Director Tsutomu Shibayama passed away from lung cancer - Photo: X
On March 17th, animation studio Ajiado officially announced that Doraemon director Tsutomu Shibayama passed away on March 6th after battling lung cancer.
His funeral was held privately by his family. A memorial service is expected to be announced at a later date.
Over 20 years of dedication to Doraemon
Born in 1941 in Asakusa (Tokyo, Japan), Shibayama Tsutomu graduated from Meiji University with a degree in literature, specializing in drama. He entered the animation industry in 1963, beginning a journey spanning over 60 years in the field of visual creation.
Before becoming synonymous with Doraemon , he participated in many projects such as Dokonjō Gaeru and Ganso Tensai Bakabon , thereby establishing his capabilities as an animation director.
Director Tsutomu Shibayama is the person behind the legendary early episodes of Doraemon - Photo: X
Shibayama Tsutomu is best known for directing the Doraemon series. He has been the principal director of the television adaptation since 1979, and has also directed over 20 feature films in the franchise over two decades.
His films range from Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle Under the Sea to Doraemon: Nobita in the Kingdom of Cats and Dogs (2004) - the last feature film he directed.
Alongside this, he also served as the general director of the anime television series Nintama Rantarō and directed many other famous works such as Chibi Maruko-chan, Moomin, Lupin III , and Kaiketsu Zorori . In 1978, he co-founded Ajiado Studios with his partner Osamu Kobayashi.
Doraemon: Nobita and the South Sea Adventure helped him win an award at the Mainichi Film Awards - Photo: IMDb
Throughout his career, Shibayama Tsutomu has received numerous professional accolades. In 1998, he was awarded a prize at the Mainichi Film Awards for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the South Sea Adventure .
In 2012, he was further honored with the Film Award from the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs. In 2018, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival.
According to an announcement from Ajiado, his funeral was held privately at the family's request. The company also stated that it will hold a memorial service in the near future and expressed gratitude to the public for their affection and support during his lifetime.
Doraemon: Nobita in the Kingdom of Cats and Dogs is one of the films that holds fond memories for many viewers - Photo: IMDb
News of Shibayama Tsutomu's passing quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing numerous messages of condolences from anime fans.
Many viewers expressed their sorrow and recalled memories associated with Doraemon , a series that has accompanied generations of audiences. Some believe that his works, especially the Doraemon films before 2005, will continue to be remembered as an important part of Japanese animation history.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dao-dien-doraemon-tsutomu-shibayama-qua-doi-20260317203403691.htm
Comment (0)