Anime industry veteran and longtime director of the Doraemon film series, Tsutomu Shibayama, has sadly passed away at the age of 84. The heart-breaking news sent shockwaves through the Japanese entertainment fandom on Tuesday. Best know for directing the Doraemon films series for over 20 years, Shibayama succumbed to his lung cancer ailment on March 6, 2026.
The Japanese animation studio Ajiado, which he co-founded decades ago, disclosed the tragic loss to fans on March 17, 2026, after a private funeral was held for only close family members.
Ajiado also confirmed that a memorial service would be held for the anime icon at a later date. Information related to it, including date, time and location, will be disclosed once everything is finalised.
Who was Tsutomu Shibayama?
Born on March 9, 1941, the Doraemon anime films’ director was also the former president and CEO of the Japanese animation studio Ajiado, which was established in 1978 with Tsutomu attached as a co-founder. Having even served as the chief director of the Doraemon TV series, Shibayama’s final theatrical Doraemon directorial was Doraemon the Movie: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey, which released in 2004.
In addition to receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2018, Shibayama also sat in the director’s seat for the Chibi Maruko-chan series, its 1990 film and the 1992 Chibi Maruko-chan: Watashi no Suki na Uta film, according to the Anime News Network. Additionally, his decades-old filmography included directorial credits for Nintama Rantaro as well.
Although new anime fans may be more familiar with Netflix’s 2024 TV series Ranma 1/2, Shibayama directed the first season of its original and evergreen 1989 edition.
So many Veterans in the Industry are dropping like flies its concerning https://t.co/H7OUX9MKxB
— MechaJunkieApologist (@djpyscho10646) March 17, 2026
Heartbroken anime fans recollect childhood Doraemon memories
As soon as anime-focussed news outlet and social media fan pages started sharing the tragic news of Tsutomu Shibayama’s passing, fans were overcome with emotion.
Many instantly poured their hearts out about years-old memories tied to the beloved anime series, Doreamon, expressing how they had grown up with the long-running anime. A sea of similar-sounding comments saw fans largely thanking the veteran anime executive for his contributions to the medium and making their childhood special.
One of them wrote on X: “He finally found the Anywhere Door to a better place. Thanks for making our childhoods legendary—rest easy, sensei.”
Another Doraemon fan chimed in: “RIP Tsutomu!!! you are the og who gave us the best childhood we could ever imagine and the will to carry our lives forward with the memories of Doraemon….i still remember the days i used to be ready by 10:30am on Sundays, to get to watch the Doraemon movies on tv. my evenings after school were all filled with Doraemon.”
A third said: “I absolutely loved Doraemon as a kid still holds a special place in my heart, RIP Tsutomu Sensei.”
Someone else added: “At least he was able to watch the latest Doraemon movie and the reboot Ranma anime before he passed away. RIP old man.”
Yet another person grieved: “Rest in peace director thank u for ur art.”
An anime enthusiast said: “His contributions to pre-2005 Doraemon movies will always be remembered. May he rest in peace.”