Personal details
Born:
- Born Place: Kochi, Japan
Also Known As:
刈谷 仁美
Hitomi Kariya
Hitomi Kariya (born 1996 in Kochi, Japan) is a highly acclaimed Japanese animator and director who rose to prominence as a breakout talent in the late 2010s. A fourth-term resident of the New Animator Dormitory Project, she gained significant industry recognition by winning the 6th Annual New Animator Grand Prix. Her career reached a major milestone in 2019 when she was appointed as the director, key animator, and character designer for the animated opening title sequence of the 100th NHK Asadora (morning drama), Natsuzora. This role was particularly symbolic, as the drama itself followed the life of a female animator in the early days of the Japanese animation industry. Kariya is known for her versatile skills in direction, character design, and color setting. Her filmography includes key animation for high-profile projects such as Chainsaw Man (specifically the second ending sequence), Spy x Family, Children of the Sea, and Drifting Home. She has also contributed to the Pokémon: Twilight Wings series and the POKÉTOON shorts as an art designer and animation director. More recently, she directed and designed the ending credits for the 2024 revival of Urusei Yatsura. Often collaborating with Studio Colorido, her work is celebrated for its fluid movement and distinct, expressive aesthetic.
