History Creator / MamoruOshii

* ''Manga/UruseiYatsura: Only You'' (1983)
* ''Manga/UruseiYatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer'' (1984)

* ''Anime/GhostInTheShell2Innocence'' (2004)

* ''Franchise/{{Patlabor}}'' (OVA, 1988)

* DoingItForTheArt: [[invoked]] One of the most egregious examples ever. This tendency is allegedly what got him fired from ''Urusei Yatsura''.

Mamoru Oshii (born 8 August, 1951) is a highly influential Japanese anime and live-action director.

In 1988, Oshii returned to the mainstream when he joined anime super-group “HEADGEAR” (which included colleagues from his ''Urusei Yatsura'' days) and produced the OVA ''Anime/{{Patlabor}}''. He also directed ''Patlabor: The Movie'', the ''Patlabor''… [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin well, movie]]. This was followed up in 1993 with ''Patlabor 2'', a somber film that deals with terrorism, the nature of peace vs. war, the complacency of a nation's citizens, Japan's place in the modern world, and other [[SarcasmMode fluffy topics]]. During this time he also wrote some episodes for the ''Patlabor'' TV and second OVA series.

* ''Anime/{{Patlabor}}'' (OVA, 1988)

* ''Anime/{{Patlabor}}: The Movie'' (1989)
* ''Maroko'' (1990)
* ''Patlabor 2: The Movie'' (1993)

* BenevolentBoss: Is a laid-back boss and director, at least according to him. While this does provide for a more lax workplace (compared to the reportedly very strict Creator/StudioGhibli) it can also result in some of his works being less-polished than some of his contemporaries. Case in point: have fun playing "Spot the Frame Jump" while watching the otherwise brilliantly animated ''Patlabor 2''.

* UncannyValley: Invoked repeatedly in his films, to the point of becoming a major theme in ''Innocence''.

The biggest hit of Oshii’s career though came in 1995, with the release of his adaptation of Creator/MasamuneShirow’s ''Manga/GhostInTheShell''. This highly influential cyberpunk movie was technically groundbreaking, using a subtle blend of traditional cel art and computer graphics to great effect. ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'', which was heavily influenced by Creator/RidleyScott’s ''Film/BladeRunner'', would go on in turn to inspire many films afterward, including ''Film/TheMatrix''. It was also one of a number of gateway anime that helped the medium gain popularity in the West.

Mamoru Oshii continues to write and direct to this day. In addition to directing ''Innocence'', the sequel to his biggest hit ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'', he directed the Polish Sci-Fi film ''Avalon'' and the [[ContemplateOurNavels Navel-Gazing]] Air Combat yarn ''Anime/TheSkyCrawlers'', among many, many others.

* ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'' (1995)
* ''Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence'' (2004)

* CerebusSyndrome: He has a tendency to make TheMovie of a zany comedy or action-oriented franchise ''waaay'' more philosophically complex, to the point that the movie almost seems like a different world altogether. Case in point: ''[[Manga/UruseiYatsura Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer]]'', ''[[Anime/{{Patlabor}} Patlabor 2: The Movie]]'', ''Anime/GhostInTheShell''.

* PrimaDonnaDirector: Why he's never worked on a TV series nor an adaptation from a manga or light novel since getting fired from ''Manga/UruseiYatsura'', save for ''Anime/GhostInTheShell''.

** ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'' contains lovingly detailed scenes of what appears to be either Hong Kong or Yokohama's Chinatown.

* CerebusSyndrome: He has a tendency to make TheMovie of a zany comedy or action-oriented franchise ''waaay'' more philosophically complex, to the point that the movie almost seems like a different world altogether. Case in point: ''[[Manga/UruseiYatsura Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer]]'', ''[[Anime/{{Patlabor}} Patlabor 2: The movie]]'', ''Anime/GhostInTheShell''.

* SignatureStyle: Characters approaching their own reflections, especially with water. [[LeaveTheCameraRunning Long stretches of scenery, to help the soundtrack take center stage.]]

In 1988, Oshii returned to the mainstream when he joined anime super-group “HEADGEAR” (which included colleagues from his ''Urusei Yatsura'' days) and produced the OVA ''Anime/Patlabor''. He also directed ''Patlabor: The Movie'', the ''Patlabor''… [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin well, movie]]. This was followed up in 1993 with ''Patlabor 2'', a somber film that deals with terrorism, the nature of peace vs. war, the complacency of a nation's citizens, Japan's place in the modern world, and other [[SarcasmMode fluffy topics]]. During this time he also wrote some episodes for the ''Patlabor'' TV and second OVA series.

In 1988, Oshii returned to the mainstream when he joined anime super-group “HEADGEAR” (which included colleagues from his ''Urusei Yatsura'' days) and produced the OVA ''Patlabor''. He also directed ''Patlabor: The Movie'', the ''Patlabor''… [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin well, movie]]. This was followed up in 1993 with ''Patlabor 2'', a somber film that deals with terrorism, the nature of peace vs. war, the complacency of a nation's citizens, Japan's place in the modern world, and other [[SarcasmMode fluffy topics]]. During this time he also wrote some episodes for the ''Patlabor'' TV and second OVA series.

* ''Patlabor'' (2015)

* VladLove (2020)

** Oshii was working on a ''Franchise/LupinIII'' project in the mid 1980s. All that survived was some [[http://www.lupinthethird.com/forums/index.php?topic=1607.0 cryptic concept art]].

