Code Geass Character Designer Takahiro Kimura Passes Away at 58
The official Code Geass project website announced today that anime character designer Takahiro Kimura passed away on March 5 after battling amyloidosis, a chronic illness. He was 58.
Born on May 19, 1964, in Fukuoka prefecture, Takahiro Kimura became enamored with anime after watching Armored Trooper Votoms while he was in university. He decided to enter the anime industry after watching the first few episodes of Blue Comet SPT Layzner, eventually joining Osaka-based studio Anime R and debuting uncredited on the same series doing finishing work.
Kimura’s key animation debut, again uncredited, was in the 1987 anime series Lemon Angel, eventually providing key animation on City Hunter, Idol Densetsu Eriko, Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, Cutie Honey and more.
His first anime character design work would be for 1994’s Dirty Pair Flash OVA series, where he’d previously done the character designs for the Advanced Variable Geo PC engine video game. He’d go on to produce the character designs for GaoGaiGar, Betterman, Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, among many more that of course include the Code Geass franchise, its 2019 film Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection and the upcoming Code Geass: Z of the Recapture anime series.
【訃報】木村貴宏氏 逝去のお知らせ
『コードギアス』シリーズでキャラクターデザインを務められたアニメーターの木村貴宏さんが 2023年3月5日に永眠されました
コードギアススタッフ 関係者一同 心よりご冥福をお祈り申し上げますhttps://t.co/RHcGjfwwDr pic.twitter.com/bX7WSoW60e
— コードギアスプロジェクト (@GEASSPROJECT) March 9, 2023
The Code Geass staff members revealed the news publicly at the request of Takahiro Kimura’s family and wrote:
“Kimura has given life to many characters in his animations and illustrations and has been able to create wonderful animated films that deeply move hearts. We have nothing but words of gratitude to him.”
We echo that statement. Thank you for all your wonderful work through your illustrious career, Kimura, and may you rest in peace.
Sources: Code Geass official website, Oricon
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Daryl Harding is a Senior Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs a YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.
