In 1961,
Toei Animation made a monumental decision in hired a man named
Keiichiro Kimura. What they, in the company, probably didn't know at the time was that
Kimura would help create some of the most fun and influential anime of the era.
Kimura was the key animator for some shows such as
Speed Racer,
Casshern Sins and
Lupin the Third. He then moved on to being animation director for such shows as
Cyborg 009 and
Tiger Mask. While
Kimura's name may not be the most iconic overseas, it is without a doubt that he contributed to some of the most impactful anime of our time. it was recently announced that he had passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 80.
This came as a blow to many and a service was held for him; headed by his son
Takahiro Kimura. He was the one that announced his father's passing and expressed his great respect for him.
Keiichiro Kimura's legacy will live on through his work and through the work of his sone and this loss comes as a great blow to the industry as a whole.