Koji Sawai
Biography
Koji Sawai is a veteran Japanese anime director and storyboard artist. Born in Tokyo, Japan on September 14, 1955, his stage name is 澤井幸次. After graduating from Toyo University, he worked in an anime studio for seven years before transitioning to freelance work. He is known for directing and has 46 known credits on the Movie Database. His career includes involvement in numerous works such as Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2 from 1989, Patlabor the Movie, .hack//Legend of the Twilight, A Place Further Than the Universe, Wakaokami wa Shougakusei!, and .hack//Sign.
Career overview
Koji Sawai is a veteran Japanese anime director and storyboard artist. Born in Tokyo, Japan, on September 14, 1955, he graduated from Toyo University. Following his graduation, he worked in an anime studio for seven years before transitioning to a freelance career. Throughout his professional journey, he has been involved in numerous works within the anime industry, contributing his skills to both television and film productions.
His extensive career encompasses a wide array of well-known projects. Among the many works he has been involved in are Maison Ikkoku, the 1989 version of Ranma 1/2, Patlabor the Movie, .hack//Legend of the Twilight, A Place Further Than the Universe, and Wakaokami wa Shougakusei!. Additionally, he is recognized for his work directing Ranma ½ and .hack//Sign. With forty-six known credits on his professional record, Sawai is primarily known for his work in directing within the medium.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Koji Sawai.
Career timeline
Full Filmography
61 titles- Wandance (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Princession Orchestra (2025) Storyboard Artist
- The Dinner Table Detective (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (2024) Storyboard Artist
- My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (2023) Storyboard Artist
- Bibliophile Princess (2022) Storyboard Artist
- When Will Ayumu Make His Move? (2022) Storyboard Artist
- Police in a Pod (2022) Storyboard Artist
- Deep Insanity: The Lost Child (2021) Storyboard Artist
- The Misfit of Demon King Academy (2020) Storyboard Artist
- My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (2020) Storyboard Artist
- BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense. (2020) Storyboard Artist
- Dororo (2019) Storyboard Artist
- ORESUKI Are you the only one who loves me? (2019) Storyboard Artist
- Run with the Wind (2018) Storyboard Artist
- A Place Further than the Universe (2018) Director
- A Place Further than the Universe (2018) Storyboard Artist
- Mitsuboshi Colors (2018) Storyboard Artist
- Non Non Biyori: Vacation (2018) Storyboard Artist
- Non Non Biyori: Vacation (2018) Second Unit Director
- Armed Girl's Machiavellism (2017) Storyboard Artist
- Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless (2016) Storyboard Artist
- ALL OUT!! (2016) Director
- ALL OUT!! (2016) Storyboard Artist
- Chivalry of a Failed Knight (2015) Storyboard Artist
- Parasyte -the maxim- (2014) Director
- Parasyte -the maxim- (2014) Storyboard Artist
- Rage of Bahamut (2014) Director
- Rage of Bahamut (2014) Storyboard Artist
- Argevollen (2014) Storyboard Artist
- Ace of the Diamond (2013) Director
- Non Non Biyori (2013) Storyboard Artist
- Non Non Biyori (2013) Director
- Photokano (2013) Director
- Photokano (2013) Assistant Director
- Photokano (2013) Storyboard Artist
- Hyouge Mono (2011) Director
- Hyouge Mono (2011) Storyboard Artist
- Halo Legends (2010) Director
- Halo Legends (2010) Director
- Blade of the Immortal (2008) Director
- Blade of the Immortal (2008) Storyboard Artist
- .hack//G.U. Returner (2007) Storyboard
- Gin'yuu Mokushiroku Meine Liebe (2004) Storyboard Artist
- Wolf's Rain (2003) Director
- .hack (2002) Series Director
- .hack (2002) Director
- .hack (2002) Storyboard Artist
- .hack//Liminality (2002) Storyboard Artist
- .hack//Liminality (2002) Director
- Desert Pirate! Captain Kuppa (2001) Director
- The Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA (1994) Producer
- The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993) Director
- The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993) Storyboard Artist
- Kawaguchi Kaiji's 9 Love Stories (1993) Director
- Ranma ½ (1989) Storyboard Artist
- Patlabor: The Movie (1989) Animation Director
- F (1988) Director
- F (1988) Storyboard Artist
- Patlabor: Early Days (1988) Director
- Gold Lightan - Golden Warrior (1981) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Koji Sawai best known for?
Koji Sawai is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Wandance (2025), Princession Orchestra (2025), The Dinner Table Detective (2025), Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (2024).
When and where was Koji Sawai born?
Koji Sawai was born on September 14, 1955 in Tokyo, Japan.
How many credits does Koji Sawai have?
Koji Sawai has accumulated over 61 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1981 to 2025.
What is Koji Sawai's background in cinema and television?
Koji Sawai is a veteran Japanese anime director and storyboard artist. Born in Tokyo, Japan on September 14, 1955, his stage name is 澤井幸次. After graduating from Toyo University, he worked in an anime studio for seven years before transitioning to freelance work. He is known for directing and has 46 known credits on the...