Trivia

Known for his use of Anamorphic Wide Screen, in his Anime. Also well known for his style of directing, often doing tight close up shots of characters. Same style was used in .hack//SIGN. He's also known for brining a dark tone to his Anime

Frequently works with composer Yuki Kajiura.

As the only regular on-staff director at anime studio Bee Train, he is responsible for bringing all of the series and shows the company is commissioned to produce to life. Since Bee Train is a relatively small studio, Mr. Kôichi also often supervises and lends a hand to more production oriented tasks such as storyboard drawing and sound direction. Thus, all of the Bee Train projects are very much influenced by his vision and the hard work he puts into all of his shows.

Once remarked that he'd like to have personally met the photographers Richard Avedon, Jeanloup Sieff, and Helmut Newton and film directors John Ford and Alfred Hitchcock. However, by the time the interview has been published, four of these were already dead and Avedon died later that year.

As of 2006 his Company Bee Train became independent from its parent, Production I.G.

Studied jurisprudence at Sophia University in Tokyo.

One of his favorite animated shows is "Tom and Jerry" (1965).

A member of the Directors Guild of Japan.

Offered a chance to direct an episode for Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995).

Finalizing preparations for the second season of Tsubasa Chronicle (2005), which is set to start airing in April. (February 2006)