Norio Matsumoto

Norio Matsumoto(松本　憲生) started his career at Tatsunoko's animators training institute, where he met Atsushi Wakabayashi. Also worked at Oh! Production during his in-betweening days, where he met Osamu Tanabe. Mentored by Tomohiro Hirata.

Though primarily an action animator, he’s demonstrated impressive range elsewhere like in his scenes for Haibane Renmei and Kaguyahime. Has the reputation of a fast and disciplined worker. Toshiyuki Inoue mused that he must have a “secret” for producing such a large volume of superb cuts¹.

Matsumoto’s character animation is loose and full of smears, often looking like featureless masses in individual frames. He’s a master of natural phenomena: water, fire, rocks, etc. He draws smoke without highlights, a tendency that earned the nickname “Norio smoke” and has been imitated by animators Shingo Yamashita and Kenichi Kutsuna. Occasionally storyboards his own scenes as he did for Birdy the Mighty Decode:02 12, the third Naruto movie, and Rurouni Kenshin 31 & 85. Prefers battles that take place in wide open spaces with lots of forward momentum and background movement. Influenced by Satoru Utsunomiya and Takashi Nakamura, and has adapted elements of their approach for a wider audience¹.

Though one of his earliest assignments was Assistant Animation Check for Akira, his first major gig was on Ranma 1/2. There Matsumoto often partnered with director Kazuhiro Furuhashi and animators Atsuko Nakajima, Tokuyuki Matsutake, and Hirofumi Suzuki. He would continue to collaborate with Furuhashi on Rurouni Kenshin (particularly episodes 30-31), You’re Under Arrest, and Hunter x Hunter. Around this time Matsumoto was also mentored by Tomohiro Hirata on Irresponsible Captain Tylor (Matsumoto animated the second ED)¹.

As his career has progressed, he’s taken on greater and greater challenges as an animator. Whenever he serves as AD on an episode, he does a staggering amount of the KA himself. Examples include You’re Under Arrest OVA 2, Popolocrois Monogatari 3 (nearly a solo), Earth Maiden Arjuna 4, Beck 15 (half the KA), Noein 12, Birdy the Mighty Decode 12, and Yozakura Quartet 12 (half the KA). He also solo’d Eat Man episode 7 and the Kuragehime ED. He attempted to solo You’re Under Arrest 39 but when he failed to do so he requested his name not be listed in the credits despite animating the vast majority of the episode. Matsumoto’s episodes stand out for their uniquely rendered characters that show a debt to the realist school of the late 80s/early 90s¹.

Famous for his work on Naruto with Atsushi Wakabayashi. Matsumoto was the lead animator on Wakabayashi’s episodes 30, 71, and 133 of Naruto and episode 167 of Naruto Shippuden¹.

As a well known animator with a wide network of connections, he regularly helps and receives help from his friends. This includes directors Hirata Tomohiro, Osamu Kobayashi, Kazuhiro Furuhashi and animators Atsushi Wakabayashi, Ryo-chimo, Suzuki Hirofumi, Matsutake Tokuyuki and Suzuki Shinji among others.

MAD1 - MAD2 - SakugaBooru - Japanese Wiki Page

Works

• Robot Carnival(1987/OVA)

1. In-betweens.

• Yoiko no Tanoshi Christmas(1987/OVA)

1. In-betweens.

• Hitomi no Naka no Shounen: Juugo Shounen Hyouryuuki(1987/TVSP)

1. In-betweens.

• Bikkuriman(1987~1989/TV)

1. In-betweens: #21, #60.

• Hotaru no Haka(1988/Movie)

1. In-betweens Check Assistant.

• Saint Seiya: Saishuu Seisen no Senshi-tachi(1989/Movie)

1. In-betweens Check.

• Peter Pan no Bouken(1989/TV)

1. Key Animation: #19, #22, #26, #29, #32, #35, #41.

• Crusher Joe(1989/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #2.

• Ranma 1/2(1989/TV)

1. Key Animation: #9.

• Ranma 1/2 Nettou hen(1989~1992/TV)

1. Key Animation: #8, #16, #24, #28, #30, #31, #35, #50.

• Gosenzo-sama Banbanzai!(1989~1990/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #5, #6.

• Kyoushoku Soukou Guyver(1989/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #6.

• Maroko(1990/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• The Hakkenden(1990~1991/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #1.

• Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor: New OVA(1990~1992/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #2.

• Robin Hood no Daibouken(1990~1991/TV)

1. Key Animation: #22, #34.

• Lodoss-tou Senki(1990~1991/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #8, #10.

