[Obituary] Katsushi Murakami, Creator of the Chogokin Toy Line and Renowned Robot Designer, Dies at 83

Katsushi Murakami, an industrial designer specializing in toys, died on July 20, 2026. He was 83. The official TAMASHII NATIONS account operated by BANDAI SPIRITS announced his death on X on August 6.

The account reported, “Katsushi Murakami passed away on July 20, 2026.”

It also paid tribute to the designer, stating, “We express our deepest respect for his many achievements, which have left a lasting mark on toy history, and offer our sincere condolences.”

A Pioneer of Robot and Hero Toy Design

Murakami joined Bandai in 1961 and later joined the toy company Popy. Beginning with the development of Chogokin Mazinger Z, he went on to work on a wide range of toy designs.

He was widely known as the product designer regarded as the father of Bandai’s popular Chogokin toy line. As a leading figure in toy design, he worked on products including Chogokin Mazinger Z, Brave Raideen, and Combattler V.

Murakami designed numerous heroes and giant robots and helped bring many related toy products to market.

First Design Art Collection Published in 2017

In 2017, Murakami released his first collection of design drawings, All About Katsushi Murakami: Tokusatsu and Robot Industrial Design Art Collection.

The book features his work on live action heroes such as Gorenger, the Japanese Spider Man television series, the Kamen Rider series, and the Space Sheriff series, beginning with Brave Raideen.

It also includes anime robots from titles such as Muteking, Golden Warrior Gold Lightan, and God Mars. The volume brings together Murakami’s extensive career and achievements as an industrial designer.

Source : ORICON NEWS