Common questions about Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Hiromasa Yonebayashi born and where did he study?

Hiromasa Yonebayashi was born in 1973 and studied at the Kanazawa College of Art. His early training in commercial design defined his unique approach to animation.

What was Hiromasa Yonebayashi's first film as a director and when was it released?

Hiromasa Yonebayashi directed The Secret World of Arrietty in 2010. This film marked his directorial debut at the age of 37 and became the youngest directorial debut in Studio Ghibli's history.

When did Hiromasa Yonebayashi receive his first Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature?

Hiromasa Yonebayashi received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2015 for the film When Marnie Was There. The film was released in 2014 and was based on the novel by Joan G. Robinson.

When did Hiromasa Yonebayashi leave Studio Ghibli and what studio did he establish?

Hiromasa Yonebayashi left Studio Ghibli in December 2014 after 18 years with the studio. He and producer Yoshiaki Nishimura established Studio Ponoc in June 2015.

What was the first feature film released by Studio Ponoc and when was it released?

Studio Ponoc released its first feature film Mary and the Witch's Flower in 2017. The film was based on the novel by Mary Stewart and served as the cornerstone of the studio's identity.

When did Hiromasa Yonebayashi return to Studio Ghibli and what film did he work on?

Hiromasa Yonebayashi returned to Studio Ghibli in 2023 as a key animator on The Boy and the Heron. The film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and marked a significant moment in Yonebayashi's career.