Anthony Yano Hays is a bilingual Japanese American multidisciplinary director based between Tokyo and Los Angeles, recently relocated more fully to Tokyo. He won New Director of the Year (Gold) at the 2025 shots Awards Asia Pacific for commercial work including Jägermeister’s “Awakening” and Crocs’ “Ridiculously Cool From Head To Toe” (Crocs x Beams). His path ran through music-video sets shadowing Anthony Mandler and a stint as VFX coordinator at Apatow Productions on Universal comedy features before he began directing in Japan. He treats brand commissions as short films with purpose and voice, keeping craft playful—including practical set pieces such as human-flesh props on the Jägermeister film. Recent work spans an unhinged, dialogue-driven long-form Jägermeister narrative (Powered By Tokyo) with dark spotlight-and-strobe imagery and practical/VFX effects; a stylized Crocs x Beams fashion-footwear spot (Cekai / Shokupan Inc) with quick cuts, motion graphics, and edgy product staging; a Google Pixel design film; and an intimate documentary-leaning Nike portrait of footballer Shiho Shimoyamada, a Berlin Commercial 2024 shortlist and one of his first Japan-directed projects. He self-edits key spots. Currently unrostered / freelance — bookable direct via anthonyyanohays.com.