Quick Info
| Profession | Screenwriter, Director, Animator |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Date of Birth | 09/03/1941 |
| Age | 84 years (died on 06, Mar, 2026) |
| Birthplace | Asakusa, Taitō, Tokyo |
| Date of Death | 06/03/2026 |
Latest News about Tsutomu Shibayama
17/03/2026
Ajia-do Animation Works announced that Tsutomu Shibayama died on 6 March 2026 from lung cancer. He was 84 years old at the time of his death. The announcement confirmed his role as the studio’s former president and CEO and noted his long career directing Doraemon projects.
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Bio/Wiki
| Tsutomu Shibayama was a renowned Japanese animator, screenwriter, animation supervisor, storyboard artist, character designer, and anime director. He is best known for his long-standing role as the director of the Doraemon TV anime series and its film adaptations from 1984 to 2005. He co-founded the animation studio Ajia-do Animation Works (Ajiado) in 1978 and served as its president and CEO until his death. | |
| Tsutomu Shibayama was a renowned Japanese animator, screenwriter, animation supervisor, storyboard artist, character designer, and anime director of film and television. He is best known for his long-standing role as the director of the Doraemon TV anime series and its film adaptations from 1984 to 2005. He co-founded the animation studio Ajia-do Animation Works (Ajiado) in 1978 and served as its president and CEO until his death. |
Physical Stats & More
| Eye Colour | Black |
|---|---|
| Hair Colour | Salt and Pepper (partial bald) |
Personal Life
| Death Cause | Lung Cancer |
|---|
Career
| Debut TV | Doraemon (1984) as a director |
|---|---|
| Last Film | Doraemon the Movie: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey (2004) as a director |
| Famous for | Directing Doraemon TV anime episodes (1984–2005) |
| Awards, Honours, Achievements |
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| Notable Works |
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| Years Active | 1963 – 2026 |
| Major Studios |
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Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Best known for directing the Doraemon film series for over two decades. | |
| 2. Started his animator career as a Manga artist, under the name Hajime Sanjō. | |
| 3. Co-founded Ajiado, a Japanese animation studio, and served as its president and CEO for many years. | |
| 4. His last direction in the Doraemon TV anime was in 2004. | |
| 5. Ajiado confirmed the news of his death. | |
| 6. He joined Toei Doga in 1963. | |
| 7. He moved to A Production (now Shin-Ei Production) in 1966. | |
| 8. He co-founded Ajia-do Animation Works in 1978 alongside Osamu Kobayashi and Michishiro Yamada. |