Okiura's early life took an unconventional turn when he left high school at the tender age of 16 to pursue a career in the animation industry. He joined the esteemed studio Anime R, where he had the privilege of studying under the guidance of the renowned Moriyasu Taniguchi, who not only mentored him but also oversaw his development as an animator.
As he honed his craft, Okiura gained recognition for his meticulous attention to detail in effects animation, particularly in the iconic chopper attack scene from Patlabor 2: The Movie. His expertise in this area continued to impress, as evidenced by his highly realistic character animation in the opening credits of Cowboy Bebop: The Movie and various productions from Production I.G.
After years of refining his skills, Okiura made his directorial debut with Jin-Roh, a film that culminated in 1998 and went on to receive the prestigious Minami Toshiko Award at the 11th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in February 2000.
A decade and a half later, Okiura returned to the director's chair with A Letter to Momo, a feature film that he both wrote and directed. The film premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, marking a triumphant return to the big screen after an 11-year hiatus. The film's development had spanned seven years, a testament to Okiura's dedication to his craft and his unwavering passion for storytelling.
