Takao Kato

Takao Kato (Japanese: 加戸誉夫, Hepburn: Katō Takao) is a Japanese anime director and screenwriter. Kato started working in the anime industry in 1987 and directed his first full series in 1996. Since then, some of the series he has directed include MegaMan NT Warrior, Buso Renkin, To Love Ru, and Pandora Hearts.

Takao Kato
加戸誉夫
Nationality	Japanese
Occupation(s)	Anime director and screenwriter
Years active	1987–present
Known for	MegaMan NT Warrior Buso Renkin To Love Ru Pandora Hearts
Children	2

Biography

Kato has cited Hayao Miyazaki's early works, particularly The Castle of Cagliostro and Future Boy Conan, as influences on his work.^[1] Kato started working in the anime industry in 1987 and was put in charge of directing for the first time with Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!! in 1996.^[2] Following Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!!, he directed MegaMan NT Warrior, Buso Renkin, To Love Ru, and Pandora Hearts, among others.^[1]

Personal life

Kato has two daughters.^[1]

Filmography

TV series

Year	Title	Studio	Director	Writer	Ref
1996–1998	Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!!	Xebec	Yes[a]	No	[2]
1998–1999	Super Yo-Yo	Xebec	Yes	No	[3]
1999–2000	Zoids: Chaotic Century	Xebec	Yes	No	[4]
2001	Zoids: New Century	Xebec	Yes	No	[5]
2002–2003	MegaMan NT Warrior	Xebec	Yes	No	[6]
2003–2004	MegaMan NT Warrior: Axess	Xebec	Yes	No	[7]
2004–2005	MegaMan NT Warrior: Stream	Xebec	Yes	No	[8]
2005–2006	MegaMan NT Warrior: Beast	Xebec	Yes	No	[9]
2006	MegaMan NT Warrior: Beast+	Xebec	Yes	No	[10]
2006–2007	Mega Man Star Force	Xebec	Yes	No	[11]
2007–2008	Ryūsei no Rockman Tribe	Xebec	Yes	No	[12]
2006–2007	Buso Renkin	Xebec	Yes	No	[13]
2007	Over Drive	Xebec	Yes	No	[14]
2008	To Love Ru	Xebec	Yes	No	[15]
2009	Pandora Hearts	Xebec	Yes	No	[16]
2010–2013	Keshikasu-kun	Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment	Yes	No	[17]
2011	Rio: Rainbow Gate!	Xebec	Yes	No	[18]
2011	Hen Semi	Xebec	Yes	No	[19]
2011–2014	Duel Masters Victory	Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment	Yes	No	[20]
2012–2013	Baku Tech! Bakugan	Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment	Yes	No	[21]
2015	Triage X	Xebec	Yes[b]	No	[22]
2016	Keijo	Xebec	No	Yes	[23]
2017	Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu	OLM Xebec	Yes	No	[24]
2018–2019	Future Card Buddyfight Ace	OLM Xebec	Yes	No	[25]
2019–2020	Zoids Wild Zero	OLM Team Masuda	Yes	No	[26]
2022	More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers	Studio Mother	Yes[c]	No	[27]
2024	As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World	Studio Mother	Yes	No	[28]

Films

Year	Title	Studio	Director	Writer	Ref
2005	Rockman EXE Hikari to Yami no Program	Xebec	Yes	No	[29]
2008	Major: Yūjō no Winning Shot	Xebec	Yes	No	[30]
2018	Eiga Drive Head: Tomica Hyper Rescue Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu	OLM Xebec	Yes	No	[24]

Original net animation

Year	Title	Studio	Director	Writer	Ref
2012	Upotte!!	Xebec	Yes	No	[31]
2018	Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu	OLM Xebec	Yes	No	[24]
2025	Koala's Diary	Studio Mother	Yes	No	[32]

Original video animation

Year	Title	Studio	Director	Writer	Ref
1990	Gdleen	Tokyo Laboratory	Yes[d]	No	[33]
1994–1995	Compiler	Animate Film Studio Fantasia	Yes	Yes	[34]
1994–1995	Ogre Slayer	OB Planning	Yes	No	[35]
1996–1997	Sorcerer Hunters	Xebec	Yes	No	[36]

Notes

1. Co-directed with Tetsurō Amino
2. Co-directed with Akio Takami
3. Credited as Chief Director (総監督, Sō Kantoku); co-directed with Junichi Yamamoto
4. Co-directed with Toyoo Ashida