Renowned anime director Shigeki Awai, popular for his pivotal roles in series like Naruto and One Piece, passed away on March 19 at the age of 71. The cause of his death remains undisclosed, reflecting his well-known preference for privacy regarding his personal life.
Legacy of an Anime Visionary
Shigeki Awai’s impact on the anime industry is profound, with notable contributions to beloved series including Naruto: Shippuden, Bokuto: Naruto Next Generations, Detective Conan, and Doraemon. His illustrious career spanned over five decades and encompassed more than 500 projects, during which he directed upwards of 200 episodes.
A Diverse Portfolio
Per information from Anime News Centre, Awai’s expansive repertoire includes major titles such as Black Clover, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, One Punch Man, Bungo Stray Dogs, Food Wars!, and Haikyu!!. His innovative storytelling and artistic direction helped shape the structure of modern anime.
Moreover, Awai was instrumental in the creation of popular series like Tower of God, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Beyblade, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Kuroko’s Basketball, Mobile Suit Gundam, and Seven Deadly Sins. His recent projects included Terminator Zero, Suicide Squad ISEKAI, Uzumaki, and The Misfit of Demon King Academy Season 2, showcasing his continued relevance in the industry.
Remembering Shigeki Awai
After the announcement of his passing, colleagues and fans took to social media to share their sorrow and remember their experiences with Awai. Animator Hideaki Matsuoka reflected on their partnership during the 1980s and 1990s, expressing profound shock at the news. Matsuoka shared:
“The first time I met Awai was about 40 years ago when Studio Gallop was still in its prefab days. At that time, both Awai and I were working as key animators.”
“We were both from Kyushu, and since we worked on the same projects from the beginning, we had a lot to talk about and often chatted about everyday things.”
Matsuoka further articulated his sorrow, saying:
“I was watching X just now and was surprised to see the news of Awai Shigeki’s death. I don’t know the details, but I would like to express my deepest condolences.”
Animator Tsutomu Ohno, known for his work on Bleach, Blue Lock Season 2, and Oshi no Ko, also took a moment to honor Awai, describing him as a mentor and acknowledging his lasting influence on the art of animation.
As of now, Awai’s family has not publicly commented on his passing, leaving fans and colleagues to reflect on the tremendous legacy he leaves behind.