Kunihisa Sugishima ( Japanese: 杉島邦久, Hepburn: Sugishima Kunihisa) is a Japanese anime director.

Career

Sugishima started his career on Sunrise in the 1980s, ^[1] having worked as the setting producer for Heavy Metal L-Gaim's episodes 1 to 18, as well as the director and storyboarder for other episodes. ^[2] Another major work in his early career was his involvement with the Gundam series; ^[1] he directed several episodes of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. ^{[3] [4]} His first work as main director was in 1994 when he directed at Sunrise a single-episode special titled Shinizokonai Kakarichō. ^[5] His subsequent works were not at Sunrise; he directed Gokudo (1999) at Trans Arts, ^[6] Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000–2004) at Gallop, ^[7] and Speed Grapher (2005) at Gonzo. ^[1] For the latter company he also directed the original video animation Strike Witches in 2007. ^[8] After directing Nabari no Ou at J.C.Staff in 2008, ^[9] he went to direct four Beyblade-related television series and one film at Tatsunoko Productions and SynergySP between 2009 and 2012. ^[10] He returned to work for Sunrise where he was the director for two Battle Spirits anime; Burning Soul (2015) and Double Drive (2016). ^{[11] [12]}

Works

As main director

• Shinizokonai Kakarichō (1994)
• Tekken: The Motion Picture (1998)
• Gokudo the Adventurer (1999)
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000–2004)
• Speed Grapher (2005)
• Strike Witches OVA (2007)
• Nabari no Ou (2008)
• Beyblade: Metal Fusion (2009–2010)
• Beyblade: Metal Masters (2010–2011)
• Beyblade: Sol Blaze, the Scorching Hot Invader (2010)
• Beyblade: Metal Fury (2011–2012)
• Beyblade: Shogun Steel (2012)
• Battle Spirits: Burning Soul (2015–2016)
• Battle Spirits Double Drive (2016–2017)
• I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level: Season 2 (2025) ^[13]

Other works

• Combat Mecha Xabungle (1982)
• Aura Battler Dunbine (1983)
• Heavy Metal L-Gaim (1984)
• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985)
• Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986)
• Kamen no Ninja Akakage (1987)
• Metal Armor Dragonar (1987)
• Mister Ajikko (1987)
• Ronin Warriors (1988)
• Brave Command Dagwon (1996)
• 7th Time Loop (2024) for storyboard on episode 5

References

External links

• Kunihisa Sugishima at Anime News Network's encyclopedia