Co-founder of Studio MADHOUSE, Kawajiri cut his animation teeth at Mushi Production alongside the likes of Osamu Dezaki and Masao Maruyama. Credited by Maruyama as the engine that kept the studio going in its second era, the director produced hit after visceral hit with Wicked City, Cyber City Oedo 808, and Ninja Scroll—titles filled with gory action and ladies galore. But perhaps he’s best known for his magnum opus, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. Still at MADHOUSE to this day, Kawajiri has stepped back from directing but has storyboarded episodes of today’s biggest hits—including Jujutsu Kaisen, Trigun Stampede, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.