The animation community was deeply saddened this week by the heartbreaking announcement that renowned Attack on Titan animator Satoshi Iwataki had passed away at the age of 60.
On Tuesday, January 2nd, the tragic news was shared directly from the source – Iwataki’s grieving wife posted the update via his personal social media account.
She shared that after a brave two-month battle with an undisclosed illness, Iwataki sadly lost his fight on the night of Saturday, December 30th, 2023.
Despite the optimism he maintained even during his struggle, the illness ultimately took his life just days before we rang in the new year.
His wife paid touching tribute to the incredible passion he had for animation, stating that despite his failing health in recent months, Iwataki still dearly wished to create new animated works up until the very end.
She also noted his unwavering compassion toward loved ones surrounding him, saying he never outwardly showed distress regarding his fate and instead focused on bringing joy to others.
The post serves as a reminder of Iwataki’s impressive contributions to the animation genre via his work on the acclaimed Attack on Titan series, while also highlighting his uplifting personality traits in times of adversity.
Though gone too soon at only 60 years old, his creative legacy will undoubtedly live on.
The outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans alike further cements the immense loss felt by the entire animated arts community in light of his passing
Animator Satoshi Iwataki Dies Shortly After ‘Attack on Titan’ Finale
The unfortunate news of animator Satoshi Iwataki’s death was shared directly by his wife via his personal X account. In a post, Iwataki’s grieving wife informed followers that her husband had tragically passed away.
岩瀧智の妻です。
夫が２か月の闘病の末、12月30日夜に他界しました。
病床でも一度も取り乱さず、最後まで周囲への思いやりを持ったまま亡くなりました。
アニメーションを愛していた夫はまだ沢山の作品を作りたかったと思います。
生前お世話になった皆様、応援してくださった皆様にお礼申し上げます— 岩瀧智 (@iwataki) January 2, 2024
Additionally, she posted a separate tweet afterward simply saying “Thank you very much.” This appears to be an expression of appreciation towards fans who are mourning Iwataki’s death alongside her and offering condolences for her loss.
The direct nature of the announcements on Iwataki’s own account underscores the sadness and intimacy of this news for his family and the animation community. As they grieve, his wife seems grateful that fans cared enough to reach out in sympathy.
Animator Satoshi Iwataki, who sadly passed away, had an extensive career in anime spanning many acclaimed projects. Though he may be best remembered for his directorial work on the popular Attack on Titan adaptation, Iwataki also lent his talents to numerous other anime.
His animation and design credits include contributions to Hell’s Paradise, Spy x Family, Seraph of the End, the Berserk Golden Age film trilogy, and Mari Okada’s recent movie Maboroshi.
Even this impressive list does not fully encompass all of Iwataki’s industry accomplishments built up over years in the field.
His death represents a major loss of talent and experience in the world of anime production. As the outpouring from fans indicates, his creative vision brought joy to many and will be sorely missed.
Yasuyuki Iwataki’s Legacy in Anime Animation
According to his online account and additional details provided by his wife, Iwataki had been privately battling illness in the months prior and stopped taking on any new animation projects in mid-November as his condition worsened.
Iwataki’s last social media post has become a memorial of sorts, flooded with messages by heartbroken Japanese anime fans expressing gratitude and paying tribute to some of their favorite sequences he animated over his prolific career.
International admirers of his artistry are also chiming in, recognizing Iwataki’s immense talent and artisanal contributions that so often go unsung in his field.
Though animators work tirelessly behind the scenes, Iwataki seemed to have earned significant appreciation during his lifetime.
Now in his unfortunate death, there is an outpouring of love and posthumous recognition celebrating his creative vision and skill that brought so many beloved anime worlds to life.
How Fans Reacted To This News
When the news broke of veteran animator Yasuyuki Iwataki’s passing, it sent shockwaves through anime fandom worldwide.
Iwataki had his talented hands in some of the most popular and acclaimed series of the last two decades, from mainstream blockbusters like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer to critically-revered works like March Comes in Like a Lion and Monogatari.
His credits read like an encyclopedia of seminal and groundbreaking anime. Shounen smash hits, emotional dramas, sci-fi epics, romantic comedies – you name a genre and Iwataki likely contributed his signature animation flair to a beloved title in that category.
For many fans, some of their most memorable sequences and animated highlights were thanks to Iwataki’s gifted eye and hand.
On the comment sections and forums lighting up with tributes, he is being heralded as a bonafide anime legend – an artist who helped breathe life into countless iconic franchises and moved viewers with his dramatic, fluid, and heartfelt animation scenes.
From titan combat to school festivals to galactic warfare, Iwataki handled it all and built up tremendous admiration from fans who regard many of his hand-drawn sequences to be all-time anime great moments.
The outpouring of gratitude and calls for his animation contributions to never be forgotten speak to the immense creative legacy Iwataki has left behind.
