Kenichi Ishikura

Japanese director and storyboard artist

Kenichi Ishikura
石倉 賢一

Born|

Japan

Occupation(s)| Director, storyboard artist, production assistant
Years active| 2000–present
Employer| E&G Films (2000?)
Known for| Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu
Sakura Trick

Kenichi Ishikura (Japanese: 石倉 賢一, Hepburn: Ishikura Ken'ichi) is a Japanese director and storyboard artist best known for his works with Shaft and the anime adaptation of Sakura Trick.

## Career

[edit]

Ishikura began his career in the industry in 2000 as a production assistant for Invincible King Tri-Zenon under E&G Films, and made his debut as an episode director with the 18th episode of Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars.[1] For the next several years, he worked mainly as a freelance director. In 2007, Ishikura had his first job with Shaft as an episode director and storyboard artist for Hidamari Sketch.[2] For the next 5 years, Ishikura worked mainly with Shaft, and made his series directorial debut with Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chū.[3] The following year, he directed the third season to the Hidamari Sketch franchise,[4] and began to work less with Shaft.

## Works

[edit]

### Television

[edit]

In "Director(s)" column highlights Ishikura's directorial works.

Year  | Title  | Director(s)  | Studio  | SB[a] | ED[b] | Other roles and notes  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2000  | Invincible King Tri-Zenon | Takashi Watanabe | E&G Films  | No  | No  | Assistant production manager  | [5]
2001  | Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars | Tatsuo Satō | Madhouse | No  | Yes  |  | [1]
2002  | Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier | Jun Kawagoe  | Japan Vistec  | No  | Yes  |  | [6]
Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution | Yoshimitsu Ōhashi  | Madhouse  | No  | Yes  |  | [7]
Shrine of the Morning Mist | Yuji Moriyama | Chaos Project | No  | Yes  |  | [8]
2003  | L/R: Licensed by Royalty | Itsuro Kawasaki | TNK | No  | Yes  |  | [9]
Shadow Star | Toshiaki Iino  | Planet  | No  | Yes  |  | [10]
Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch | Yoshitaka Fujimoto  | Actas
SynergySP | Yes  | Yes  |  | [11][12]
2004  | Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure | Yoshitaka Fujimoto  | Actas
SynergySP  | No  | Yes  |  | [13]
Tsuki wa Higashi ni Hi wa Nishi ni | Mitsuhiro Tōgō (chief)
Shōsei Jinno  | Radix | No  | Yes  |  | [14]
To Heart: Remember My Memories | Keitarō Motonaga  | OLM, Inc.
AIC ASTA | No  | Yes  |  | [15]
2005  | Gun Sword | Gorō Taniguchi | AIC ASTA  | No  | Yes  |  | [16]
Petopeto-san | Akira Nishimori | Xebec M2 | No  | Yes  |  | [17]
Paradise Kiss | Osamu Kobayashi | Madhouse  | No  | Yes  |  | [18]
2006  | Sugar Sugar Rune | Matsushita Yukihiro  | Pierrot | No  | Yes  |  | [19]
Amaenaide yo!! Katsu!! | Keitarō Motonaga  | Studio Deen | No  | Yes  |  | [20]
Tactical Roar | Yoshitaka Fujimoto  | Actas  | No  | Yes  |  | [21]
Love Get Chu: Miracle Seiyū Hakusho | Mitsuhiro Tōgō  | Radix  | Yes  | Yes  |  | [22][23]
Yume Tsukai | Kazuo Yamazaki  | Madhouse  | No  | No  | Assistant director  | [24]
Night Head Genesis | Yoshio Takeuchi  | Actas
Bee Media  | No  | Yes  |  | [25]
