Yamato, Macross Director Noboru Ishiguro Passes Away

[Logan Darklighter]

Yamato, Macross Director Noboru Ishiguro Passes Away







Director of 1st color Astro Boy, Orguss, Megazone 23, Galactic Heroes was 73

Studio Nue co-founder Haruka Takachiho reported on Wednesday that Noboru Ishiguro, the veteran director of such works as Space Battleship Yamato, the first color Astro Boy anime series
(1980), The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, and Legend of the Galactic Heroes, has passed away. He was 73.

Ishiguro directed some of the most highly regarded anime classics of the
last five decades, including those listed above as well as Megazone 23, The Super Dimension Century Orguss, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? film, and Yokai Ningen Bem. Ishiguro also conceived of Megazone 23's story and founded Artland in 1978, the studio that co-produced Macross, Orguss and Galactic
Heroes, and animated more recent titles such as Mushi-Shi, Demon King Daimao, and Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

Most recently, Ishiguro directed the 2008-2009 television anime series Tytania, which was based on a series of novels by Galactic Heroes author Yoshiki Tanaka, and Pattenrai!! - Minami no Shima no Mizu Monogatari, a 2009 film based on the life of Yoichi Hatta, the Japanese engineer that helped modernize Taiwan when it was a colony of Japan.

Ishiguro was scheduled
to attend North Carolina's Animazement convention on May 25-27. He
attended past U.S. conventions such as several Anime Expo events, Anime
Weekend Atlanta in 2007, and Otakon in 2009.

[classicdrogn]

Is it just me, or has there been a real spate of media industry deaths lately? It seems like there's a notice here every week or so for one...

- CD
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows

[Valles]

Well, damn.
===========

===============================================
"V, did you do something foolish?"
"Yes, and it was glorious."

[Logan Darklighter]

Forwarding this from Walter Amos.  Walter is something of a "Big Name Fan" in anime circles. He's also the manager of "The Cosmo List" which is the Star Blazers/Yamato mailing list I am on. In the past he's been well known for attending conventions in his "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" costume. Even doing Master of Ceremonies for a couple of costume contests/cosplay events in it! 
Walter says,

"Here's my comment on the article, adding that in addition to his anime credits, he was also just a very
generous and unassuming man, and an all-round hoopy frood generally.
In addition to the inevitable discussion of the
man's many estimable contributions to anime, I would also like to add
the personal note in remembrance of just what a wonderful, genteel,
unassuming and generous man he was. He always seemed very happy to meet
fans and never seemed too busy or too important to take a moment to
chat with the regular folks.

A perfect example was my encounter with him at the studio he founded,
Artland, in Tokyo in December 2010 (which I wrote about in this article for starblazers.com). I accompanied Tim Eldred on his "Yamato Tour" to see the premiere of the live action Space Battleship Yamato
movie in Japan, and in planning the trip I contacted as many friends as
I could who lived in Japan to try and meet up. Hiromi Hasegawa, former
Anime Expo staffer, suggested I contact Mr. Ishiguro and ask to visit
his studio. This is an idea which never would have occurred to me on my
own. I got in touch with his American translator (and now AX con
chair) Takayuki Karahashi to inquire about this, and the response came
back basically, "Sure! Feel free to visit after the movie premiere!"
No "we're too busy/too important to meet with fans at the workplace", as
one might expect from some more pretentious folks. Ardith Carlton and I
had a wonderful visit, tour of the production offices, and an extended
chat about all sorts of things from Yamato to the future of the anime
industry.

A few years earlier, in 2007, I accidentally caused a chain of events
that got him invited as a Guest of Honor at Anime Weekend Atlanta. I
had been discussing the idea of an animation studio panel with con chair
emeritus Dave Merrill and had suggested talking about Artland. To
support this idea I had contacted Taka to inquire whether he might be
able to ask Mr. Ishiguro if they had any informational or promotional
material about the studio they would be willing to give me for the
panel. Taka relayed the response that Ishiguro didn't think they had
much which would be of use to me, but inquired whether the con would be
interested in having him as a guest? Just right out of the blue! Not
being on staff, I relayed this question to Dave (while in something of
an astonished frenzy), who forwarded it to the con department heads
saying "We should move on this with all deliberate speed and power!" In
short order Ishiguro's visit was arranged. And not only did he bring
himself and his wealth of anecdotes and history, but two large books of
animation cels from the Artland archives to simply give away to anyone at his panels who might want them! (And he was also kind enough to bring a gorgeous cel of the flagship Brunhild from Legend of the Galactic Heroes,
with the painted background as it takes off from planet Odin, as an
unexpected personal gift to me!) How many con guests would do something
like that these days??"

[Bluemage]

/doffs hat, bowing in respect
I got into anime through Macross, and am currently mid-way through LoGH.  Truly a loss to be mourned.

---

My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.

I've been writing a bit.

[Disruptor]

Is it just me, or has there been a real spate of media industry deaths lately? It seems like there's a notice here every week or so for one...

- CD

The Baby Boomers(the children born after WWII) are dying off.    
--------------------
Tom Mathews aka Disruptor