IKEDA Hiroshi

Born 1934 in Tokyo. Graduated in 1959 from Nihon University, and entered what is now Toei Animation Co., Ltd. as a recruited first-year rendition assistant. Wrote the script for and directed theatrical full-length animated films The Flying Ghost Ship (1969) and Animal Treasure Island (1971), and short-length TV animated series Maho tsukai Sari (“Sally the Witch”) (1966-68) and Himitsu no Akko-chan (“The Secrets of Akko-chan”) (1969-70). Took the post of section chief in the research and development department at Toei in 1974 (and later department chief). Contributed to R&D into the computerization of animation-creation. Leaving Toei in 1985, he joined Nintendo Co., Ltd., where he worked on game software development as the director of the information development department. Concurrently, he served as the president of MARIO Co., Ltd., then later as the president of Manegi Co., Ltd. He left Nintendo in 1999. In 2001 he became a councilor member for the Tokuma Memorial Cultural Foundation for Animation. Beginning in 1971, he took posts as a part-time lecturer at undergraduate and graduate schools such as Joshibi University of Art and Design, and Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts. In 2003, he became a professor in the Department of Animation at Tokyo Polytechnic University, and subsequently at Takarazuka University of Art and Design, where he is currently a part-time lecturer.

IKEDA was in charge of screenwriting and directing, among other things, the TV series Hustle Punch (1965-66), Maho tsukai Sari (“Sally the Witch”), and Himitsu no Akko-chan (“The Secrets of Akko-chan”), and theatrical full-length animated films The Flying Ghost Ship and Animal Treasure Island. He later got involved in the R&D of computerization of animation-creation as well as in teaching animation at universities such as Nihon University College of Art, Joshibi University of Art and Design, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Tokyo Polytechnic University, and Takarazuka University. He also helped establish the Japan Society of Image Arts and Sciences, and the Japan Society of Animation Studies, and he authored and edited Animation-no-Jiten (“The Animation Dictionary,” Asakura Publishing Co., Ltd., 2012.) and other books. In all of these ways, he contributed significantly to the advancement of the education and research of animation, and therefore he is greatly deserving of the Special Achievement Award. (YOKOTA Masao)