Akira Shigino, a distinguished anime director, was born in Hokkaido in 1954. He set out on his journey in the anime industry under Tatsunoko Production’s subsidiary, Anime Friend, debuting with the Time Bokan series in 1979. Over the years, Shigino contributed to numerous renowned anime productions, including the 1980s classic Osomatsu-kun, the beloved children’s show Shimajiro, and the iconic Crayon Shin-chan.
His portfolio also encompasses works like Kochikame from the 2000s, episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, Yo-kai Watch, and storyboards for Sailor Moon Crystal. Additionally, he was a member of the Japan Animation Creators Association.
On June 2, the official Twitter accounts for the Dino Girl Gauko kids anime and anime production house Ascension Inc. mournfully announced the passing of Akira Shigino, the mastermind behind the Dino Girl Gauko series. Shigino’s last creation, Dino Girl Gauko, continues to charm audiences with its unique storyline and direction.
The series aired 39 episodes, each nine minutes long, spanning two seasons on Netflix from November 2019 to March 2020. At the time of his passing, Shigino was 70 years old. The announcement conveyed that a private funeral service was conducted, attended by family members and close acquaintances, to bid farewell to the legendary director.
