Mehdi Aouichaoui is a 2D animator, director, character designer, and storyboard artist whose work spans some of the best-known titles in contemporary animation, including Dragon Ball Super: Broly, My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, One Piece, Boruto, Ranking of Kings, and Star Wars: Visions.

Based in Tokyo, he has worked in the Japanese animation industry since 2016 across key animation, layout, character design, and visual development. He is also the founder of AZ Animation, an initiative focused on building stronger connections between Japanese creators and the international animation industry.

At SACC, Aouichaoui will share practical insight into drawing faces for animation in How to Draw Faces for Animation - Shapes and Volume, exploring the structure, form, and appeal that help bring animated characters to life.