Patlabor, and Space Battleship Yamato 2202 animator Hiroki Takagi passed away last February 2, according to Patlabor co-creator Masami Yuki. He stated that Takagi suddenly lost consciousness after bathing. He was also diagnosed with influenza shortly before his untimely demise.

News of Tagaki’s sudden death left his fans mourning. Artist and character designer Nobuteru Yuki attended Tagaki’s funeral. He posted that Tagaki’s passing left a huge void in all his future projects, especially with Yamato 2202 only being halfway done. He then reassured that the production team will carry on his work.

 

Yamato 2202 assistant director Makoto Kobayashi posted that the anime will be credited as Takagi’s posthumous work.

 

Hiroki Takagi worked as animation director and key animator for Patlabor, and provided the character designs for the Patlabor WXIII film. He’s also the animation director for notable productions like Bleach, Saiyuki: Requiem, Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie, Big Order and Kimagure Orange Road. Other works include Akira, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Honey and Clover, Kimi ni Todoke, March Comes In Like A Lion, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tokyo Mew Mew to name a few. 

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