• Roujin Z(1991/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Ranma ½: Chuugoku Nekonron Daikessen! Okite Yaburi no Gekitou-hen!!(1991/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Musekinin Kanchou Tylor(1993/TV)

1. Animation: ED2.
2. Key Animation: #1, #4, #5, #8, #11, #14, #16, #23, #26.

• Kokoro o Hagukumu Meisaku Anime Series Mitsu no Onigai(1993/OVA)

1. Key Animation.

• Shippuu! Iron Leaguer(1993~1994/TV)

1. Key Animation: #22.

• Nekketsu Saikyou Go-Saurer(1993~1994/TV)

1. Key Animation: #37.

• Aoki Uru

1. Key Animation.

• Soukou Kihei Votoms: Kakuyaku taru Itan(1994~1995/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #1.

• JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken(1993~1994/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #12(#5).

• Taiho Shichau zo(1994~1995/OVA)

1. Animation Direction: #2.
2. Key Animation: #3, #4.

• Nikku(1995~1996/TV)

1. Key Animation: #2.

• H2(1995~1996/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP1, OP2, #23, #34, #38, #41.
2. Design Works.

• El Hazard 2: The Magnificent World(1995/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #5, #6.

• Macross Plus(1995/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Evnagelion(1995~1996/TV)

1. Key Animation: #5, #8.

• Memories(1995/Movie)

1. Key Animation: #2.

• Exciting Miruku(1996~1996/Game)

1. Key Animation.

• Tenkuu no Escaflowne(1996/TV)

1. Key Animation: #20.

• Gun Smith Cats(1995~1996/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #3.

• Elf wo Karu Mono-tachi(1996/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Rurouni Kenshin(1996~1998/TV)

1. Storyboard: #31, #85.
2. Key Animation: #30, #31, #60, #66, #85.

• Ihatov Gensou: Kenji no Haru(1996/TVSP)

1. Key Animation.

• Eat-Man(1997/TV)

1. Animation Direction: #7.
2. Art Setting: #7.
3. Key Animation: #1, #7, #11.

• Dainaairan(1997/SS)

1. Key Animation.

• Taiho Shichau zo(1996~1997/TV)

1. Key Animation: #39(NC).

• Rekka no Honoo(1997~1998/TV)

1. Key Animation: #6, #22.

• Shounen Sunday CM Love

1. Key Animation.

• Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die(1998/SS)

1. Key Animation.

• Chou Kidou Densetsu DinaGiga(1998/OVA)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Popolocrois Monogatari(1998~1999/TV)

1. Key Animation: #1, #3.
2. Animation Direction: #3.

• Virtual Girl Lun(1999/Game)

1. Key Animation.

• Rurouni Kenshin - Tsuioku-hen(1999/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #1, #2, #3.

• Tenchi Muyou! in Love 2: Haruka Naru Omoi(1999/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Melty Lancer(1999~2000/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #1, #6.

• Medarot(1999~2000/TV)

1. Key Animation: #3, #9, #38.

• Tonari no Yamada-kun(1999/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Neo Ranga(1998~1999/TV)

1. Key Animation: #42.

• Hunter × Hunter(1999~2001/TV)

1. Key Animation: #11, #17, #22, #28.

• Amon: Devilman Mokushiroku(2000/OVA)

1. Key Animation.

• Gensō Suikogaiden Volume 1: Swordsman of Harmonia(2000/PS)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Sci-Fi Harry(2000~2001/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Blood The Last Vampire(2000/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Chikyuu Shoujo Arjuna(2001/TV)

1. Episode Direction: #4.
2. Animation Direction: #4.
3. Key Animation: #4, #13.

• Chance Triangle Session(2001/TV)

1. Key Animation: #6, #10.

• Rurouni Kenshin: Seisou-hen(2001~2002/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #1, #2.

• Gensō Suikogaiden 3(2002/PS2)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Shiawase Sou no Okojo-san(2001~2002/TV)

1. Key Animation: #51.

• Haibane Renmei(2002/TV)

1. Key Animation: #4, #8, #13.

• Macross Zero(2002~2004/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #1.

• Overman King Gainer(2002~2003/TV)

1. Key Animation: #23.

• Naruto(2002~2007/TV)

1. Key Animation: #30, #48, #71, #133, OP1, OP3, OP4, OP9.

• The Animatrix Kid's Story(2003/OVA)

1. Key Animation.

• Peace Maker(2003~2004/TV)

1. Key Animation: #4, #22, #23.
2. Avant-Title Key Animation: #1.

• Tokyo God-fathers(2003/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Mousou Dairinin(2004/TV)

1. Key Animation: #1, #8.

• Koi Kaze(2004/TV)

1. Key Animation: #11, #13, OP.

• Beck(2004~2005/TV)

1. Key Animation: #1, #8, #15, #22, #25.
2. Animation Direction: #15(Joint).

• Tales of Rebirth(2004/PS2)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• One Piece: Omatsuri Danshaku to Himitsu no Shima(2005/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Naruto: Dai Gekitotsu! Maboroshi no Chiteiiseki Dattebayo!(2005/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Noein: Mou Hitori no Kimi e(2005~2006/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP, #7, #12, #17, #21, #24.
2. Animation Direction: #12.

