Yutsuko Chusonji Dies (2005-01-31 23:05:49)
Mangaka Yutsuko Chusonji died today of colon cancer. She was 42 years old. Chusonji, whose real name was Yukiko Kobayashi, is famous for her depictions of the "oyaji gal," working women who took up past times previously reserved for successful men, in manga such as Sweet Spot. Source: Kyodo News
Devilman Director Dies (2005-02-28 01:04:40)
Hiroyuki Nasu, the director of last year's Devilman (live-action movie), died on the 27th in a Tokyo hospital of liver cancer. He was 53 years old. Source: Y! Japan [ discuss (2 posts) ]
Takashi Wada Dead at 39 (2005-03-08 16:01:22)
Takashi Wada, an animator at JC staff, died on March 5th of acute heart disease, he was 39 years old. Wada's credits include animation director for Azumanga Daioh and The Melody of Oblivion. Source: ANS [ discuss (18 posts) ]
Shinji Nagashima Dies (2005-07-09 02:01:30)
Shinji Nagashima died of heart failure in a Tokyo hospital on June 10 of heart failure at the age of 67. Source: Manga News
Manga-ka Hinako Sugiura Dies (2005-07-25 14:22:06)
posted on 2005-07-25 14:22:06
source: Yahoo News Japan
Manga artist Hinako Sugiura passed away on July 22nd of Cancer.Manga artist Hinako Sugiura passed away on July 22nd at the Chiba prefecture hospital in Kashiwa city. She died of hypopharyngeal cancer at 46 years old. Sugiura made her manga debut in 1980 in the experimental magazine Garo, and won the Japan Cartoonists' Association Award in 1984 and the Bunshun Manga Award in 1988. In 1993 she retired from creating manga to focus on writing and speaking about Japan's Edo period (her manga were set in the Edo period).
Daikichirou Kusube Dies (2005-09-02 10:59:01)
Animator Daikichirou Kusube, president and founder of Shin'ei Doga, died on August 27th at the age of 70. Kusube was best known as the animation director for Obake no Q-Taro and numerous Doraemon movies. His funeral was held today. Source: Anido
Hiro Takahashi Dies (2005-11-12 16:28:42)
Musician Hiro Takahashi dies on November 4th of multiple organ failure due to complications arising from a tumor. He was 41. Takahashi is best known for theme music to Bottle Fairy, Yu Yu Hakusho, as well as a significant amount of insert and promotional music for Digimon. Source: ANS
Minako Honda Dies (2005-11-08 14:40:05)
Minako Honda, known best known for her portrayal of the role of "Kim" in Miss Saigon, but also known for several anime theme songs and a Japanese pop-music career, died on Sunday morning of acute myelocytic leukemia at a Tokyo hospital. She was 38. Thanks to Richard for this item.
Takeo Yamashita Passes Away (2005-11-24 19:04:17)
Takeo Yamashita, the composer of the music of the first Lupin III TV series, passed away at the age of 75 on November 21st. Cause of death was cerebral thrombosis. Thanks to Vitruvius for this item.
Souichiro Kawabata Dies (2005-11-29 12:41:24)
Souichiro Kawabata, manga-ka of S60 Children, passed away of cancer on November 22nd. He was 31. S60 Children ended its run in the August 9 issue of Evening Magazine Source: Manga News
Of the 10 people listed, 8 of them were under the age of 60 and 7 were under the age of 50
I just found that situation really depressing, though maybe to be expected in a country were smoking cigerettes seems to be a popular past time.
