Kei Tsunematsu
DirectorKei Tsunematsu is a Japanese episode and unit director who worked on the Death Note anime, produced by Madhouse, contributing storyboard and episode direction work early in the series.
Death Note Role
Tsunematsu contributed to Death Note as a storyboard artist and unit director on the series' opening sequence and served as episode director on the first episode, helping set the show's visual tone from its debut. The role placed Tsunematsu among the team of episode directors who rotated through the series under Madhouse and series director Tetsurō Araki.
Career and Notable Roles
Tsunematsu went on to become a frequent collaborator with studio ufotable, working as episode director and unit director across the Fate franchise, including Fate/Zero and the Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works films, as well as on Demon Slayer. Other credits include episode direction on Ergo Proxy, Samurai Champloo, and Darker than Black.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kei Tsunematsu do on the Death Note anime?
Kei Tsunematsu worked as a storyboard artist and unit director on Death Note's opening sequence and served as episode director on the very first episode. That early work helped set the show's visual tone from its debut.
Who did Kei Tsunematsu work under on Death Note?
Tsunematsu was part of the team of episode directors who rotated through Death Note at Madhouse, working under series director Tetsuro Araki. That rotating structure was common for the studio's television productions.
What anime has Kei Tsunematsu worked on at ufotable?
Tsunematsu became a frequent collaborator with studio ufotable, working as episode director and unit director on Fate/Zero and the Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works films, as well as on Demon Slayer. These are among his most prominent credits after Death Note.
What other anime has Kei Tsunematsu directed episodes for?
Beyond Death Note and his ufotable work, Tsunematsu has episode direction credits on Ergo Proxy, Samurai Champloo, and Darker than Black. The credits span several different studios and tones.
What does an episode director do on an anime series?
An episode director oversees the direction of a single episode within a larger series, distinct from the overall series director's role. On Death Note, Tsunematsu filled that job for the premiere episode while also working as a storyboard artist and unit director on the opening sequence.
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Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Death Note anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Nippon Television and Warner Bros. Japan.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Konami and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha, Tsugumi Ohba, and Takeshi Obata.
Official resources:
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