Anime Director Dezaki Osamu Passes Away

by dtshyk
Apr 17, 2011 7:20 PM | 72 Comments

According to Sankei News, anime director Dezaki Osamu passed away on April 17th due to lung cancer. He was 67 years old.

Dezaki entered Mushi Productions in 1963 and was selected as a chief animator after only three months. He first directed Ashita no Joe when he was 26 and established a unique art style later called "Dezaki Enshutsu (Dezaki Direction)", which has been carried on in contemporary anime. He founded Madhouse Studios in 1972 with his colleagues from Mushi Productions.

Imaishi Hiroyuki (his tweet)
"Dezaki-san, I pray your soul may rest in peace. I've been under your influence and will have been."

Kawasaki Itsuro (his tweet)
"I was surprised to realize that I've been affected by Dezaki Enshutsu more than I think. Every director in my generation has tried to mimic Dezaki Enshutsu only to find ours were uncool."

Kobayashi Osamu (his tweet)
"I love Gamba no Bouken, Takarajima, Ace wo Nerae, Ashita no Joe, Space Adventure Cobra. May he rest in peace. When I met him, I couldn't speak to him at all. I wish I had had a chance to talk with him about many things."

Kamiyama Kenji (his tweet)
"He was a great director who had created lots of masterpieces. I had few opportunities to work with him, but his works had influenced me very much. With deep gratitude, I pray his soul may rest in peace."

Source: Sanki

20 of 72 Comments Recent Comments

He did a great job on Black Jack, Versailles No Bara, Onii Sama and many other classic old school anime. He'll be missed and remembered. RIP

Apr 21, 2011 6:51 AM by RenaPsychoKiller

May you rest in peace, Osmau-san. I thank you form the bottam of heart for founding Madhouse and directing the masterpiece that is Rose of Versailles. I will watch Ashita no Joe in your honor.

Apr 20, 2011 11:13 PM by Zarmyn

May your soul rest in peace.

Apr 20, 2011 2:12 PM by FromHenceforthOn

No way Q_Q Wasn't there just recently news about someone else who worked for Mushi Productions and died? >_<

dtshyk said:
He first directed Ashita no Joe when he was 26

O_O He was involved in the creation of Ashita no Joe - and at such a young age, too! *awestruck* Makes me want to watch it as soon as possible.

Rest in peace...

Apr 20, 2011 2:11 PM by Face_Faith

R.I.P. good sir.

*salutes*

Apr 19, 2011 10:22 PM by ChronosXIII

RIP :(

Apr 19, 2011 9:48 PM by CalamityMeg

Great man, we shall never forget what you have done for the anime industry.

R.I.P.

Apr 19, 2011 9:40 AM by Nyanta77

Such a shame there... Rose of Versailles was a masterpiece, and Madhouse has produced some great anime. RIP, you'll be missed.

Apr 19, 2011 6:28 AM by removed-user

R.I.P Dezaki Osamu

Really good anime and founder of MADHouse. Man that deserves some medals.

Apr 18, 2011 8:10 PM by Zammyfighter

Now it's Osamu??? Damn, they're going away fast T T

R.I.P.

Apr 18, 2011 7:33 PM by vault2049

Well another legend passes away.
Rest in Peace.

Apr 18, 2011 7:31 PM by Meshedi

R.I.P ♥

Apr 18, 2011 5:16 PM by the_bici

jix said:
wow a founder of MADHouse, respect to the old man, RIP

x2. I credit him for Madhouse since it produced Black Lagoon and Tenjou Tenge. =(

Apr 18, 2011 4:29 PM by TerrorH3ctor

Wow. Very sad news. RIP, and thanks for all you've done. Respect!

Apr 18, 2011 2:15 PM by midnighteternal

The anime world as we know it, wouldn't be the same without him. Amazing artist.

Your soul will live through your Masterpieces!

Apr 18, 2011 12:43 PM by RobdeFR

This is terrible news.

RIP

Apr 18, 2011 12:02 PM by Noontide

Vaya con dios, Senior.

Apr 18, 2011 10:39 AM by Nasty001

RIP.

Apr 18, 2011 9:49 AM by sankar

only one thing i can say RIP man

Apr 18, 2011 8:53 AM by Mr_Gutts

DoubleDango said:
Who is this? Not to offend anyone.

He is the founder of Madhouse Studios, the studio which animated Death Note, NANA, Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo, all of Satoshi Kon's work as director, and most of Maasaki Yuasa's work (Mind Game is the major exception here) too.

He is also a director of many classic old-school anime.

Apr 18, 2011 8:18 AM by Rosa_FOEtida

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