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, the studio co-founded by Tsutomu Shibayama, announced on March 17 that the veteran anime director had passed away on March 6, 2026, at age 84 due to lung cancer. A private funeral was held with close family members, while plans for a public memorial service were pending. Shibayama's death prompted widespread tributes from fans and the anime industry for his decades-long contributions to Doraemon and other series.
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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 – 2005 |
| 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. |