Haruo Sotozaki

Biography

Haruo Sotozaki is a Japanese anime, film, and video game director active since the mid-1990s. He made his full debut as director in 2004 with Ninja Nonsense (also known as 2×2 = Shinobuden). Over the years he directed several well-received series including Tales of Symphonia: The Animation and Tales of Zestiria the X. His international acclaim rose sharply when he directed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba in 2019, followed by the theatrical film Mugen Train (2020), which won numerous awards and broke box office records. Sotozaki is known for combining dramatic storytelling, striking visuals, and meticulous animation direction. He continues to work on new instalments of Demon Slayer, including recent films and arcs that expand on its universe. His influence stands out in modern anime, and fans often cite his ability to balance emotional depth with action, making his work both commercially successful and critically respected.