Yuji Nunokawa, the esteemed founder of Studio Pierrot, a renowned name in the animation industry, passed away unexpectedly on December 25 at the age of 75. His death was confirmed through various Japanese media outlets and an official statement on the studio's Twitter account. The statement emphasized that Nunokawa’s leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm for animation will be deeply missed by many.

Born on February 11, 1947, in Sakata City, Yamanashi, Nunokawa grew up in a family of tailors, which influenced his early appreciation for creativity. From a young age, he exhibited a passion for drawing. Encouraged by his high school art club advisor, he pursued formal education in the arts at the Nippon Design Welfare College in Tokyo, graduating in 1967.

Nunokawa embarked on his professional journey in the anime industry as a colorist at a subcontractor for TCJ, which is now known as Eiken. His career advanced as he took on various roles, first working as an animator on TCJ’s “Space Boy Soran” between 1965 and 1967. He then became a key animator on the series “Robotan” for TMS from 1966 to 1968. Additionally, he contributed his talents as a freelancer on multiple projects for Osamu Tezuka’s Mushi Productions and Tsuburaya Enterprises.

As the landscape of anime began to shift with the decline of Mushi Productions, which declared bankruptcy in 1973, Nunokawa received offers to join other studios, including Soeisha (now Bandai Namco Filmworks) and Sunrise. However, he chose to work with Hiroshi Sasagawa at Tatsunoko Productions in 1971, where he initially took on the role of character designer. His talent quickly earned him the director's position for the “Time Bokan!” series from 1975 to 1976, followed by directing for “Yatterman” (1977-79) and “Gatchaman II” (1978-79).

Following the death of Tatsunoko's founder, Tatsuo Yoshida, in 1978, Nunokawa left the studio. He, along with animation directors Mitsuo Kainashi and Hiroko Tokita, established an animation collective from an apartment in Kichijoji. This collective evolved into Studio Pierrot, with Nunokawa at the helm as its founding president. The studio aimed to create artist-driven animation while adhering to reasonable production schedules, a vision that set it apart in the industry.

Under Nunokawa's leadership, Studio Pierrot gained fame for producing numerous beloved anime series. His influence can be seen in iconic titles such as the original “Urusei Yatsura” series (1981), “Creamy Mami” (1983-84), “Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-94), “Naruto” (2002-07), “Tokyo Mew Mew” (2002-03), and “Bleach” (2004-12). His role extended to serving as a producer and executive producer for several films within the “Naruto” and “Bleach” franchises.

In 2012, Nunokawa was promoted to Chairman and Representative Director of Studio Pierrot, later becoming a Supreme Advisor to the studio's board. His commitment to the anime industry extended beyond production; he was instrumental in founding the Association of Japanese Animations, which runs the Suginami Animation Museum, organizes the Anime Japan convention with support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and publishes an annual report on the industry's state. He served as Vice Chairman and later as Chairman from 2009 to 2014.

In addition to his production work, Nunokawa co-founded NUROANI Juku, an animation school designed to educate the next generation of producers, planners, directors, and animators. He remained actively involved in teaching at the academy until his passing, reflecting his dedication to nurturing talent within the industry.

Nunokawa's significant contributions and unwavering commitment to the world of anime were recognized in 2018 when he received the esteemed Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award, along with the Blue Ribbon Medal of Honor from the Japanese government, one of the highest accolades bestowed in the nation.

His legacy will be honored with a private funeral attended by family and close friends, and a celebration is planned by Studio Pierrot at a later date.

Yuji Nunokawa's impact on the anime industry is immeasurable. His pioneering spirit and commitment to artist-driven animation have left an indelible mark on the landscape of Japanese animation. Through his work, he not only shaped the stories that captivated audiences around the world but also fostered an environment where creativity and talent could thrive. The characters and narratives he helped bring to life continue to resonate with fans, ensuring that his contributions to the art form will be remembered for generations to come.