Japanese illustrator and animator Mutsumi Inomata has passed away on March 10, 2024 at age 63. A cause of death was not shared.
Inomata is best known as one of the main character designer on a number of Bandai Namco's Tales of series. Her past works includeTales of Destiny, Tales of Eternia, Tales of Destiny 2, Tales of Rebirth, Tales of the Tempest, Tales of Innocence, Tales of Hearts, Tales of Graces, Tales of Xillia, Tales of Xillia 2, Tales of Zestiria, Tales of Berseria, and Tales of Crestoria.
Within anime, Inomata worked as an animator at Ashi Production from 1979 until 1982, when she and some animators from Ashi Production left the company and founded Kaname Production. There, she worked as character designer and animator on such anime as Acrobunch - The Quest for Treasure, Plawres Sanshiro, Leda - The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko, Once Upon a Time, and Watt Poe to Bokura no Ohanashi, among others. In her later freelance career, she drew character designs for such anime as Future GPX Cyber Formula, Saitama Bōsō Saizensen Flag! Shinimonogurui no Seishun!!, and Brain Powerd. She also drew the illustrations for the Utsunomiko and The Weathering Continent novel series, both of which later inspired anime adaptations.
«Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness. Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.
I was extremely saddened to learn that suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma passed away yesterday, December 16, from a bout of pneumonia.
Satsuma-san was apprentice and friend to original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima. Satsuma-san's first suit role was as the Smog Monster, Hedorah, battling his sensei as Godzilla, in Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971).
Satsuma-san went on to play the space kaiju Gigan in the next two films in the series, Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) and Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973).
Nakajima-san retired from the role of Godzilla in 1972. When the Godzilla series was revived in 1984 with The Return of Godzilla (aka Godzilla 1985) the role went to his former apprentice, Satsuma-san.
Satsuma-san played Godzilla throughout the entire Heisei series, ending with Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995), when Toho retired the Big G a second time.
Satsuma-san brought an animalistic fierceness to Godzilla that made the king of the monsters truly terrifying and unpredictable. Gone was the super heroic, somewhat goofy Godzilla of the 1970s, and returned was the menace of the original Godzilla/Gojira (1954).
I had the honor to meet Satsuma-san, and other Toho luminaries, in 2015 during G-Tour 3. He was very polite, gracious and humble, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He was a delight to speak with, and I will always remember that visit as one of the highlights of the tour.
Famed manga creator Akira Toriyama has passed away on March 1, 2024 at age 68 due to acute subdural hematoma.
Toriyama began his first serialized manga, Dr. Slump, in 1980, and it inspired two television anime and multiple films. Toriyama followed it up with Dragon Ball, which ran from 1984 to 1995, and is still inspiring manga and anime sequels and spinoffs today. The manga's Dragon Ball anime adaptation, its sequel Dragon Ball Z, and its other numerous sequels and anime films are equally as well-known as the manga, and its hero Goku has become a character known throughout the world.
Toriyama is also well-known as the character designer for the Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, Blue Dragon and Tobal games.
Most recently, Toriyama was working closely with the production for the Dragon Ball Daima anime series, the most recent anime series based on Dragon Ball, and is credited for the new anime's story and character designs.
“This caused controversy” is an incredible understatement.
O’Connor was ahead of her time and consistently spoke out on issues related to child abuse, human rights, anti-racism, organized religion, social injustice, mental illnesses, and women's rights. But in specifically calling out the Catholic Church for its systemic culture of covering up child sexual abuse and protecting abuser priests, her career was effectively derailed by the media.
She unflinchingly spoke truth to power.
“I don't do anything in order to cause trouble. It just so happens that what I do naturally causes trouble. I'm proud to be a troublemaker.” —Sinead O’Connor