Reiko Yoshida

Reiko Yoshida? Oh, she's basically an anime legend. If you’ve been anywhere near the world of Japanese animation, her name’s probably floated by at least once. The woman’s fingerprints are all over some of the most beloved and gut-punching stories out there. Eiga Koe No Katachi (A Silent Voice, 2016) is probably her biggest heartbreaker—seriously, tissues required. It digs into bullying, guilt, forgiveness, and just how messy growing up can be. Not your typical high school drama. The characters are raw, awkward, and painfully real, and Yoshida’s writing doesn’t let anyone off easy. There’s a reason people still can’t shut up about it. Then you’ve got The Cat Returns (2002), which is pure Ghibli magic. Talking cats, a fantasy kingdom, and that slightly off-kilter, dreamlike vibe that Studio Ghibli nails every single time. Yoshida helped shape that script, and honestly, it shows. It’s whimsical and weird in all the best ways, and it’s got this gentle humor that sneaks up on you. And then there’s Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction (2024). Yeah, the title’s a mouthful, but the story’s wild. Alien invasion in Tokyo, but instead of the usual apocalyptic panic, people just… kinda keep living their lives? It’s more about the weirdness of normalcy in chaos, and Yoshida’s got a talent for making the bizarre feel totally relatable. Her scripts always balance serious themes with moments that are just, well, oddly human. If you’re into stories that aren’t afraid to get under your skin or make you laugh at the absurd, Yoshida’s your person.