Animation Conference 2026
How to Become an Anime Screenwriter
Overview
Drawing on personal experiences and accounts shared by acquaintances, this session provides a practical guide to the different paths toward becoming an anime screenwriter.
Speakers
Writer / Filmmaker
Mitsuyasu Sakai
Born on September 19, 1963, in Osaka, Japan. In 1990, he began introducing and translating British and American science fiction. He later expanded his work beyond science fiction to include mysteries and comics, and beyond novels to film and television, establishing himself as a critic and translator covering entertainment across a wide range of genres and media.
In 1995, he began working as a technical and setting consultant on the medium-length live-action film "Remnant 6". The following year, he made his debut as a screenwriter on the television anime series "Martian Successor Nadesico".
In 2007, he enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. After graduating, he pursued a career in directing, releasing "Orbital Christmas", an independently produced live-action short film that he wrote and directed, in 2021.
Selected works include "Martian Successor Nadesico", "Stellvia", “The Duel” from "Star Wars: Visions", and "Yakitori: Soldiers of Misfortune".