Haruo Sotozaki

{{Short description|Japanese anime, film and video game director}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Haruo Sotozaki

| native_name = 外崎春雄

| native_name_lang = ja

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date =

| birth_place =

| nationality = Japanese

| other_names =

| occupation = Anime director

| years_active = 1994–present

| known_for = Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

}}

{{nihongo|Haruo Sotozaki|外崎春雄|Sotozaki Haruo|lead=yes}} is a Japanese anime and film director. He made his full directorial debut in 2004 with the anime adaptation of Ninja Nonsense. In 2019, he directed the anime adaptation of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, as well as its film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train in 2020, which has earned numerous awards.

Works

=TV series=

X (2002–2003) (episode director){{cite episode|title=Return|series=X|network=Wowow|date=January 9, 2002|language=ja}}
{{nihongo|Ninja Nonsense|ニニンがシノブ伝|Ninin ga Shinobuden}} (2004) (director){{cite web|title=Staff & Cast|url=http://www.ufotable.com/2x2/staffcast/|publisher=Ninja Nonsense official website|access-date=August 30, 2021|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311135100/http://www.ufotable.com/2x2/staffcast/|archive-date=March 11, 2005|url-status=dead}}
{{nihongo|Tales of Symphonia: The Animation|テイルズオブシンフォニア The Animation|Teiruzu Obu Shinfonia The Animation}} (2007–2012) (director)
{{nihongo|Tales of Zestiria the X| テイルズオブゼスティリアザクロス|Teiruzu Obu Zesutiria Za Kurosu}} (2016–2017) (director){{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-25/tales-of-zestiria-the-x-tv-anime-unveils-cast-staff-teaser-video-visual/.100287|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Tales of Zestiria the X TV Anime Unveils Cast, Staff, Teaser Video, Visual|date=March 26, 2016|website=Anime News Network|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
{{nihongo|Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba|鬼滅の刃|Kimetsu no Yaiba}} (2019–present) (director){{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-28/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-anime-premieres-on-april-6/.144005|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime Premieres on April 6|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=February 28, 2019|website=Anime News Network|access-date=August 30, 2021}}

=Films=

{{nihongo|Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train|劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限列車編|Gekijō-ban "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Mugen Ressha-hen}} (2020) (director){{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-09-28/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-anime-gets-sequel-film/.151647|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime Gets Sequel Film|date=September 28, 2019|website=Anime News Network|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
{{nihongo|Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle|劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編|Gekijō-ban "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Mugen Jō-hen}} (2025) (director){{cite web|script-title=ja:「劇場版『鬼滅の刃』無限城編」第一章の公開日は7月18日、新映像やムビチケ情報解禁|url=https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/613878|date=March 1, 2025|access-date=March 7, 2025|website=Eiga Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc|language=ja}}

=Video games=

{{nihongo|Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories|魔界戦記ディスガイア2|Makai Senki Disugaia Tsū}} (2006) (animation part director, character designer, scenarist, cinematographer, animation director, opening animator)

