Mari Asato: Japanese Film Director and Screenwriter

Mari Asato (安里麻里) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter born on March 14, 1976, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. She has established a prominent career in Japanese cinema and television, working extensively within the horror, thriller, and drama genres.

Early Career and Acting Roles

Before transitioning primarily to directing and screenwriting, Asato appeared in several Japanese films in acting roles during the early 2000s. Her early acting credits include Gips (2001), Sodom the Killer (2004), and 'Cho' kowai hanashi the movie: yami no eigasai (2005).

Directing and Screenwriting Career

Asato has directed numerous feature films, frequently contributing as a screenwriter. Her notable directorial credits in film include The Boy from Hell (2004), Ju-on: Black Ghost (2009), Bilocation (2014), Fatal Frame (2014), Hyouka: Forbidden Secrets (2017), and Under Your Bed (2019). She also directed entries in major franchise series such as The Chasing World sequels (parts 3, 4, and 5 in 2012).

In addition to her feature film work, Asato has directed and written for television drama series. Her television credits include directing I"s (2018–2019), All But Divorced (2021), Muddy Dining Table (2023), From the Dust (2024), and It Is My Husband (2026). As a screenwriter, she has also contributed scripts to projects such as X Game (2010), Sayuri (2024), and the Disney+ series Land of Tanabata (2024).