Gouda, Hiroaki

Hiroaki Gouda is anime director and character designer, best for directing "Ah My Goddess".

Hiroaki Gouda got into the industry when he was in high school, as part time animator. Hiroaki Gouda joined Anime International Company (AIC) around the 1980's. In 1993, he made his director debut with "Ah My Goddess (OVA)". Originally the sponsors of the OVA were against AIC adapting it, but after Kōsuke Fujishima (Author of "Ah My Goddess") watched "Bubblegum Crisis" episode 8 (Directed by Hiroaki Gouda), he advocated for AIC and Gouda to adapt it. In 2002, he was the character designer for "Onegai ☆ Teacher". In 2004, he directed the TV remake of "Ah My Goddess" at AIC/AIC Digital. In 2010, he was the character designer for "Amagami SS". In 2012, he was the character designer for "Love Election And Chocolate". In 2015, he founded Will Palettte with Naoto Kasahara. In 2018, Will Palettte merged with TROYCA, a studio founded by former AIC employess.