Horikoshi Jirou(22 June 1903 – 11 January 1982) was the main designer of several Japanese war planes, among them the MitsubishiA5Mand its successor, the legendary MitsubishiA6M Zero; both aircraft were used by the Empire ofJapanduringWorld War II. Horikoshi was also involved in the design of the Zero's intended successors: the MitsubishiA7M Reppuucarrier fighter and the land-based MitsubishiJ2M Raideninterceptor. He graduated from (and later became professor in) theUniversity of Tokyobefore joining Mitsubishi. He is also the main subject and main protagonist of the 2013 anime filmKaze Tachinu(The Wind Rises). He is voiced byAnno Hideaki(JP) andJoseph Gordon-Levitt(EN).