Masahiro Andou

Originating from Studio Annapuru, where he worked under the supervision of [Osamu Dezaki](https://anilist.co/staff/100393/) and [Akio Sugino](https://anilist.co/staff/103064/). He went independent after leaving the studio in 1991. As a freelancer he worked on numerous works as a key animator and started quickly getting recognized as one of the strongest action animators in the industry. In 2000, Andou made his debut as an episode director with [Medarot](https://anilist.co/anime/1138/)'s 49th episode, and started gradually shifting his focus from animating to directing and storyboarding episodes himself. He mainly worked on studio [Bones](https://anilist.co/studio/4/)' productions in the early '00s, and got to direct several episodes of [RahXephon](https://anilist.co/anime/165/), [Wolf's Rain](https://anilist.co/anime/202/) and [Fullmetal Alchemist](https://anilist.co/anime/121/). In 2007, he directed [Sword of the Stranger](https://anilist.co/anime/2418/), a film which was also produced by Bones. He has since directed multiple shows for both Bones and [P.A. Works](https://anilist.co/studio/132/). Noted for his action storyboards. He is also close friends with [Masahiro Satou](https://anilist.co/staff/134126/) and often works with him. _Note: Not to be confused with older animator [Masahiro Andou](https://anilist.co/staff/155926/)._