• Tales of the Abyss(2006/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Naruto: Dai Koufun! Mikazuki Jima no Animaru Panikku Dattebayo!(2006/Movie)

1. Storyboard.
2. Key Animation.

• Le Chevalier D'Eon(2006~2007/TV)

1. Key Animation: #18, #24, OP.

• NHK ni Youkoso!(2006/TV)

1. Key Animation: #24.

• Koisuru Tenshi Angelique: Kagayaki no Ashita(2007/TV)

1. Key Animation: #11, OP.

• Bokurano(2007/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP, #18.

• Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann(2007/TV)

1. Key Animation: #14.

• Globarange(2007/TV)

1. Key Animation.

• Bakkano(2007/TV)

1. Key Animation: #1, #7, #13.

• Stranger: Mukou Hadan(2007/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Taiho Shichau zo: Full Throttle(2007~2008/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Shugo Chara!(2007~2008/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Tokyo Marble Chocolate(2007/OVA)

1. Key Animation: #2.

• Doraemon: Nobita to Midori no Kyojin Den(2008/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Macross F(2008/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Ranma ½: Akumu! Shunmin Kou(2008/OVA)

1. Key Animation.

• Naruto Shuppuuden(2007~2017/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP3, OP4, OP6, OP16, OP18, #305, #343, #387, #510, #513(NC).

• RD Sennou Chousashitsu(2008/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP, #16.

• Tales of Vesperia(2008/Xbox)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Tetswan Birdy Decode(2008/TV)

1. Animation Direction: #12.
2. Key Animation: #12.
3. 2nd Key Animation: #13.

• Casshern Sins(2008/TV)

1. Key Animation: #6, #19.

• Tetswan Birdy Decode 2(2009/TV)

1. Storyboard: #12.
2. Key Animation: OP, #7, #12.

• Sengoku Basara(2009/TV)

1. Key Animation: #2, #12.

• Princess Lover!(2009/TV)

1. Key Animation: #9.

• Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei(2010/TV)

1. Key Animation: #2.

• Uchuu Show e Youkoso(2010/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Colorful(2010/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Kuragehime(2010/TV)

1. Key Animation: #1, #6, #11.
2. Animation: ED.

• Naruto × Uniqlo(2011)

1. Key Animation(NC).

• Rurouni Kenshin(2011/PSP Game)

1. Key Animation: OP.

• Anohana(2011/TV)

1. Key Animation: #2(NC).

• Rurouni Kenshin Shin Kyoto-hen(2012/OVA)

1. Key Animation(NC).

• Yozakura Quartet: Hoshi no Umi(2010~2011/OAD)

1. Key Animation: #3(NC).

• Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden(2012~2013/TV)

1. Key Animation: #51(NC).

• Yozakura Quartet Hana no Uta(2013/TV)

1. Key Animation:#12.
2. Episode Direction: #12(Joint).
3. Animation Direction: #12(Joint).
4. Digital Key Animation: #1.
5. 2nd Key Animation: #10.

• Kaguya Hime(2013/Movie)

1. Animation(NC).

• Yama no Susume 2nd Season(2014/TV)

1. Key Animation: #22, #24.

• Miss Hokusai(2015/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Boruto Naruto the Movie(2015/Movie)

1. Key Animation.
2. Animation Direction(Joint).
3. Storyboard(Joint).
4. Episode Direction(Joint).

• Mitsuami no Kamisama Animation Part(2015/Live Action)

1. Key Animation.

• Osomatsu-san(2015~2016/TV)

1. Key Animation: #18.

• Mob Psycho 100(2016/TV)

1. Key Animation: #5(NC).

• Your Name(2016/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Natsume Yuujinchou Go(2016/TV)

1. Animation: ED.

• Chiruran: Nibun no Ichi(2017/TV)

1. Key Animation: #1.

• Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome(2017/Movie)

1. Key Animation.

• Shingeki no Bahamut Virgin Soul(2017/TV)

1. Key Animation: #1.

• Buroto Naruto Next Generations(2017~/TV)

1. Key Animation: OP4.
2. 2nd Key Animation: #23.

• Houseki no Kuni(2017/TV)

1. Pre Visualisation: #8.
2. Key Animation: #8.

• Devilman Crybaby(2018/WEB)

1. Key Animation: #10.

• Yama no Susume 3rd Season(2018/TV)

1. Animation: #4.
   1. #4: Solo Key Animated.