Kenzō Masaoka

Kenzō Masaoka (政岡 憲三, Masaoka Kenzō, October 5, 1898 – November 23, 1988) was a Japanese early anime creator.

Kenzo Masaoka
Born	(1898-10-05)October 5, 1898 Osaka, Japan
Died	November 23, 1988(1988-11-23) (aged 90) Tokyo, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Other names	Donbei Masaoka
Occupation	Animator

Masaoka was the first to use cel animation and recorded sound in anime.^[1] He worked at a number of companies as an animator and actor, and was one of the founders of what became Toei Animation. His work as a special effects artist earned him the title "Japanese Méliès."^[2]

He also did work under the pseudonym Donbei Masaoka (正岡 どんべい, Masaoka Donbei).

Famous animators who worked under him include Mitsuyo Seo and Yasuji Mori.

Filmography

Year	English Name	Japanese Name	Romaji	Source
1927	Sea Palace	貝の宮殿	Kai no kyūden
1927	Shell Palace	海の宮殿	Umi no kyūden
1930	Nonsense Story, Volume 1: Monkey Island	難船ス物語 第壱篇 猿ヶ嶋	Nansensu Monogatari Daīppen Sarugashima	[3]
1931	Shipwreck Story - Second Chapter - The Pirate Ship	難船ス物語　第二篇　海賊船	Nansensu Monogatari - Daini-hen - Kaizokusen	[4]
1931	-	馬鹿八と城主様	Bakahachi to jōshu-sama	[5]
1933	The World of Power and Women	力と女の世の中	Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka	[6]
1934	-	-	Shudan no tosei
1934	Three Crows	三羽烏	Sanba garasu
1934	The Gang and the Dancer	ギャングと踊り子	Gyangu to Odoriko
1934	Vengeful Crow	-	Adauchi Karasu
1934	The Dance of the Chagamas The Teakettle Marching Song	茶釜音頭	Chagama ondo	[6]
1935	Fairy Forest	森の妖精	Mori no yōsei
1935	Ta-chan's Underwater Adventure	ターチャンの海底旅行	Tāchan no kaitei ryoko	[7]
1935	Ta-chan's Monster Adventure	ターチャンの怪物退治	Tāchan no kaibutsu taiji
1935	Princess Kaguya	かぐや姫	Kaguya Hime
1936	The Sparrows' Lodge	雀のお宿	Suzume no Oyado	[7]
1938	-	やっこのタコ平	Yakko no Takohei: Otomo wa tsuyoi ne
1939	Monkey and Crabs	マングワ 新猿蟹合戰	Shin Saru Kani Gassen	[8]
1939	Cat's Folktale	ニャンの浦島	Nyan no urashima	[9]
1939	Benkei and Ushiwaka	弁慶対牛若	Benkei tai Ushiwaka	[10][11]
1940	Magician In The Dream	夢の魔術師	Yume no Majutsushi	[12]
1941	Attack on Fuku-chan	フクちゃんの奇襲	Fuku-chan no kishū	[13]
1943	Spider and Tulip	くもとちゅうりっぷ	Kumo to chūrippu	[6][14]
1946	Cherry Blossom: Spring's Fantasy	桜 - 春の幻想	Sakura: Haru no genso	[15]
1947	Abandoned Cat Little Tora	すて猫トラちゃん	Sute Neko Tora-chan
1948	Tora-chan and the Bride	トラちゃんと花嫁	Tora-chan to Hanayome	[16]
1950	Tora-chan and the Insect	トラちゃんのカンカン虫	Tora-chan no Kankan Mushi	[17]

References

1. Kōdansha (1993). Japan: an illustrated encyclopedia. Kōdansha, ISBN 978-4-06-206489-7
2. The World History of Animation, Stephen Cavalier p. 144
3. "作品一覧 (3)". animation.filmarchives.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
4. "難船ス物語 第二篇 海" (in Japanese). Japanese Movie Database. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
5. "Bakahachi to jōshu-sama". Japanese Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
6. Sharp, Jasper (23 September 2004). "Pioneers of Japanese Animation". Midnight Eye: The Latest and Best in Japanese Cinema. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
7. "Japanese Anime Classic Collection [Disc 3]". www.digital-meme.com. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
8. "Monkey and Crabs". animation.filmarchives.jp. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
9. "Cat's Folktale". Japanese Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
10. "Benkei and Ushiwaka". The Roots of Japanese Anime. Episode 7. 1939.
11. Sharp, Jasper (23 September 2004). "Pioneers of Japanese Animation (Part 2)". Midnight Eye: The Latest and Best in Japanese Cinema. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
12. "Magician In The Dream". Japanese Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
13. "Attack on Fuku-chan". Japanese Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
14. "Animage Top-100 Anime Listing". Anime News Network. January 15, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
15. "東京都・京橋で「こども映画館2013」。喜劇王の無声映画や初期アニメを公開". mynavi.jp (in Japanese). June 14, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
16. "トラちゃんと花嫁". The National Film Center Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2017.
17. "トラちゃんのカンカン虫". Japanese Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Retrieved August 10, 2017.

External links

• Kenzō Masaoka at IMDb