Hayato Date
AnimatorHayato Date is the Japanese animation director who steered the long-running Naruto television series produced by Studio Pierrot, one of the defining credits of his career.
Naruto Role
Date took the chair as series director for the original Naruto anime and stayed on to lead its Naruto: Shippuden continuation, guiding the Studio Pierrot production across its full run of hundreds of episodes. In that seat he shaped the show's pacing, tone, and staging as it adapted Masashi Kishimoto's manga for television. He also lent his hand to storyboards and episode direction on individual installments, and his sustained oversight defined how audiences around the world first met the ninja saga on screen.
Career and Notable Roles
Born in 1962, Date is one of Studio Pierrot's most prolific directors, with credits that reach across animation, episode direction, storyboarding, and writing on numerous television productions. Outside of Naruto he is closely identified with the anime adaptation of Gensomaden Saiyuki, another of the works most associated with his name. His decades of directing have made him a familiar figure behind some of the studio's biggest franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the Naruto anime?
Hayato Date served as series director for the original Naruto anime and stayed on to lead its Naruto: Shippuden continuation. He guided the Studio Pierrot production across its full run of hundreds of episodes.
What other anime has Hayato Date directed?
Outside of Naruto, Date is closely identified with the anime adaptation of Gensomaden Saiyuki. It stands as one of the other works most associated with his name.
What did Hayato Date do beyond directing on Naruto?
In addition to his role as series director, Date lent his hand to storyboards and episode direction on individual installments of Naruto. That hands-on work shaped the show's pacing and staging as it adapted Masashi Kishimoto's manga for television.
When was Hayato Date born?
Hayato Date was born in 1962. He is one of Studio Pierrot's most prolific directors.
What is Hayato Date known for at Studio Pierrot?
Date is one of Studio Pierrot's most prolific directors, with credits spanning animation, episode direction, storyboarding, and writing on numerous television productions. His sustained oversight of Naruto defined how audiences around the world first met the ninja saga on screen.
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Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Anime, 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 Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
- Licensed imagery: Photographs of real people, including creators, voice actors and production staff, are used under licence from the rights holder or the applicable stock provider, or under the terms of a public licence permitting editorial use. Each such image is reproduced in its licensed form and remains the property of its owner.
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Official resources:
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