The liquid crystal optical element and the image device

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal optical element that has an optical characteristic further improved, and to provide an image device that includes the liquid crystal optical element.SOLUTION: A liquid crystal optical element 1 comprises a first substrate 12, a second substrate 22, a first electrode 14, an opposite electrode 24, a liquid crystal layer 30, a first orientation film 18 and a second orientation film 26. The first substrate 12 has a first principal surface, and the second substrate 22 has a second principal surface. The first electrode 14 is plurally provided in one part of the first principal surface, and the opposite electrode 24 is provided in the second principal surface, and one part of the opposite electrode 24 faces the first electrode 14. The liquid crystal layer 30 is sandwichedly held between the first principal surface and the second principal surface, and the first orientation film 18 is provided between the first substrate 12 and the liquid crystal layer 30 to cause a liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer 30 to be horizontally oriented. The second orientation film 26 is provided between the second substrate 22 and the liquid crystal layer 30 to cause the liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer 30 to be horizontally oriented. Orientation regulation force of the first orientation film 18 is configured to be weaker than that of the second orientation film 26.