Akiyuki Shinbo

A Japanese anime director most noteworthy for being the primary director for Studio Shaft since 2004, before that he was a freelance director, beginning with his direction of Metal Fighter Miku in 1994. His work SHAFT has been characterized by extensive experimentation with the visual medium of animation, and often includes pictures taken from real life cut into scenes, as well as Art Shifts, Beat Panels (despite the fact that his work is animated), Kabuki sound effects, textures that remain stationary when the textured object moves, showing symbols or defining parts of a character (Ahoge, Hair Decs, foreheads, or more bizarre symbols) in place of characters during dialogue, written text in place or in opposition to dialogue, downright surgical use of Fan Service, and overall excellent cinematography. Given that he is one of the primary masterminds behind SHAFT's first original series, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, it is also safe to say that he is quite fond of Mind Screws and Deconstruction.

He was the director for the following series (Though this list is not complete):
 * Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha: The first season only, both A's and Strikers were directed otherwise. Shinbo also directed Nanoha's predecessor, Triangle Heart 3: Sweet Songs Forever.
 * Tsukuyomi Moon Phase: His first work with SHAFT and with voice actors Chiwa Saito and Hiroshi Kamiya, who he would work with extensively in his succeeding series.
 * Pani Poni Dash!: The first to showcase his trademark mixed-medium style (most visible during the opening sequences, with various characters possessing real world images as part of their bodies).
 * Hidamari Sketch
 * Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei
 * Mahou Sensei Negima: The more recent animated versions (Negima!?)
 * Bakemonogatari
 * Maria Holic
 * Puella Magi Madoka Magica
 * Soul Taker
 * Le Portrait de Petite Cossette