Masami Obari is a Japanese anime director, animator, and mechanical and character designer, born on January 24, 1966, in Hiroshima Prefecture. He began his career in the animation industry in 1985 after graduating from high school, joining the studio Ashi Production. At the age of 19, he received his first major recognition as a mechanical designer for the series Dancouga – Super Beast Machine God. Only two years later, he moved into directing, helming episodes of the influential original video animation series Bubblegum Crisis.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Obari became renowned for his work on opening animation sequences for numerous television series, a skill that earned him the nickname OP职人, or OP craftsman. His dynamic and highly detailed style, characterized by dramatic camera angles and powerful poses for giant robots, became so distinctive that it is often referred to as the Obari school of animation. In 1993, he founded his own studio, Studio G-1, with several colleagues. The studio was later reformed as Studio G-1 Neo in the year 2000. This studio served as the production base for many of his original creations.

As an original creator, Obari is credited with developing several anime properties. One notable example is the Gravion series, which includes Gravion and Gravion Zwei, where he served as the original creator, director, and mechanical designer. These series exemplify his signature focus on combining super robot action with what is often described as his characteristic artistic identity. Another significant original work is the Angel Blade series, including Angel Blade Punish!, where he acted as director and character designer. These titles operate within the adult genre and showcase another recurring element in his portfolio: the frequent integration of fan service and themes that appeal to mature audiences. His work on the Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture also demonstrates his ability to adapt existing video game properties, for which he provided direction and character design.

Beyond his own original series, Obari has left a significant mark on the wider anime industry through his contributions as a key animator and director for major franchises. His unmistakable animation cuts can be seen in the opening sequences for shows like Tekkaman Blade and Magic Knight Rayearth, as well as in episodes of the Gundam franchise, including Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans and Gundam Build Fighters. He has also been a frequent contributor to the Super Robot Wars video game and anime series.

Obari’s artistic identity is deeply tied to the animation of mecha. His style is instantly recognizable for its use of extreme perspective, dynamic posing, and what fans call the Obari Pose, where a robot is shown from a low angle wielding a large sword. His work consistently prioritizes visual impact and the rule of cool, with a focus on powerful, muscular robot designs and fast-paced, explosive action sequences. This approach has made him a highly respected figure among fans of the mecha genre.

His significance to the industry lies in his status as a leading creator of original robot anime in the post-1990s era. While many mecha series are adaptations, Obari has consistently worked to bring his own visions to the screen with titles like Gravion and Detonator Orgun. His distinctive visual vocabulary has influenced a generation of animators, and his directorial work has kept the spirit of the super robot genre alive in the modern age, demonstrating a lasting commitment to hand-drawn, high-energy action animation.