Kenzō Masaoka Explained

Kenzo Masaoka
Birth Date:	5 October 1898
Birth Place:	Osaka, Japan
Death Place:	Tokyo, Japan
Other Names:	Donbei Masaoka
Occupation:	Animator
Nationality:	Japanese

was a Japanese early anime creator.

Masaoka was the first to use cel animation and recorded sound in anime.^[1] He worked at a number of companies as an animator and actor, and was one of the founders of what became Toei Animation. His work as a special effects artist earned him the title "Japanese Méliès."^[2]

He also did work under the pseudonym .

Famous animators who worked under him include Mitsuyo Seo and Yasuji Mori.

Filmography

Year	English Name	Japanese Name	Romaji	Source
	Sea Palace	貝の宮殿	Kai no kyūden
	Shell Palace	海の宮殿	Umi no kyūden
	Nonsense Story, Volume 1: Monkey Island	難船ス物語 第壱篇 猿ヶ嶋	Nansensu Monogatari Daīppen Sarugashima	^[3]
	Shipwreck Story - Second Chapter - The Pirate Ship	難船ス物語　第二篇　海賊船	Nansensu Monogatari - Daini-hen - Kaizokusen	^[4]
	-	馬鹿八と城主様	Bakahachi to jōshu-sama	^[5]
	The World of Power and Women	力と女の世の中	Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka	^[6]
	-	-	Shudan no tosei
	Three Crows	三羽烏	Sanba garasu
	The Gang and the Dancer	ギャングと踊り子	Gyangu to Odoriko
	Vengeful Crow	-	Adauchi Karasu
	The Dance of the Chagamas The Teakettle Marching Song	茶釜音頭	Chagama ondo
	Fairy Forest	森の妖精	Mori no yōsei
	Ta-chan's Underwater Adventure	ターチャンの海底旅行	Tāchan no kaitei ryoko	^[7]
	Ta-chan's Monster Adventure	ターチャンの怪物退治	Tāchan no kaibutsu taiji
	Princess Kaguya	かぐや姫	Kaguya Hime
	The Sparrows' Lodge	雀のお宿	Suzume no Oyado
	-	やっこのタコ平	Yakko no Takohei: Otomo wa tsuyoi ne
	Monkey and Crabs	マングワ 新猿蟹合戰	Shin Saru Kani Gassen	^[8]
	Cat's Folktale	ニャンの浦島	Nyan no urashima	^[9]
	Benkei and Ushiwaka	弁慶対牛若	Benkei tai Ushiwaka	^[10] ^[11]
	Magician In The Dream	夢の魔術師	Yume no Majutsushi	^[12]
	Attack on Fuku-chan	フクちゃんの奇襲	Fuku-chan no kishū	^[13]
	Spider and Tulip	くもとちゅうりっぷ	Kumo to chūrippu	^[14]
	Cherry Blossom Spring's Fantasy	桜 - 春の幻想	Sakura: Haru no genso	^[15]
	Abandoned Cat Little Tora	すて猫トラちゃん	Sute Neko Tora-chan
	Tora-chan and the Bride	トラちゃんと花嫁	Tora-chan to Hanayome	^[16]
	Tora-chan and the Insect	トラちゃんのカンカン虫	Tora-chan no Kankan Mushi	^[17]

Notes and References

1. Kōdansha (1993). Japan: an illustrated encyclopedia. Kōdansha,
2. The World History of Animation, Stephen Cavalier p. 144
3. Web site: 作品一覧 (3). animation.filmarchives.jp. Japanese. August 10, 2017.
4. Web site: 難船ス物語 第二篇 海. Japanese Movie Database. Japanese. August 10, 2017.
5. Web site: Bakahachi to jōshu-sama. Japanese Media Arts Database. Japanese. August 10, 2017.
6. Web site: Pioneers of Japanese Animation. Jasper. Sharp. Midnight Eye: The Latest and Best in Japanese Cinema. 23 September 2004. August 10, 2017.
7. Web site: Japanese Anime Classic Collection [Disc 3]]. www.digital-meme.com. August 10, 2017.
8. Web site: Monkey and Crabs. animation.filmarchives.jp. August 10, 2017.
9. Web site: Cat's Folktale. Japanese Media Arts Database. Japanese. August 10, 2017.
10. Benkei and Ushiwaka . The Roots of Japanese Anime. 7. 1939.
11. Web site: Pioneers of Japanese Animation (Part 2). Jasper. Sharp. Midnight Eye: The Latest and Best in Japanese Cinema. 23 September 2004. August 10, 2017.
12. Web site: Magician In The Dream. Japanese Media Arts Database. Japanese. August 10, 2017.
13. Web site: Attack on Fuku-chan. Japanese Media Arts Database. Japanese. August 10, 2017.
14. Web site: Animage Top-100 Anime Listing. January 15, 2008. Anime News Network. August 10, 2017.
15. Web site: 東京都・京橋で「こども映画館2013」。喜劇王の無声映画や初期アニメを公開. mynavi.jp. Japanese. June 14, 2013. August 10, 2017.
16. Web site: トラちゃんと花嫁. The National Film Center Japan. Japanese. August 10, 2017.
17. Web site: トラちゃんのカンカン虫. Japanese Media Arts Database. Japanese. August 10, 2017.