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Award ! scope="col" \| Category ! scope="col" \| Work/Recipient ! scope="col" \| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{Abbr\|Ref.\|References}}
2019 \| 9th Newtype Anime Awards \| Best Director \| rowspan="3" \| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba \| rowspan="6" {{won}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-27/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-promare-anime-win-top-newtype-anime-awards/.152678\|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Promare Anime Win Top Newtype Anime Awards\|date=October 27, 2019\|website=Anime News Network\|last=Hodgkins\|first=Crystalyn\|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
rowspan="4" \| 2020 \| 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards \| Anime of the Year \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|last=Loveridge\|first=Lynzee\|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Takes Home Anime of the Year at Crunchyroll's Anime Awards\|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-02-15/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-takes-home-anime-of-the-year-at-crunchyroll-anime-awards/.156482\|website=Anime News Network\|access-date=August 30, 2021\|date=February 15, 2020}}
Tokyo Anime Awards Festival \| Best Television Animation \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2020/02/05-1/weathering-with-you-demon-slayer-win-anime-of-the-year-at-tokyo-anime-awards-festival-2020\|title=Weathering With You, Demon Slayer Win Anime of the Year at Tokyo Anime Awards Festival 2020\|first=Daryl\|last=Harding\|work=Crunchyroll\|date=February 5, 2020\|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
45th Hochi Film Award \| Best Animation Film \| rowspan="7" \| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|last=Pineda\|first=Rafael Antonio\|date=December 3, 2020\|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Earns Hochi Film Award for Animation\|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-02/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-earns-hochi-film-award-for-animation/.166941\|access-date=August 30, 2021\|website=Anime News Network}}
Nikkan Sports Film Award for Yūjirō Ishihara Award \| Best Director \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|script-title=ja:鬼滅の刃が石原裕次郎賞コロナ禍に希望／映画大賞\|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202012270000595.html\|date=December 28, 2020\|access-date=August 30, 2021\|website=Nikkan Sports\|language=ja}}
rowspan="5" \| 2021 \| 44th Japan Academy Film Prize \| Animation of the Year \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|last=Komatsu\|first=Mikikazu\|date=January 27, 2021\|title=Demon Slayer, Violet Evergarden, Doraemon, Josee, and Poupelle Nominated for 44th Japan Academy Prize\|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2021/01/26-1/demon-slayer-violet-evergarden-doraemon-josee-and-poupelle-nominated-for-44th-japan-academy-prize\|access-date=August 30, 2021\|website=Crunchyroll}}
Mainichi Film Awards \| Best Animation Film \| rowspan="2" {{nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|last=Pineda\|first=Rafael Antonio\|date=December 24, 2020\|title=Demon Slayer Film, Violet Evergarden Get Mainichi Film Award Animation Nods\|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-23/demon-slayer-film-violet-evergarden-get-mainichi-film-award-animation-nods/.167759\|access-date=August 30, 2021\|website=Anime News Network}}
25th Satellite Awards \| Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|title=2020 Winners\|url=https://www.pressacademy.com/2020-ipa-awards/\|publisher=Satellite Awards\|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
Tokyo Anime Awards Festival \| Best Director \| rowspan="4" {{won}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|last=Tan\|first=Melvyn\|date=February 12, 2021\|title=Violet Evergarden Movie and Eizouken Win Anime of the Year At TAAF 2021\|url=https://anitrendz.net/news/2021/02/12/violet-evergarden-eizouken-taaf-2021/\|website=Anime Trending\|access-date=August 30, 2021}}
11th Newtype Anime Awards \| Best Director \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|script-title=ja:ニュータイプアニメアワード2020-2021　各受賞作\|url=https://webnewtype.com/special/animeaward/\|website=WebNewtype\|language=ja\|access-date=August 24, 2022\|archive-date=August 13, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813024114/https://webnewtype.com/special/animeaward/\|url-status=dead}}
2022 \| 12th Newtype Anime Awards \| Best Director \| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Mugen Train Arc Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|script-title=ja:ニュータイプアニメアワード2021-2022結果発表、作品賞は「劇場版ソードアート・オンライン」＆「鬼滅の刃遊郭編」\|url=https://news.livedoor.com/lite/article_detail/23029384/\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016114551/https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/23029384/\|archive-date=October 16, 2022\|date=October 15, 2022\|access-date=October 19, 2022\|website=Livedoor News\|language=ja}}
2023 \| 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards \| Best Director \| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|last=Eisenbeis\|first=Richard\|date=March 4, 2023\|title=All the Winners of the 7th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards\|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2023-03-04/all-the-winners-of-the-7th-annual-crunchyroll-anime-awards/.195535\|access-date=March 4, 2023\|website=Anime News Network}}
2025 \| 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards \| Best Director \| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc \| {{pending}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|last=Mateo\|first=Alex\|date=April 3, 2025\|title=Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reveals 2025 Nominees\|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-04-03/crunchyroll-anime-awards-reveals-2025-nominees/.223212\|access-date=April 3, 2025\|website=Anime News Network}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Work/Recipient

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

2019

| 9th Newtype Anime Awards

| Best Director

| rowspan="3" | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

| rowspan="6" {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-10-27/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-promare-anime-win-top-newtype-anime-awards/.152678|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Promare Anime Win Top Newtype Anime Awards|date=October 27, 2019|website=Anime News Network|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|access-date=August 30, 2021}}

rowspan="4" | 2020

| 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards

| Anime of the Year

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Takes Home Anime of the Year at Crunchyroll's Anime Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-02-15/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-takes-home-anime-of-the-year-at-crunchyroll-anime-awards/.156482|website=Anime News Network|access-date=August 30, 2021|date=February 15, 2020}}

