Akira Matsushima

[Wiki (jp)](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/松島晃) Originating from Jec.E, currently affiliated with [ufotable](https://anilist.co/studio/43/). After graduating from middle school he entered Yoyogi Animation vocational school where he fell in love with animation. He then joined Jec.E, a sub-contracting studio. After it's bankruptcy he went freelance, but had a seat he used for workspace at Studio Elle. In 2010, he joined [ufotable](https://anilist.co/studio/43/) and has been one of its key members since, together with animators like [Nozomu Abe](https://anilist.co/staff/116271/), [Masayuki Kunihiro](https://anilist.co/staff/146702/) and [Masaru Kimura](https://anilist.co/staff/146698/). In 2019, he served as the character designer and chief animation director on [Demon Slayer](https://anilist.co/anime/101922/) and the [movie sequel](https://anilist.co/anime/112151/) following it, which became the highest-grossing anime film and Japanese film of all time. Highly praised for his work as an animation director on [Rurouni Kenshin](https://anilist.co/anime/45/), [Hunter x Hunter](https://anilist.co/anime/136/) and [Naruto](https://anilist.co/anime/20/). Influenced by the likes of [Tetsuya Nishio](https://anilist.co/staff/103725/) and [Nobuteru Yuuki](https://anilist.co/staff/97010/).