For more than four decades, Yoshihiro Ueda has helped shape some of the most memorable scenes in Japanese animation.

An episode director and storyboard artist, Ueda has built an extraordinary career spanning 44 years and nearly 500 projects across anime series, feature films, video games, and commercials. His mastery of visual storytelling and ability to adapt to a wide variety of genres and styles have made him a highly respected figure within the Japanese animation industry.

His name is closely associated with some of the most iconic franchises in anime history. As an episode director, he worked on Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dr. Slump, helping define the pacing, action, and visual storytelling that made these series beloved by generations of fans.

A defining part of his career, however, has been his work as a storyboard artist. Over the years, Ueda has developed a distinctive visual language built on expressive compositions, seamless transitions, and meticulous planning, providing the foundation upon which entire animation teams bring stories to life.

His contribution to One Piece has been particularly significant. Ueda directed around 120 episodes of the series and created the storyboards for most of them. Among these, Episode 278, “Say You Want to Live! We Are Friends!!”, featuring Nico Robin, stands as one of the most emotional and iconic moments in the history of the series and remains a fan favourite around the world.

His career also includes work on other beloved franchises such as Dragon Quest and Zatch Bell!!, further demonstrating his versatility and deep understanding of every stage of the anime production process.

At San Diego Comic-Con Málaga 2026, you’ll have the opportunity to meet one of Japan’s leading episode directors and storyboard artists and discover how some of anime’s most unforgettable moments are brought to life.