[Obituary] Anime Director Tatsuo Sato Dies of Liver Failure at 61, Known for Soar High! Isami and Bodacious Space Pirates

Anime director and storyboard artist Tatsuo Sato has died of liver failure on April 24, 2026, at the age of 61. The announcement was made on May 7 by animation planning and production company NAGOMI. According to the official statement, Sato had been undergoing medical treatment before his passing.

NAGOMI Announces Tatsuo Sato’s Passing

NAGOMI released a written statement expressing condolences and gratitude for Sato’s contributions to the company’s animation projects.

The company stated that Tatsuo Sato had participated as a director in several of its productions and continued working passionately on projects that were still in production prior to his death. NAGOMI praised his dedication and significant contributions to the anime industry.

The statement also noted that the funeral was held privately with close family members only, in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family. Requests for flowers, condolence money, and visits were respectfully declined.

NAGOMI further announced plans to hold a memorial gathering to honor Sato’s achievements at a later date. Details regarding the event will be announced through the company’s official website and social media channels once finalized.

Career of Tatsuo Sato

Tatsuo Sato was born on July 7, 1964, in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined the animation studio Ajia do Animation Works. He began his career as an animator and assistant director before making his debut as a director in 1989.

Among the notable anime works he contributed to were Chibi Maruko chan and Akazukin Chacha. He directed his first television anime series, Soar High! Isami, in 1995.

Sato later directed Martian Successor Nadesico in 1996. The 1998 theatrical film adaptation received the Seiun Award at the Japan Science Fiction Convention.

Acclaimed Works Including Cat Soup and Bodacious Space Pirates

Sato also collaborated with Masaaki Yuasa on Cat Soup, which won the Best Short Film Award and Critics Award at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, as well as an Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival.

In 2001, Sato created his original anime series Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars, for which he also handled the original story and wrote every episode script.

He later received his second Seiun Award for Bodacious Space Pirates in 2012, serving as both director and series composer. The anime film Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace was released two years later.

Source : ORICON NEWS