Masako Sato Joins Guest List for Otakon 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 20, 2026) – Masako Sato will be a guest at Otakon 2026, according to Otakorp Inc. An animation director and episode director with extensive experience in both television and theatrical productions, she has served in a wide range of roles from episode direction to series director. She is the director of "Trigun Stargaze."

Sato began her career at Studio Ghibli as an animator, working as an in-betweener on "Spirited Away"; key animator on "Tales from Earthsea" and "Ponyo"; and storyboard assistant on "The Tale of Princess Kaguya." She later became a freelancer and moved into directing. Her notable works include "Haikyu!! To The Top."

In television series, she has handled opening and ending sequences, storyboards, and episode direction formany titles, including "The Apothecary Diaries," "Chiikawa," "Welcome to the Ballroom," "Dance Dance Danseur," and "Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night."

Otakon will be held from July 31 to August 2 in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

ABOUT OTAKON AND OTAKORP, INC.: Now entering its thirty-second year, Otakon is an annual celebration of Japanese and East Asian popular culture, and also one of the largest gatherings of fans in the United States. Otakon celebrates popular culture as a gateway to deeper understanding of Asian culture, and has grown along with the enthusiasm for anime, manga, video games, and music from the Far East. Historically, Otakon has drawn over 40,000 people for three days each year (for a paid attendance of over 100,000 turnstile attendees). Otakon is a membership-based convention sponsored by Otakorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania- based, 501(c)3 educational non-profit whose mission is to promote the appreciation of Asian culture, primarily through its media and entertainment. Otakorp, Inc. is directed by an all-volunteer, unpaid staff – we are run by fans, for fans.

For more information about Otakorp, Inc., see https://www.otakorp.org/
For more information and the latest news on Otakon 2026, see https://www.Otakon.com/