Takeshi Koike

Takeshi Koike (小池健 Koike Takeshi?) (born January 26, 1968) is a Japanese studio animator, illustrator and film director. Something of a protégée of Yoshiaki Kawajiri, he went straight from a high school education to beginning his career at Madhouse as an in-betweener on works directed by Kawajiri after being interviewed by him. His first professional work as director is the title sequence of the 2000 film Party 7; while his first feature film is REDLINE, which premiered in 2009 and was released in 2010. Work outside of animation includes the artwork for the 2004 Dreams Come True single "Yasashii Kiss o Shite".

He joined Madhouse after graduation from high school. He participated in many famous works directed by Yoshiaki Kwajiri including "Wicked City"(1987) and "Ninja Scroll "(1993). Entering the 21st century, he first directed "Grasshoppa!" during 2001 and 2002.Later on, his work "Matrix (World Record)" released in 2003 has won a great deal of attention worldwide.
It features bold and unique color, character design and composition.

- "REDLINE"
It took 7 years to make "Redline" which includes 100,000 handmade drawings. In current age when CG making becomes mainstream, the spectacular anime film is still dedicated to handmade drawings even for the background.
The director is Takeshi Koike, who is known to the world by "Matrix (World Record)". The original writer Katsuhito Ishii is well-known for "The Taste of Tea" and "Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl". Recognized by Quentin Tarantino, Mr. Ishii has also collaborated with Production I.G for Quentin's Kill Bill Vol. 1.
Producer Madhouse has made many famous films before, such as "Paprika", "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time"and "Summer Wars". The main voice cast includes Takuya Kimura(JP), Yu Aoi (Sonoshee who JP falls in love with) and Tadanobu Asano(JP's longtime buddy Frisbee--a talented mechanic).