Naohiro Ogata

Originally from Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan, Ogata joined Sunrise Inc., a renowned animation studio, where he began his career as a production assistant and manager. Rising through the ranks, he was appointed as a Producer in October 2006, marking his debut with the series "Kekkaishi." Ogata's production career flourished, contributing to several acclaimed animated series and movies, including the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series and adaptations of works by notable manga artists Rumiko Takahashi and Tsukasa Hojo, such as "Inuyasha" and "City Hunter" animated movies, respectively.

In April 2018, Ogata took on a pivotal role as the Executive Director at Sunrise, overseeing the studio's operations. Following the merger of Sunrise with Bandai Namco Arts in 2022 to form Bandai Namco Filmworks, Inc., he was appointed head of Production, Executive Director, and General Manager at the IP Strategic Business Group and Gundam Department. In this capacity, Ogata not only spearheaded various new Gundam projects but also played a significant role in the Gundam merchandising initiatives within the Bandai Namco Group.

Ogata's impressive portfolio includes executive producer credits on titles such as "Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch from Mercury," "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM," "Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway," and "Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island." Additionally, he has produced notable works like "Mobile Suit Gundam UC," "Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative," and "Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt." His contributions have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of the anime industry, particularly in the realm of mech-themed animations.