There are a few names that have written the history of Japanese animation. Although things have moved on from the 1960s to today, there are certain things that don't change, such as the need to have talented and resourceful people at the helm. What do souls of caliber do Lupine III, Berserk, Cobra, Rocky Joe and many other famous ones?
The name is Shichiro Kobayashi, who worked for Toei Animation in 1964 and entered the world of animation. From 1968 he founded Kobayashi Production and from there he started his career as an artistic director, participating in the anime mentioned above, as well as Dokonjo Gaeru, The Adventures of Gamba, Ganso Tensai Bakabon, Lum, Nodame Cantabile and many others.
Unfortunately Shichiro Kobayashi passed away these days. The legendary art director died of heart failure on August 25, 2022 at the age of 89. With that, a person of incredible depth is lost who has worked in the artistic field of top-level anime for many years. Not surprisingly, he received the 1986 Nihon Anime Taisho Award in the category "Art" or the 2009 Tokyo International Anime Fair Award of Merit, as well as the 2011 Japanese Government Film Award of Merit.
So we say goodbye to a giant of anime of the last century. Another great loss in the world of Japanese entertainment after Kazuki Takahashi's a few months ago.
