College of Technology and Tokai University. He represented Japan at an underage level in 1981. After the graduation, he joined Japan Soccer League side Fujita S.C. (current Shonan Bellmare) and finished his playing career there in 1991. He announced his retirement from the international game in October 2006 partly because of his knee injury although he still had two years before he reached the mandatory retirement age of an international referee. He quit refereeing entirely in January 2007. He now works for the Japan Football Association to help younger referees to develop their skills.
Yoshikazu Minami (南 芳一, Minami Yoshikazu; June 8, 1963) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a…Yoshikazu Minami (南 芳一, Minami Yoshikazu; June 8, 1963) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former Kisei, Kiō, and Ōshō title holder.
Nobuhiko Endō (遠藤 宣彦, Endō Nobuhiko; born 5 June 1963) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Nobuhiko Endō (遠藤 宣彦, Endō Nobuhiko; born 5 June 1963) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Meguro, Tokyo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, attending a university in Australia. After unsuccessful runs in 2000 and 2001, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Hiroshi Kōjina (神志那 弘志, Kōjina Hiroshi; born June 4, 1963) is a Japanese animator, character designer, and anime…Hiroshi Kōjina (神志那 弘志, Kōjina Hiroshi; born June 4, 1963) is a Japanese animator, character designer, and anime director. His directorial works include Grenadier, Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro, Kiba, Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin and the 2011 anime adaptation of Hunter × Hunter. He is a member of the Japanese Animation Creators Association. He joined Studio Live in 1982, and following the death of Toyoo Ashida, became the head of the company in 2011.
Toshiaki Karasawa (唐沢 寿明, Karasawa Toshiaki; born June 3, 1963) (real name Kiyoshi Karasawa (唐澤 潔 Karasawa Kiyoshi)) is…Toshiaki Karasawa (唐沢 寿明, Karasawa Toshiaki; born June 3, 1963) (real name Kiyoshi Karasawa (唐澤 潔 Karasawa Kiyoshi)) is a Japanese theatre and film actor. He made his theatrical debut in the play Boy's Revue Stay Gold in 1987. He specializes in theatrical action sequences such as swordplay and fighting. He dubbed over the roles of Tom Hanks in the Toy Story series, and The Polar Express. He has been nominated for two Japanese Academy Awards, and was named Best Newcomer in 1992. He married actress Tomoko Yamaguchi on December 15, 1995.
Katsuya Kondō (近藤 勝也, Kondō Katsuya; born June 2, 1963 in Ehime Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist…Katsuya Kondō (近藤 勝也, Kondō Katsuya; born June 2, 1963 in Ehime Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist, character designer, animator and animation director. He is best known for his character design work on the Studio Ghibli films Kiki's Delivery Service and Ocean Waves, as well as the PlayStation game Jade Cocoon. His character designs are considered the epitome of the Studio Ghibli style. After graduating from high school, he began working for Osamu Dezaki and Akio Sugino at their Studio Annapuru. Under the direction of Shinji Ōtsuka, Kondō worked as a key animator of the TV anime series Cat's Eye. He then worked as a free agent on such shows as The Mighty Orbots, Rainbow Brite and Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears. His first work with Studio Ghibli was as a key animator on Castle in the Sky. After working on the Gainax film The Wings of Honneamise and the OVAs Devilman and Meikyū Bukken File 538, Kondō began to be known for the high quality of his work. Kondō collaborated with Ken'ichi Sakemi on a manga retelling of the Joan of Arc story, as well as doing the character designs for the Jade Cocoon video game series. He also collaborated with Sakemi by creating the character designs for the 1990 NTV TV movie Like the Clouds, Like the Wind (based on Sakemi's novel Kōkyū Monogatari), which tells the story of a young country girl who is chosen to become one of the Emperor's concubines. He also worked with Tomomi Mochizuki on the NHK Minna no Uta music video titled Kaze no Tōri Michi, produced by Ajia-do Animation Works for Sayuri Horishita. In 2007, he was announced as the supervising animator of the Studio Ghibli film Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. He also wrote the lyrics for the film's theme song.