Raito Nishizaka

Raito Nishizaka
西坂來人
Nishizaka at Tokyo Comic Con 2022
Born (1985-12-04) 4 December 1985
Fukushima, Japan
Other namesNishizaka Raito
OccupationDirector
Notable workAichaku
The Benza
Getting Dirty in Japan

Raito Nishizaka (西坂來人, Nishizaka Raito; born 4 December 1985) is a Japanese director and illustrator known for his work on the Japanese feature film Aichaku and the Japanese comedy series The Benza and travel documentary series Getting Dirty in Japan.

Early Life

Nishizaka was born in Fukushima, Japan. In order to escape domestic violence by his father, he spent the fifth and sixth grades at Soma Aiikuen, a children's home in Sōma, Fukushima Prefecture. During his stay at the orphanage, he was deeply affected by the stories of child abuse and the harsh situations many of the young people faced after leaving the orphanage. He was returned to his mother soon after he entered junior high school.[1]

Upon graduating high school, Nishizawa joined a newspaper scholarship program that allowed him to attend school while delivering newspapers. He used this scholarship to enter the directing course at Nikkatsu Art Academy, a film school in Tokyo.[2] While in school, he directed a short film, “Like Back Then,” which won the Excellence Award at the West Tokyo Film Festival.[3]

Career

After graduation, he worked as an art assistant for special effects films and TV programs before becoming a freelance film director and illustrator including several picture books.[4]

In 2014, he joined the Tokyo-based production company Tokyo Cowboys. In 2018, Nishizaka notably directed the short film version of the Amazon Prime Video comedy series The Benza that would go on to become the series' pilot episode.[5] He additionally directed the entire first series of The Benza as well as episodes of the second series and the spin-off series Benza English.[6] Nishizaka also directed several episodes of Tokyo Cowboy's 2023 travel documentary series Getting Dirty in Japan, which features several of the cast members and staff from The Benza including Janni Olsson and Christopher McCombs.[7]

In 2023, Nishizaka co-directed with frequent collaborator Michael Williams his first feature film, Aichaku, which was released on Amazon Prime Video in 2025.[8]

Nishizaka continues to work as an illustrator and has released several children's picture books as well as providing artwork for The Benza RPG, a retro-RPG spin-off of The Benza.[9][10]

Philanthropy

Affected by his time in foster care as a child, Nishizaka continues to promote issues surrounding the foster care system and child abuse in Japan through his work.

"Railroad Switch," a short film he produced and directed in 2018, depicts the story of several people who grew up in orphanages and issues they face with society.[11] "Mother and Daughter," a short film Nishizaka directed in 2025, also looks at the cycle of generational abuse. He also lectures about the importance of providing support for young people who have left foster care and those who cannot rely on their parents.

In 2019, he began producing a YouTube program called “The Three Flags” with Masako Yamamoto and Satoshi Brojan who also experienced growing up in orphanages. The point of "The Three Flags" is to continue to increase awareness about social issues surrounding the foster care system in Japan as well as other social issues focusing on children. [12][13]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Notes Ref
2019 The Benza Series 1 [14]
2020 Benza English Co-directed with Michael Williams
2022 The Benza Series 2 Episodes 1, 2, 6, 7
2023 Getting Dirty in Japan Series 1 Episodes 1, 2, 5
2025 Getting Dirty in Japan Series 2 Co-directed with Michael Williams

Short Films

Year Title Notes Ref
2018 Railroad Switch
2025 Mother and Daughter [15]

Feature Films

Year Title Notes Ref
2018 The Wheel Omnibus film, directed "The Sister" [16]
2024 Aichaku Co-directed with Michael Williams [17]

Video Games

Year Title Notes Ref
2022 The Benza RPG Opening scene

Illustration

Video Games

Year Title Notes Ref
2022 The Benza RPG Monster Design, Battle Sprites

References

  1. ^ "【「今より一歩でも前に進みたい」そう願うことも、立派な夢。児童養護施設での生活を経験した西坂來人さんが伝えたいこと". 27 November 2019.
  2. ^ "特撮好きだった少年が、「社会的養護」をテーマに映画を作るまで". Forbes. 2018-09-09.
  3. ^ "西東京市民映画祭2025自主制作映画コンペティション作品募集".
  4. ^ "【2019年7月31日】自分だけの物語 相馬愛育園".
  5. ^ "The Benza - A Comedy about a Quest for a Toilet Seat". 15 August 2019.
  6. ^ "日本発、低予算のインディー作品ながら世界各国で賞を総ナメ！ 世界を爆笑させたコメディドラマが120カ国で配信決定！』". 3 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Getting Dirty in Japan". 3 July 2023.
  8. ^ "【試写会レポ】日本の片田舎で紡がれる愛しいラブ…長編ゲイ映画『Aichaku 愛着』".
  9. ^ "【児童養護施設出身の映像・絵本作家】 過去の経験をもとに生きやすい社会を目指す男性に迫る". 21 April 2025.
  10. ^ "The Benza Transformed Into A Free-to-Play Retro RPG". 7 October 2020.
  11. ^ "特撮好きだった少年が、「社会的養護」をテーマに映画を作るまで』".
  12. ^ "（フロントランナー）児童養護施設出身の３人組・ＴＨＥ ＴＨＲＥＥ ＦＬＡＧＳ". 14 January 2023.
  13. ^ "居場所のない子へ「ひとりじゃない」 児童養護施設出身の3人の思い". 8 January 2023.
  14. ^ ""壊れた便座"巡る日本発のコメディ「The Benza」韓国の国際映画祭で2冠".
  15. ^ "【岡谷市出身の俳優・細谷さん、亡き母の「葛藤」短編映画に 主人公役・企画・プロデュースも 「皆で子育てできる社会」願う". 18 December 2024.
  16. ^ "日本のグラビアアイドルが、国際映画祭で最優秀助演女優賞を受賞!?".
  17. ^ "【試写会レポ】日本の片田舎で紡がれる愛しいラブ...長編ゲイ映画『Aichaku 愛着』".
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