Yamada, Naoko

Naoko Yamada joined Kyoto Animation in 2004 and was first tasked with drawing in-betweens for Inuyasha. She later made her debut as KA (key animator) on Air episode 9 and working as key animator on some episodes of The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi, followed by directing an episode of Clannad (episode 17 marked her directorial debut) and within a short time, rose in the ranks to debut as director on K-ON! in 2009. Naoko Yamada's most noticeable signature direction quirk is using legs to show the spectrum of human emotion. In 2020, Yamada left KyoAni to join Science SARU, where she directed 2022's Heike Monogatari. (Source: Sakugablog & Wiki, edited)

Staff Credits

Koe no Katachi: Director, Storyboard
Violet Evergarden: Storyboard
Clannad: Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai? Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen: Episode Director, Storyboard
Hyouka: Episode Director, Storyboard
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!: Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon: Episode Director, Storyboard
Clannad: After Story: Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Kyoukai no Kanata: Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
K-On!: Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Nichijou: Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
Free!: Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation
K-On!!: Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu: Episode Director, Key Animation
Musaigen no Phantom World: Storyboard
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (2009): Episode Director, Storyboard
Hibike! Euphonium: Episode Director, Storyboard, Series Production Director
Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eien to Jidou Shuki Ningyou: Episode Director
Tamako Market: Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Free! Eternal Summer: Episode Director, Storyboard, Animation Director, Assistant Director
Tamako Love Story: Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudou-bu: Episode Director, Storyboard