Art director of My Hero Academia, Overlord, Gundam Seed, Afro Samurai, GANTZ is 69 years old
Kodoani.com – Studio GONZO confirmed on October 26 that the talented art director Shigemi Ikeda passed away on October 13, at the age of 69. The announcement was posted by Ikeda's family on his X (Twitter) account, stating that the funeral will take place privately, only for close members.
Ikeda is one of the top art directors in the anime industry, distinguished by awards Primetime Emmy for “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation” in 2009 for Spike TV and GONZO's Afro Samurai: Resurrection. His illustrious career has made a profound impression through a series of famous works such as Afro Samurai, Bastard!!, Gantz, Inuyasha, and other film series. Mobile Suit Gundam (including Gundam Seed, The Origin, UC, and the recent Seed FREEDOM).
In addition, Ikeda is also the founder and representative art studio Atelier Musafounded in August 1986, contributes to creating artistic masterpieces and promoting the development of the Japanese anime industry. His passing is a great loss to the animation industry and the fan community around the world.
