Mai Shirai (She/Her)
Storyboard Artist
Animator
Mai Shirai is a Japanese-American animator, storyboard artist, and visual storyteller with a passion for creating emotionally resonant characters and worlds. Throughout her career, she has contributed to a wide range of animated projects, bringing a strong foundation in character acting, visual development, and cinematic storytelling to every production.
Mai served as an animator on the award-winning animated short film Odd Dog (2019), where her expressive character work helped bring the film’s heartfelt story to life. She later joined the creative team behind Oren’s Way (2023) as a story artist, helping shape the film’s narrative through compelling visual storytelling. Oren’s Way went on to become Oscar-qualified in 2025.
Known for her thoughtful approach to character-driven stories and collaborative spirit, Mai enjoys exploring the intersection of emotion, humor, and visual narrative. She is passionate about supporting independent animation and helping create meaningful stories that connect with audiences around the world.
