Born in 1990 in Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture, Yoko Kuno studied at Tama Art University, where her graduation film Airy Me garnered widespread acclaim and multiple prestigious awards. Her work quickly stood out on both the national and international festival circuit for its technical mastery and deeply emotional storytelling.
Yoko has contributed to some of the most iconic productions of the past decade, including character design for Alien Shiriri from the beloved Crayon Shin-chan film series, and key animation for Crayon Shin-chan: Kung-Fu Boys – Ramen Scramble. She also directed episodes of the acclaimed series Land of the Lustrous, and served as animation director on Shunji Iwai’s The Case of Hana and Alice.
In 2024, she released her first feature film, Ghost Cat Anzu, to strong critical praise and a selection at the Cannes film festival. Her ability to build rich, dreamlike worlds has earned her international recognition as a leading voice in contemporary animation.
She also brings her unparalleled storytelling skills to the world of advertising, crafting whimsical, poetic, and emotionally resonant campaigns for prestigious brands.