Sayo Yamamoto is a Japanese anime director and storyboard artist. She is known for directing the critically acclaimed anime series Michiko& Hatchin, Yuri!!! On Ice, and Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine. After graduating from the College of Art and Design in Tokyo, she began work at Studio Madhouse, where she had her directing debut at age 25. Fujiko Mine was awarded the "New Face" award from the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2012.