News Reporting

Ghibli Animator Makiko Futaki Passes Away


Kikis Delivery Service 001 - 20160516The anime industry lost another amazing animator.

Earlier today, Yoichiro Kugimiya (From Up On Poppy Hill, The Wind Rises) announced that animator Makiko Futaki passed away on May 13. She was 58.

Futaki was a veteran animator, whose career spanned over three decades. She served as a key animator at Studio Ghibli, lending her talents to all of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, as well as several projects by Isao Takahata.

In addition to Studio Ghibli’s work, Futaki lent her talents to landmark films Akira and Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise. She also served as illustrator on Nahoko Uehashi’s Moribito: Guardian of Spirit novels.

We’d like to offer our condolences to Futaki’s family and friends.

Rough Translation: Animator Makiko Futaki, who worked on several Studio Ghibli films, passed away at about 6:00PM on May 13. SHe was 58 years old, and very sick. The funeral was only open to relatives, but I’d like to respectfully offer my condolences.

Source: Twitter (yamitukimenbou)

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

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