Yoshihiro Nishimura

Known For: Directing
Born: April 1, 1969 in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
Died: May 25, 2026
Active Years: 1984–2026 (43 Years)
Total Credits: 174 credits in database

Directing Born Apr 1, 1969 Died May 25, 2026 Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan 174 credits

Biography

Yoshihiro Nishimura was a Japanese film director, special effects and makeup effects artist, and screenwriter born in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan on April 1, 1969. He worked predominantly in the horror genre and was known for directing, with seventy-five known credits. He passed away on May 25, 2026, at the age of fifty-seven. Nishimura has been described as a legendary director and effects artist, and as the Tom Savini of Japan, with talent to burn. He has also been credited with establishing a new type of visual film presentation known as the gore effect.

Sources & verification Yoshihiro Nishimura — The Movie Database (TMDB) How Archytele verifies pages

Career

Career overview

Yoshihiro Nishimura was a Japanese film director, special effects and makeup effects artist, and screenwriter born in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan on April 1, 1969. He worked predominantly in the horror genre and accumulated 75 known credits for directing.

Nishimura was described as a legendary director and effects artist, the Tom Savini of Japan, and as having talent to burn. He was credited with establishing a new type of visual film presentation known as the gore effect.

His career spanned his work behind the camera and in special effects until his death on May 25, 2026, at the age of 57.

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Frequent co-stars

Chad Rook 1 shared title

September D'Angelo 1 shared title

Natalie Victoria 1 shared title

J. LaRose 1 shared title

Jeffrey Reddick 1 shared title

Cam Damage 1 shared title

Mark Kandborg 1 shared title

Ashley B. Smith 1 shared title

Chantal Perron 1 shared title

Jen Znack 1 shared title

Career timeline

2026

Geisha War · DirectorGeisha War · Original StoryGeisha War · ProducerGeisha War · EditorGeisha War · Costume Designer

2025

Tokyo Evil Hotel · DirectorTokyo Evil Hotel · Writer

2024

The WizardThe Wizard · ProducerMeatball Machine : Dissection

2023

Samurai Ninja Onimanji · DirectorSamurai Ninja Onimanji · ScreenplaySamurai Ninja Onimanji · Special EffectsSamurai Ninja Onimanji · Special Effects Makeup ArtistSamurai Ninja Onimanji · Creature Design

2022

Holy Mother · DirectorHoly Mother · EditorHoly Mother · Special EffectsHoly Mother · ProducerHoly Mother · Costume Design

2020

Tokyo Dragon Chef · ProducerTokyo Dragon Chef · DirectorTokyo Dragon Chef · Character DesignerTokyo Dragon Chef · EditorTokyo Dragon Chef · Screenplay

2019

Unfinished · DirectorRise of the Machine Girls · EditorRise of the Machine Girls · ProducerUnfinished · DirectorWelcome to Japan · Writer

2018

Giver: Revenge's Giver · DirectorExtremityLast Winter, We Parted · Special Effects Makeup ArtistVampire Clay · ProducerYellow Road · Director

2017

Meatball Machine Kodoku · WriterMeatball Machine Kodoku · DirectorMeatball Machine Kodoku · EditorHedoroba · ProducerDeath Row Family · Editor

2016

Tetsudon: Fool Wars -Battlefront Japan- · Director

2015

Attack on Titan: Counter Rockets · DirectorTag · Special EffectsThe Ninja War of Torakage · DirectorThe Ninja War of Torakage · ScreenplayThe Ninja War of Torakage · Special Effects

2014

Raining Blood · Special Effects SupervisorKept · ModelingKept · EditorKept · ProducerKept · Assistant Director

2013

The ABCs of Death · WriterThe ABCs of Death · ProducerThe ABCs of Death · DirectorJellyfish Eyes · ScreenplayJellyfish Eyes · Producer

2012

Dead Sushi · Makeup DesignerDead Sushi · Creature DesignBAD FILM · Special Effects Makeup ArtistGekijō-ban: Harapeko Yamagami-kun · Director

2011

Yakuza WeaponTomie: Unlimited · Special EffectsKarate-Robo ZaborgarKarate-Robo Zaborgar · Character DesignerKarate-Robo Zaborgar · Special Effects Supervisor

2010

Mutant Girls SquadMutant Girls Squad · DirectorMutant Girls Squad · EditorGeishaCop: Fearsome Geisha Corps - Go to Hell · Special EffectsHelldriver · Director

2009

The Ancient Dogoo Girl · DirectorThe Ancient Dogoo Girl · Special Effects SupervisorVampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl · DirectorVampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl · Special Effects Makeup ArtistVampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl · Editor

2008

Love Exposure · Special Effects Makeup ArtistTokyo Gore PoliceTokyo Gore Police · ScreenplayTokyo Gore Police · DirectorTokyo Gore Police · Editor

