Shigeru Nishiyama

Shigeru Nishiyama’s filmography is a bit like flipping through an anime lover’s fever dream, honestly. You’ve got Samâ uôzu from 2009, which, let’s be real, is one of those movies that sneaks up on you. At first, you’re thinking it’s just another underwater adventure, but nope—suddenly you’re knee-deep in emotional currents and weirdly relatable fish. Yeah, I said it. The animation? It’s got that blend of charm and subtlety that only a few directors can pull off, and Nishiyama’s style is all over it. The guy knows how to make you care about stuff you never thought you would. Then there’s The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006). If you haven’t seen this one, are you even into anime? The whole time-travel angle gets a fresh coat of paint here. It’s not just about hopping around the calendar; it’s about regrets, choices, and that gut-punch feeling of growing up too fast. Nishiyama’s touch is sort of invisible but totally crucial—he’s like the director who’s not afraid to let a quiet moment breathe or let a character just… exist. Jump to Bakemono no ko (2015), and things get a little wild. Think street kids, monsters, and some serious daddy issues, all wrapped up in this epic, heart-thumping coming-of-age story. There’s action, there’s heart, and there’s that signature Nishiyama vibe—like, he’s not afraid to get weird or emotional, sometimes both in the same scene. Altogether, his work leaves you feeling a bit raw, a bit inspired, and maybe thinking about life in a new way.