The present invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging method which improve the imaging efficiency. A preview scan initiator unit is provided for initiating a preview scan for scanning the slice position set prior to performing the actual imaging scan. Based on the magnetic resonance signals from the subject obtained by the review scan initiated by the preview scan initiator unit, the preview image for the slice position set by the slice position setting unit is generated to display on the display screen by the display unit.