2007

Exte: Hair Extensions · Special Effects Makeup ArtistExte: Hair Extensions · Special EffectsMeatball Machine: Reject of Death · DirectorMeatball Machine: Reject of Death · EditorMeatball Machine: Reject of Death · Special Effects

2006

Meatball Machine · Special Effects SupervisorSukeban Boy · Special Effects Makeup Artist

2005

Noriko's Dinner Table · ProstheticsNoriko's Dinner Table · Special Effects Makeup ArtistA Gap in the Skin · Special Effects Makeup ArtistTales of Terror: Haunted Apartment · Makeup Department HeadSaishū seiki! Natsume nana ~ kyūkyoku no erosu · Special Effects

2004

Honto Ni Atta! Noroi No Video 14 · EditorSpeakerman: The BooSpeakerman: The Boo · DirectorSpeakerman: The Boo · ScreenplaySpeakerman: The Boo · Director of Photography

2000

Utsushimi · Art Direction

1996

Rubber's Lover · Special Effects Makeup Artist

1995

Anatomia Extinction · DirectorAnatomia Extinction · Costume DesignAnatomia Extinction · ProducerAnatomia Extinction · Special EffectsAnatomia Extinction · Makeup Artist

1987

Sham Nation · DirectorSham Nation · Writer

1984

Paradox · Special Effects Makeup ArtistParadox · WriterParadox · ProducerParadox · EditorParadox · Special Effects

