{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "@id": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/1283010/haruo-sotozaki",
  "name": "Haruo Sotozaki",
  "url": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/1283010/haruo-sotozaki",
  "knownForDepartment": "Directing",
  "description": "Haruo Sotozaki is a Japanese anime and film director best known for his work on the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series. He began his career in the animation industry in the mid-1990s, contributing as a key animator and storyboard artist on various projects. Sotozaki made his full directorial debut with the anime adaptation of Ninja Nonsense (2004). In 2019, he directed the critically acclaimed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba television series, followed by the record-breaking film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train (2020). His direction is noted for its dynamic action sequences and faithful adaptation of source material.",
  "birthPlace": "Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan",
  "alternateName": [
    "そとざき はるお",
    "外崎 春雄"
  ],
  "image": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/ylaWAuJB1PyAzaefqENBDEAKTLI.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1417038"
  ],
  "lastVerified": "6 May 2026",
  "filmography": [
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 1311031,
      "title": "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle",
      "year": "2025",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/fWVSwgjpT2D78VUh6X8UBd2rorW.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/1311031/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-infinity-castle-2025"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 46260,
      "title": "Naruto",
      "year": "2002",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.363,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/xppeysfvDKVx775MFuH8Z9BlpMk.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/46260/naruto-2002"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 42912,
      "title": "Inazuma Eleven",
      "year": "2008",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/9kQWvBMPWz1gykKLXuX6JBjC9uQ.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/42912/inazuma-eleven-2008"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 31911,
      "title": "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood",
      "year": "2009",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.705,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/5ZFUEOULaVml7pQuXxhpR2SmVUw.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/31911/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood-2009"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 45952,
      "title": "Hunter x Hunter",
      "year": "1999",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.462,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/eobAuhCJA8oRp814V67WhezVXtQ.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/45952/hunter-x-hunter-1999"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 34660,
      "title": "Saiyuki",
      "year": "2000",
      "role": "Animation Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.333,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/b5tfbzJ8RIIoM6zzjpp9o9zjmrG.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/34660/saiyuki-2000"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 28136,
      "title": "Rurouni Kenshin",
      "year": "1996",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.524,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/iP6i2AJGkxSugByBRrxNd2Goey8.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/28136/rurouni-kenshin-1996"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 85937,
      "title": "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba",
      "year": "2019",
      "role": "Series Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.629,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/xUfRZu2mi8jH6SzQEJGP6tjBuYj.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/85937/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-2019"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 1095,
      "title": "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex",
      "year": "2002",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.204,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/6UH2vJryPpQp38noqvchu3uEeqX.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/1095/ghost-in-the-shell-stand-alone-complex-2002"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 9041,
      "title": "Noein: To Your Other Self",
      "year": "2005",
      "role": "Animation Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.4,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/5CWYj3XuQXmRbk7lI7ad5DTiJ5p.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/9041/noein-to-your-other-self-2005"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 635302,
      "title": "Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train",
      "year": "2020",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 8.197,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/h8Rb9gBr48ODIwYUttZNYeMWeUU.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/635302/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-movie-mugen-train-2020"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 36941,
      "title": "Fruits Basket",
      "year": "2001",
      "role": "Animation Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.87,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/6WQf2frdsNFt98LVx4AcVTNlIZ8.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/36941/fruits-basket-2001"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 1216221,
      "title": "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-",
      "year": "2024",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.512,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/3daOEMQCOGU2n9EbUC0PICnUCek.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/1216221/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-to-the-hashira-training-2024"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 34775,
      "title": "Reideen",
      "year": "2007",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.3,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/em5c6BFT7g5lS81nDueAlr4JaaM.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/34775/reideen-2007"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 3251,
      "title": "X",
      "year": "2001",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.358,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/mblTlK6XNGBrnrK3ftEIv1antZP.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/3251/x-2001"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 68007,
      "title": "Tales of Symphonia: The Animation",
      "year": "2007",
      "role": "Series Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/grsdAYgCFpTmqPspF2lIkixBje9.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/68007/tales-of-symphonia-the-animation-2007"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 42731,
      "title": "Heat Guy J",
      "year": "2002",
      "role": "Animation Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.583,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/uf5CGkKfu4dEsO22kIbWFETqZmW.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/42731/heat-guy-j-2002"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 5863,
      "title": "Samurai 7",
      "year": "2004",
      "role": "Key Animation",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.032,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/ebA9HuNZLscfmcWaOGHiBra0o1B.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/5863/samurai-7-2004"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 34741,
      "title": "Antique Bakery",
      "year": "2008",
      "role": "Animation Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 5.6,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/cQ4Le3uxECGfdrNosxjlWJmB7yl.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/34741/antique-bakery-2008"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 42698,
      "title": "Earth Maiden Arjuna",
      "year": "2001",
      "role": "Animation Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.769,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/d0YVzBZythvGrrSQlgDxFqWvR3t.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/42698/earth-maiden-arjuna-2001"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 802401,
      "title": "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mt. Natagumo Arc",
      "year": "2021",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.765,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/wq1UG5lPCKpOJgmgpKJszKvoMUe.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/802401/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-mt-natagumo-arc-2021"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 811948,
      "title": "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hashira Meeting Arc",
      "year": "2021",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.017,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/j1FpReEQXp8JsgNQZcfGvzeXNoI.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/811948/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hashira-meeting-arc-2021"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 66991,
      "title": "Tales of Zestiria the X",
      "year": "2016",
      "role": "Series Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.098,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/8cvnUjctdbExvnRyo8AVDvo2KaT.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/66991/tales-of-zestiria-the-x-2016"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 1067282,
      "title": "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village-",
      "year": "2023",
      "role": "Director",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.316,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/hEhGrcST85vMd63PBDgPBqih2tR.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/1067282/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-to-the-swordsmith-village-2023"
    }
  ]
}