Tokimeki Memorial Only Love | Nobuhiro Takemoto  | AIC ASTA  | No  | Yes  |  | [26]
2007  | Hidamari Sketch | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief)
Ryouki Kamitsubo (chief) | Shaft | Yes  | Yes  |  | [2][27]
Kaze no Stigma | Junichi Sakata  | Gonzo | No  | Yes  |  | [28]
Nagasarete Airantō | Hideki Okamoto  | feel. | No  | Yes  |  | [29]
Ef: A Tale of Memories | Shin Oonuma | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  |  | [30]
2008  | Hidamari Sketch x 365 | Akiyuki Shinbo  | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  |  | [31][32]
Ef: A Tale of Melodies | Shin Oonuma  | Shaft  | No  | Yes  |  | [33]
2009  | Hidamari Sketch x 365 Specials | Akiyuki Shinbo  | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  |  | [34]
Natsu no Arashi! | Akiyuki Shinbo
Shin Oonuma (series) | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  |  | [35]
Maria Holic | Akiyuki Shinbo
Yukihiro Miyamoto (series) | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  |  | [36][37]
Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chū | Akiyuki Shinbo
Shin Oonuma (series, #1–7)
Kenichi Ishikura (series, #8–13) | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  | Ending director  | [3][38][39][40]
2010  | Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu | Akiyuki Shinbo
Kenichi Ishikura (series) | Shaft  | No  | Yes  |  | [4][41]
Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu Specials | Akiyuki Shinbo
Kenichi Ishikura (series) | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  |  | [42][43][44]
2011  | Infinite Stratos | Yasuhito Kikuchi  | Eight Bit | Yes  | No  |  | [45]
Shōwa Monogatari | Mitsuhiro Tōgō
Masahiro Murakami (series) | Wao World  | No  | Yes  | Assistant director (four episodes)  | [46][47]
Maria Holic Alive | Akiyuki Shinbo (chief)
Tomokazu Tokoro (series) | Shaft  | Yes  | Yes  | Assistant director
Opening director  | [48][49]
[50][51]
2013  | Da Capo III | Kenichi Ishikura  | Actas[c] | Yes  | No  | Series composition  | [52][53]
2014  | Sakura Trick | Kenichi Ishikura  | Studio Deen | Yes  | No  | Series composition  | [54][55]
2016  | Bakuon!! | Junji Nishimura | TMS Entertainment
8PAN  | Yes  | No  |  | [56]
2017  | Princess Principal | Masaki Tachibana  | 3Hz
Actas  | No  | Yes  |  | [57]
2018  | 100 Sleeping Princes and the Kingdom of Dreams | Yukina Hiiro  | Project No.9 | Yes  | No  |  | [58]
Hozuki's Coolheadedness | Kazuhiro Yoneda  | Studio Deen  | Yes  | No  |  | [59]
2020  | The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of the Gods | Susumu Nishizawa  | Studio Deen  | Yes  | No  |  | [60]
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen | Takayuki Hamana | Studio Deen  | Yes  | No  |  | [61]
Tamayomi | Toshinori Fukushima  | Studio A-Cat | Yes  | No  |  | [62]
2021  | Redo of Healer | Takuya Asaoka  | TNK | No  | Yes  |  | [63]
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Battle of Kimluck | Takayuki Hamana  | Studio Deen  | Yes  | No  |  | [64]
I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level | Nobukage Kimura  | Revoroot | Yes  | No  |  | [65]
2022  | My Isekai Life | Keisuke Kojima  | Revoroot  | Yes  | No  |  | [66]
2025  | I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic | Kenichi Ishikura  | Studio Deen
Marvy Jack  | TBA | TBA |  | [67]

