Doraemon director died
Doraemon Director Tsutomu Shibayama Dies At 84, Tributes Pour In From Fans : Renowned Japanese anime director Tsutomu Shibayama, best known for directing many, including Doraemon TV anime episodes, has reportedly died at the age of 84. His death was announced by Ajia-do Animation Works on March 17, 2026. Let’s delve in to know the main reason behind his death.
What is the main reason for Tsutomu Shibayama’s death? condolences pour in
In its official statement, the studio said, “Shibayama Tsutomu, the animation director who oversaw the Doraemon series for over 20 years, died on the 6th from lung ca
Former CEO Tsutomu Shibayama passed away on March 6th. Shibayama worked tirelessly as a director for Doraemon’s TV animation and movies for over 20 years. He also served as the general director of the TV animation Nintama Rantaro. We are grateful to him for the contributions he made during his lifetime. We announce this sad news out of respect for him.’
Tsutomu Shibayama’s career and early life
Incidentally, Tsutomu Shibayama was born in 1914. He is considered one of the greats of Japanese animation. He has directed 22 feature films of Doraemon. At the same time, he has also directed the 1979 TV anime of the series over the past 20 years.
Tsutomu Shibayama started his career at Toei Animation in 1963. Some of his best early works include The Gusty Frog, Tensai Bakabon series, etc. He did these works for Shin Ei Animation. In 1978, he left the company and started his own Ajia Do Animation Works. From 1984 to 2005, he was the chief director of the TV anime series Doraemon. He has directed several anime films including Nobita and the Castle Undersea Devil, Doraemon: Nobita in the One Nan Spacetime Odyssey.
Tsutomu Shibayama’s final works
He has also directed Chibi Maruko, Nintama Rantaro, Majime ni Fumajime, Kaikesu Zorori. In 2012, Tsutomu Shibayama was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs for his immense contribution to the anime industry.
As soon as the news of Tsutomu Shibayama’s death came out, a shadow of grief spread among Doraemon fans. Many expressed their condolences on social media.ncer.” Soon after the news of his passing away spread, many took to social media platforms to express their grief.
One user wrote, “RIP Tsutomu Shibayama. At one point Doraemon was his entire life, and nobody loved him more than the director himself. His personal drawings of him and his crew “shooting” with Doraemon and friends as if they were his regular collaborators will forever be a testament to that love.”
