I'm just gonna collect here some people who've done cool stuff in the anime/manga industry. This list is going grow the more I watch
Key Animator, Character Designer, Director
He started as a character designer and animation director on Megazone 23, though his more characteristics designs came later: girls with round faces/big eyes and creepy "macho" men. He animated dynamic action and surprisingly clean blood splatters. Despite some questionnable elements added, he directed 2 very stylish action flicks. In more recent years, he's only worked on OPs & EDs and bland-looking TV series, maybe we'll get to see another cool OVA from him someday.
Standout Works:A Kite & Mezzo Forte