Full Filmography

174 titles

Geisha War (2026) Director
Geisha War (2026) Original Story
Geisha War (2026) Producer
Geisha War (2026) Editor
Geisha War (2026) Costume Designer
Tokyo Evil Hotel (2025) Director
Tokyo Evil Hotel (2025) Writer
The Wizard (2024)
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The Wizard (2024) Producer
Meatball Machine : Dissection (2024) as Himself
Samurai Ninja Onimanji (2023) Director
Samurai Ninja Onimanji (2023) Screenplay
Samurai Ninja Onimanji (2023) Special Effects
Samurai Ninja Onimanji (2023) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Samurai Ninja Onimanji (2023) Creature Design
Samurai Ninja Onimanji (2023) Costume Design
Samurai Ninja Onimanji (2023) Editor
Holy Mother (2022) Director
Holy Mother (2022) Editor
Holy Mother (2022) Special Effects
Holy Mother (2022) Producer
Holy Mother (2022) Costume Design
Holy Mother (2022) Creature Design
Holy Mother (2022) Screenplay
Freedom in My Hands (2022) Director
Freedom in My Hands (2022) Screenplay
Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020) Producer
Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020) Director
Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020) Character Designer
Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020) Editor
Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020) Screenplay
Go Home (2020) Director
Unfinished (2019) Director
Rise of the Machine Girls (2019) Editor
Rise of the Machine Girls (2019) Producer
Unfinished (2019) Director
Welcome to Japan (2019) Writer
Welcome to Japan (2019) Director
Welcome to Japan (2019) Producer
Giver: Revenge's Giver (2018) Director
Extremity (2018) as Cameraman
Last Winter, We Parted (2018) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Vampire Clay (2018) Producer
Yellow Road (2018) Director
Yellow Road (2018) Editor
Yellow Road (2018) Producer
Yellow Road (2018) Writer
Witch-Which (2018) Producer
Meatball Machine Kodoku (2017) Writer
Meatball Machine Kodoku (2017) Director
Meatball Machine Kodoku (2017) Editor
Hedoroba (2017) Producer
Death Row Family (2017) Editor
Death Row Family (2017) Producer
Tetsudon: the kaiju dream match (2017) Director
Tetsudon: Fool Wars -Battlefront Japan- (2016) Director
Attack on Titan: Counter Rockets (2015) Director
Tag (2015) Special Effects
The Ninja War of Torakage (2015) Director
The Ninja War of Torakage (2015) Screenplay
The Ninja War of Torakage (2015) Special Effects
The Ninja War of Torakage (2015) Makeup Effects
The Ninja War of Torakage (2015) Creature Design
The Ninja War of Torakage (2015) Editor
The Ninja War of Torakage (2015) Creator
Making F.R.I.E.N.D.s: Behind-the scenes of 'Jellyfish Eyes' (2015)
Raining Blood (2014) Special Effects Supervisor
Kept (2014) Modeling
Kept (2014) Editor
Kept (2014) Producer
Kept (2014) Assistant Director
The ABCs of Death (2013) Writer
The ABCs of Death (2013) Producer
The ABCs of Death (2013) Director
Jellyfish Eyes (2013) Screenplay
Jellyfish Eyes (2013) Producer
Jellyfish Eyes (2013) Editor
Jellyfish Eyes (2013) Assistant Director
The Profane Exhibit (2013) Writer
The Profane Exhibit (2013) Director
The Profane Exhibit (2013) Editor
Zombie TV (2013) Director
Dead Sushi (2012) Makeup Designer
Dead Sushi (2012) Creature Design
BAD FILM (2012) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Gekijō-ban: Harapeko Yamagami-kun (2012) Director
Yakuza Weapon (2011)
Tomie: Unlimited (2011) Special Effects
Karate-Robo Zaborgar (2011) as Sensei
Karate-Robo Zaborgar (2011) Character Designer
Karate-Robo Zaborgar (2011) Special Effects Supervisor
Underwater Love (2011) Makeup Supervisor
Sword of Blood (2011) Special Effects Coordinator
YOU+ME=LOVE (2011) Makeup Department Head
YOU+ME=LOVE (2011) Art Direction
YOU+ME=LOVE (2011) Production Design
Mutant Girls Squad (2010) as Exploding Head Soldier
Mutant Girls Squad (2010) Director
Mutant Girls Squad (2010) Editor
GeishaCop: Fearsome Geisha Corps - Go to Hell (2010) Special Effects
Helldriver (2010) Director
Helldriver (2010) Writer
Helldriver (2010) Editor
Helldriver (2010) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Helldriver (2010) Character Designer
Yakuza-Busting Girls: Duel in Hell (2010) Makeup Effects
The Ancient Dogoo Girl: Special Movie Edition (2010) Special Effects Supervisor
Yakuza-Busting Girls: Final Death-Ride Battle (2010) Makeup Effects
Karma (2010) Production Design
Karma (2010) Makeup Department Head
Karma (2010) Art Direction
The Ancient Dogoo Girl (2009) Director
The Ancient Dogoo Girl (2009) Special Effects Supervisor
Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (2009) Director
Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (2009) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (2009) Editor
RoboGeisha (2009) as Yakuza's Boss
RoboGeisha (2009) Special Effects Supervisor
Teke Teke 2 (2009) Makeup Artist
Shyness Machine Girl (2009) Cinematography
Shyness Machine Girl (2009) Gaffer
Shyness Machine Girl (2009) Special Effects Supervisor
63 Minutes Later (2009) Director
63 Minutes Later (2009) Editor
63 Minutes Later (2009) Special Effects Supervisor
63 Minutes Later (2009) Creature Design
63 Minutes Later (2009) Screenplay
Love Exposure (2008) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Tokyo Gore Police (2008)
Tokyo Gore Police (2008) Screenplay
Tokyo Gore Police (2008) Director
Tokyo Gore Police (2008) Editor
The Machine Girl (2008) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Exte: Hair Extensions (2007) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Exte: Hair Extensions (2007) Special Effects
Meatball Machine: Reject of Death (2007) Director
Meatball Machine: Reject of Death (2007) Editor
Meatball Machine: Reject of Death (2007) Special Effects
Meatball Machine: Reject of Death (2007) Screenplay
Meatball Machine: Reject of Death (2007) Cinematography
Meatball Machine: Reject of Death (2007) Lighting Director
Prisoner/Terrorist (2007) Special Effects
Meatball Machine (2006) Special Effects Supervisor
Sukeban Boy (2006) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Noriko's Dinner Table (2005) Prosthetics
Noriko's Dinner Table (2005) Special Effects Makeup Artist
A Gap in the Skin (2005) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Tales of Terror: Haunted Apartment (2005) Makeup Department Head
Saishū seiki! Natsume nana ~ kyūkyoku no erosu (2005) Special Effects
Honto Ni Atta! Noroi No Video 14 (2004) Editor
Speakerman: The Boo (2004) as Fire Brigade Member
Speakerman: The Boo (2004) Director
Speakerman: The Boo (2004) Screenplay
Speakerman: The Boo (2004) Director of Photography
Speakerman: The Boo (2004) Production Design
Speakerman: The Boo (2004) Character Designer
Utsushimi (2000) Art Direction
Rubber's Lover (1996) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Director
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Costume Design
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Producer
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Special Effects
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Makeup Artist
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Production Design
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Anatomia Extinction (1995) Screenplay
Sham Nation (1987) Director
Sham Nation (1987) Writer
Paradox (1984) Special Effects Makeup Artist
Paradox (1984) Writer
Paradox (1984) Producer
Paradox (1984) Editor
Paradox (1984) Special Effects
Paradox (1984) Director

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Yoshihiro Nishimura best known for?

Yoshihiro Nishimura is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020), Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020), Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020), Tokyo Dragon Chef (2020).

When and where was Yoshihiro Nishimura born?

Yoshihiro Nishimura was born on April 1, 1969 in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. They passed away on May 25, 2026.

How many credits does Yoshihiro Nishimura have?

Yoshihiro Nishimura has accumulated over 174 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1984 to 2026.

What is Yoshihiro Nishimura's background in cinema and television?

Yoshihiro Nishimura was a Japanese film director, special effects and makeup effects artist, and screenwriter born in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan on April 1, 1969. He worked predominantly in the horror genre and was known for directing, with seventy-five known credits. He passed away on May 25, 2026, at the age of fifty-seve...