Hisayuki Toriumi, the director of Gatchamen, Area 88, Speed Racer, and The Mysterious Cities of Gold, has died at the age of 67.
Despite the fact that Japanese people are supposed to be very long-lived, people involved with anime often seem to die relatively young, usually in their 60′s. Is there a ton of stress associated with being an anime director? Do they have to work with crazy killer chemicals?
Anyway, my little tribute is to post the opening to Science Ninja Team Gatchaman:
Egads! That sucks – Gatchaman is a favorite of mine, and my son too, come to think of it. And yeah – 67 seems pretty damn young. Rest in peace, Toriumi-san!