Tokyo Anime Awards Festival

| Best Television Animation

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2020/02/05-1/weathering-with-you-demon-slayer-win-anime-of-the-year-at-tokyo-anime-awards-festival-2020|title=Weathering With You, Demon Slayer Win Anime of the Year at Tokyo Anime Awards Festival 2020|first=Daryl|last=Harding|work=Crunchyroll|date=February 5, 2020|access-date=August 30, 2021}}

45th Hochi Film Award

| Best Animation Film

| rowspan="7" | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=December 3, 2020|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Earns Hochi Film Award for Animation|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-02/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-earns-hochi-film-award-for-animation/.166941|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=Anime News Network}}

Nikkan Sports Film Award for Yūjirō Ishihara Award

| Best Director

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|script-title=ja:鬼滅の刃が石原裕次郎賞コロナ禍に希望／映画大賞|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202012270000595.html|date=December 28, 2020|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}}

rowspan="5" | 2021

| 44th Japan Academy Film Prize

| Animation of the Year

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|date=January 27, 2021|title=Demon Slayer, Violet Evergarden, Doraemon, Josee, and Poupelle Nominated for 44th Japan Academy Prize|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2021/01/26-1/demon-slayer-violet-evergarden-doraemon-josee-and-poupelle-nominated-for-44th-japan-academy-prize|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=Crunchyroll}}

Mainichi Film Awards

| Best Animation Film

| rowspan="2" {{nom}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|date=December 24, 2020|title=Demon Slayer Film, Violet Evergarden Get Mainichi Film Award Animation Nods|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-23/demon-slayer-film-violet-evergarden-get-mainichi-film-award-animation-nods/.167759|access-date=August 30, 2021|website=Anime News Network}}

25th Satellite Awards

| Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|title=2020 Winners|url=https://www.pressacademy.com/2020-ipa-awards/|publisher=Satellite Awards|access-date=August 30, 2021}}

Tokyo Anime Awards Festival

| Best Director

| rowspan="4" {{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last=Tan|first=Melvyn|date=February 12, 2021|title=Violet Evergarden Movie and Eizouken Win Anime of the Year At TAAF 2021|url=https://anitrendz.net/news/2021/02/12/violet-evergarden-eizouken-taaf-2021/|website=Anime Trending|access-date=August 30, 2021}}

11th Newtype Anime Awards

| Best Director

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|script-title=ja:ニュータイプアニメアワード2020-2021　各受賞作|url=https://webnewtype.com/special/animeaward/|website=WebNewtype|language=ja|access-date=August 24, 2022|archive-date=August 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813024114/https://webnewtype.com/special/animeaward/|url-status=dead}}

2022

| 12th Newtype Anime Awards

| Best Director

| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Mugen Train Arc
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|script-title=ja:ニュータイプアニメアワード2021-2022結果発表、作品賞は「劇場版ソードアート・オンライン」＆「鬼滅の刃遊郭編」|url=https://news.livedoor.com/lite/article_detail/23029384/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016114551/https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/23029384/|archive-date=October 16, 2022|date=October 15, 2022|access-date=October 19, 2022|website=Livedoor News|language=ja}}

2023

| 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards

| Best Director

| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Entertainment District Arc

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last=Eisenbeis|first=Richard|date=March 4, 2023|title=All the Winners of the 7th Annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2023-03-04/all-the-winners-of-the-7th-annual-crunchyroll-anime-awards/.195535|access-date=March 4, 2023|website=Anime News Network}}

2025

| 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards

| Best Director

| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc

| {{pending}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|date=April 3, 2025|title=Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reveals 2025 Nominees|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-04-03/crunchyroll-anime-awards-reveals-2025-nominees/.223212|access-date=April 3, 2025|website=Anime News Network}}

References

External links

{{Anime News Network|people|11235}}

Category:Anime directors

Category:Crunchyroll Anime Awards winners

Category:Japanese film directors

Category:Japanese television directors

Category:Japanese video game directors

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)