Matsumoto Norio is an influential and prolific action and character animator. He began his career after graduating from Tatsunoko's animators training program. He worked as an "inbetweener" for Oh! Productions (1987-89), mentored under Tomohiro Hirata and was influenced by Satoru Utsunomiya and Takashi Nakamura, for which he has adapted elements of their approach for a wider audience. His style employs soft and simplified drawings to make very fluid, realistic movements. Norio is perhaps best known for his work on the Naruto franchise, being the lead animator on Wakabayashi's episodes 30, 71, 133; and episode 167 of Shippuden.