Code Geass Character Designer Takahiro Kimura Passes Away

As revealed on the official website for the Code Geass project, anime character designer Takahiro Kimura has passed away at the age of 58. Kimura passed away on March 5 after battling a chronic illness called amyloidosis, which occurs when a protein called amyloid builds up in organs, causing them to not work properly. 

After finding himself enamored with anime while attending university, Kimura made his way into the industry and started out with some uncredited work at Osaka-based studio Anime R for the Blue Comet SPT Layzner anime. He then made his uncredited key animation debut with 1987’s Lemon Angel before moving on to key animation work on series like City Hunter, Mobile Suit Victory Gundam and more.

1994 OVA series Dirty Pair Flash marked Kimura’s first character design work for anime, and he would go on to do those same duties for shows ranging from GaoGaiGar to Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway and, of course, Code Geass. 

Upon sharing the news publicly at his family’s request, the Code Geass staff had the following to say:

“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.”

Our thoughts go out to Takahiro Kimura’s family, friends, colleagues and fans.

Source: Official website via Crunchyroll News