Taku Kishimoto
Description
Taku Kishimoto is a Japanese screenwriter primarily known for his extensive work in the anime industry. His career is marked by a significant transition from working in film production to becoming one of the most prolific series composers and scriptwriters for animated television.
Kishimoto was born in Hyōgo Prefecture. Before entering the animation field, he pursued higher education, completing a master's degree at Chiba University. His early career involved working as an editor for a magazine, a background quite distinct from his later creative path. A pivotal change occurred in 2005 when he joined Studio Ghibli, initially serving as an assistant to the prominent producer Toshio Suzuki. During his nearly five years at the studio, he was involved in the development of various projects, including plans for films by director Isao Takahata. He departed from Ghibli in 2009 to pursue a freelance career as a scriptwriter.
His first major project after going independent was the television anime series Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop) in 2011, for which he served as the series composer and scriptwriter. This role established him as a prominent writer and opened the door to a series of high-profile adaptations. Throughout the 2010s, Kishimoto became the lead writer for a number of successful anime series, including the sports phenomenon Haikyu!!, the critically acclaimed mystery Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi), the spy thriller Joker Game, and the prohibition-era revenge drama 91 Days. His work is characterized by a versatility that spans genres, from comedy and sports to suspense and historical fiction.
In addition to his work on adaptations, Kishimoto has been credited as an original creator. One notable example is the 2024 anime series Bucchigiri?!, produced by MAPPA. For this project, he is credited as the original creator alongside director Hiroko Utsumi, and also served as the series’ scriptwriter. The series is a distinct example of his ability to craft original stories for the medium. His career continues to be prolific, with his involvement as a series composer in major titles like Ranking of Kings, Blue Lock, and the 2025 adaptation of Sakamoto Days, cementing his reputation as a foundational writer in modern anime.
Kishimoto was born in Hyōgo Prefecture. Before entering the animation field, he pursued higher education, completing a master's degree at Chiba University. His early career involved working as an editor for a magazine, a background quite distinct from his later creative path. A pivotal change occurred in 2005 when he joined Studio Ghibli, initially serving as an assistant to the prominent producer Toshio Suzuki. During his nearly five years at the studio, he was involved in the development of various projects, including plans for films by director Isao Takahata. He departed from Ghibli in 2009 to pursue a freelance career as a scriptwriter.
His first major project after going independent was the television anime series Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop) in 2011, for which he served as the series composer and scriptwriter. This role established him as a prominent writer and opened the door to a series of high-profile adaptations. Throughout the 2010s, Kishimoto became the lead writer for a number of successful anime series, including the sports phenomenon Haikyu!!, the critically acclaimed mystery Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi), the spy thriller Joker Game, and the prohibition-era revenge drama 91 Days. His work is characterized by a versatility that spans genres, from comedy and sports to suspense and historical fiction.
In addition to his work on adaptations, Kishimoto has been credited as an original creator. One notable example is the 2024 anime series Bucchigiri?!, produced by MAPPA. For this project, he is credited as the original creator alongside director Hiroko Utsumi, and also served as the series’ scriptwriter. The series is a distinct example of his ability to craft original stories for the medium. His career continues to be prolific, with his involvement as a series composer in major titles like Ranking of Kings, Blue Lock, and the 2025 adaptation of Sakamoto Days, cementing his reputation as a foundational writer in modern anime.
Works
- Topics: Anime overview