* ''Manga/KerberosPanzerCops'' (1988-2000)

After a few years of making some highly experimental and artistic anime including ''Anime/AngelsEgg'', Oshii directed his first live-action film, ''Film/TheRedSpectacles'', in 1987. This movie was the first in his dystopian “Franchise/KerberosSaga”, which also includes his 1991 live-action film ''Film/StrayDogKerberosPanzerCops'' as well as the anime film ''Anime/JinRohTheWolfBrigade'' (which he wrote but did not direct), and numerous manga and novels.

After a few years of making some highly experimental and artistic anime including ''Anime/AngelsEgg'', Oshii directed his first live-action film, ''Film/TheRedSpectacles'', in 1987. This movie was the first in his dystopian “Kerberos Saga”, which also includes his 1991 live-action film ''Film/StrayDogKerberosPanzerCops'' as well as the anime film ''Anime/JinRohTheWolfBrigade'' (which he wrote but did not direct), and numerous manga and novels.

After a few years of making some highly experimental and artistic anime including ''Anime/AngelsEgg'', Oshii directed his first live-action film, ''The Red Spectacles'', in 1987. This movie was the first in his dystopian “Kerberos Saga”, which also includes his 1991 live-action film ''Stray Dog'' as well as the anime film ''Anime/JinRohTheWolfBrigade'' (which he wrote but did not direct), and numerous manga and novels.

* ''The Red Spectacles'' (1987)
* ''Stray Dog'' (1991)

Highly influential Japanese anime and live-action director.

[[quoteright:348:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/oshii00_2249.jpg]]

* ''Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence'' (2004)''

-->--'''[[Anime/{{FLCL}} Haruhara Haruko]]'''

Even though he is known today for his films with philosophical dialogue and labyrinthine plots, Mamoru Oshii first rose to prominence at Studio Pierrot directing (and occasionally writing for) the zany anime comedy TV show ''UruseiYatsura''. He also got his start directing films with Urusei Yatsura, directing the first movie, ''Only You'' (which supposedly suffered from ExecutiveMeddling) in 1983.

‘83 was in fact a very busy year for Oshii. In addition to directing a television series and making his first motion picture he also co-wrote and directed ''Dallos'', the first ever OVA. The next year he completed ''Beautiful Dreamer'', the second Urusei Yatsura film. Considered to be the first film to contain Oshii's trademark direction techniques and stylings, this surreal comedy also reportedly upset UY creator Creator/RumikoTakahashi and led to Oshii leaving the franchise.

After a few years of making some highly experimental and artistic anime including ''Anime/AngelsEgg'', Oshii directed his first live-action film, ''The Red Spectacles'' in 1987. This movie was the first in his dystopian “Kerberos Saga,” which also includes his 1991 live-action film Stray Dog as well as the anime film ''Anime/JinRohTheWolfBrigade'', (Which he wrote but did not direct) and numerous manga and novels.

In 1988 Oshii returned to the mainstream when he joined anime super group “HEADGEAR” (which included colleagues from his Urusei Yatsura days) and produced the OVA ''Patlabor''. He also directed ''Patlabor: The Movie'', the Patlabor, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin well, movie]]. This was followed up in 1993 with ''Patlabor 2'', a somber film that deals with terrorism, the nature of peace vs. war, the complacency of a nation's citizens, Japan's place in the modern world, and other [[SarcasmMode fluffy topics]]. During this time he also wrote some episodes for the Patlabor TV and second OVA series.

The biggest hit of Oshii’s career though came in 1995, with the release of his adaptation of Creator/MasamuneShirow’s ''Manga/GhostInTheShell''. This highly influential cyberpunk movie was technically groundbreaking, using a subtle blend of traditional cel art and computer graphics to great effect. ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'', which was heavily influenced by Creator/RidleyScott’s ''Film/BladeRunner'' would go on in turn to inspire many films afterward, including ''Film/TheMatrix''. It was also one of a number of gateway anime that helped the medium gain popularity in the West.

Mamoru Oshii continues to write and direct to this day. In addition to directing ''Innocence'', the sequel to his biggest hit ''Anime/GhostInTheShell'', he has directed the Polish Sci-Fi film ''Avalon'' and the [[ContemplateOurNavels Navel Gazing]]/Air Combat yarn ''Anime/TheSkyCrawlers'', among many, many others.

* ''Innocence'' (2004): Known internationally as ''Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence''

'''Writing / Other Involvement ''':

* ''Manga/Seraphim266613336Wings'' (1994-1995, incompleted) (with Creator/SatoshiKon)

* BenevolentBoss: Is a laid-back boss and director, at least according to him. While this does provide for a more lax workplace (compared to the reportedly very strict StudioGhibli) it can also result in some of his works being less-polished than some of his contemporaries. Case in point: have fun playing "Spot the Frame Jump" while watching the otherwise brilliantly animated ''Patlabor 2''.

* DeconstructorFleet: The worst mistake you could make is assuming he's not mercilessly tearing into every conventional gunfight scene cliché in the book in both the Kerberos Saga and GitS: Innocence.
* DoingItForTheArt: One of the most egregious examples ever.

* PrimaDonnaDirector: Why he's never worked on a TV anime nor an adaptation from a manga or light novel save for ''Anime/GhostInTheShell''.
* SceneryPorn: Usually of Tokyo, which he is ambivalent about.[[http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/interviews/m_oshii_patlabor2.html]]

* SlobsVersusSnobs: Oshii never makes any effort to dress up for public appearances, [[strike:even]] especially when appearing with other members of the film crew who do not share his bohemian expression.[[http://www.scifijapan.com/ntv/sky14.jpg]]
* TechnologyPorn

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Oshii was working on a Franchise/LupinIII project in the mid 1980s. All that survived was some [[http://www.lupinthethird.com/forums/index.php?topic=1607.0 cryptic concept art]].