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Director(s)  | Studio  | SB[a] | ED[b] | Other roles and notes  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2011  | Mahou Sensei Negima! Anime Finale | Akiyuki Shinbo | Shaft
Studio Pastoral  | Yes  | No  | Assistant director  | [68]
2015  | Ongaku Shōjo | Kenichi Ishikura  | Studio Deen |  |  |  | [69]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b Storyboard artist.
2. ^ a b Episode director, equivalent to unit director.
3. ^ Credited as Kazami Gakuen Kōshiki Dōga-bu (風見学園公式動画部名義).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 18, 23. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
2. ^ a b Hidamari Sketch (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 3, 9. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
3. ^ a b "夏のあらし! 春夏冬中[あきないちゅう]". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
4. ^ a b "ひだまり スケッチ × ☆☆☆[ほしみっつ]". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
5. ^ Invincible King Tri-Zenon (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 13. 制作進行 - 石倉賢一 [Assistant production manager - Kenichi Ishikura]
6. ^ Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 50. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
7. ^ Aquarian Age: Sign for Evolution (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 4. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
8. ^ Shrine of the Morning Mist (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 10–12. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
9. ^ L/R: Licensed by Royalty (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 7. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
10. ^ Shadow Star (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 3. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
11. ^ Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 16, 22, 27, 33, 43, 52. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
12. ^ Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 33, 52. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
13. ^ Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
14. ^ Tsuki wa Higashi ni Hi wa Nishi ni (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 5. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
15. ^ To Heart: Remember My Memories (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 12. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
16. ^ Gun Sword (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 12. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
17. ^ Petopeto-san (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 4. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
18. ^ Paradise Kiss (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 3, 5. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
19. ^ Sugar Sugar Rune (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 47. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
20. ^ Amaenaide yo!! Katsu!! (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 6, 11. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
21. ^ Tactical Roar (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 3. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
22. ^ Love Get Chu: Miracle Seiyū Hakusho (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 8, 25. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
23. ^ Love Get Chu: Miracle Seiyū Hakusho (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 25. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
24. ^ Yume Tsukai (in Japanese). Event occurs at opening credits. 助監督 - 石倉賢一 [Assistant director - Kenichi Ishikura]
25. ^ Night Head Genesis (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 6. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
26. ^ Tokimeki Memorial Only Love (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 2, 9. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
27. ^ Hidamari Sketch (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 9. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
28. ^ Kaze no Stigma (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 13. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
29. ^ Nagasarete Airantō (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 22. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
30. ^ Ef: A Tale of Memories (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 10. 絵コンテ / 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist / Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
31. ^ Hidamari Sketch x 365 (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 6. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
32. ^ Hidamari Sketch x 365 (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 6, 12. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
33. ^ Ef: A Tale of Melodies (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 9. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
34. ^ Hidamari Sketch x 365 Specials (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 2. 絵コンテ / 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist / Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
35. ^ Natsu no Arashi! (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 4, 8. 絵コンテ / 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist / Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
36. ^ Maria Holic (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 5. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
37. ^ Maria Holic (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 5, 9. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
38. ^ Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chū (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 8. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
39. ^ Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chū (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 2, 8, 13. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
40. ^ Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chū (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits list 3. EDディレクター - 石倉賢一 [ED Director - Kenichi Ishikura]
41. ^ Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 12. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
42. ^ Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu Specials (in Japanese). Event occurs at opening credits. 監督 - 石倉賢一 [Director - Kenichi Ishikura]
43. ^ Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu Specials (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura; episodes 1–2]
44. ^ Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu Specials (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 2. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
45. ^ Infinite Stratos (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 6. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
46. ^ Shōwa Monogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 1. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
47. ^ Shōwa Monogatari (in Japanese). Event occurs at opening credits, episodes 1–4. 助監督 - 石倉賢一 [Assistant director - Kenichi Ishikura]
48. ^ "Staff / Cast". Maria Holic Alive (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
49. ^ Maria Holic Alive (in Japanese). Event occurs at opening credits. OPディレクター - 石倉賢一 [OP Director - Kenichi Ishikura]
50. ^ Maria Holic Alive (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 1. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
51. ^ Maria Holic Alive (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 4, 10, 12. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
52. ^ "Staff & Cast". Da Capo III Official Site (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
53. ^ Da Capo III (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 13. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
54. ^ "Crunchyroll to Stream Sakura Trick Yuri Anime". Anime News Network. January 6, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
55. ^ Sakura Trick (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 1, 10. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
56. ^ Bakuon!! (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 5. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
57. ^ Princess Principal (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 11. 演出 - 石倉賢一 [Episode director - Kenichi Ishikura]
58. ^ 100 Sleeping Princes and the Kingdom of Dreams (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 11. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
59. ^ Hozuki's Coolheadedness (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 29. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
60. ^ The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of the Gods (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episode 14. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
61. ^ Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 6, 11. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
62. ^ Tamayomi (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 5, 10. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
63. ^ STORY - 第十話「回復術士は、可憐な一輪の花になる！」 [STORY - Episode 10 "The Healer Becomes a Single, Lovely Flower!"]. Redo of Healer (in Japanese). Retrieved March 17, 2021.
64. ^ Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Battle of Kimluck (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 3, 7. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
65. ^ I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits; episodes 3, 8. 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
66. ^ "Sutōrī | Terebi Anime Tensei Kenja no Isekai Raifu ~Daini no Shokugyō o Ete, Sekai Saikyō ni Narimashita~ Kōshiki Saito" STORY(ストーリー) | TVアニメ 転生賢者の異世界ライフ～第二の職業を得て、世界最強になりました～ 公式サイト [Story | TV Anime My Isekai Life: I Gained a Second Character Class and Became the Strongest Sage in the World! Official Website]. tenseikenja.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
67. ^ "'I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic' Anime's Teaser Video Reveals Main Cast, January 2025 Premiere". Anime News Network. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
68. ^ Mahou Sensei Negima! Anime Finale (in Japanese). Event occurs at ending credits. 副監督 / 絵コンテ - 石倉賢一 [Assistant director / Storyboard artist - Kenichi Ishikura]
69. ^ "Anime Mirai 2015 Casts, Stories Unveiled". Anime News Network. February 25, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Kenichi Ishikura at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
* Kenichi Ishikura at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Works directed by Kenichi Ishikura

Television series|

* Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chū (2009; #8–13)
* Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu (2010)
* Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu Specials (2010)
* Da Capo III (2013)
* Sakura Trick (2014)
* I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic (2025)

Films|

* Ongaku Shōjo (2015)

Related|

* Shaft

*[TBA]: To be announced
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