Yuji Nunokawa (Japanese: 布川ゆうじ; 11 February 1947 – 25 December 2022) was a Japanese anime producer, animator and director.

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Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Yuji Nunokawa
布川ゆうじ
Nunokawa in 2015
Born	11 February 1947 (1947-02-11) Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Died	25 December 2022 (2022-12-26) (aged 75)
Other names	Yû Sakata
Employers	TCJ (1967-1968) Nakamura Production (1968-1969) Mushi Production (1969-1970) Wako Productions (1970-1971) Tatsunoko Production (1971-1979) Pierrot (1979-2022)

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Born in Sakata, Yamagata to a family of tailors, Nunokawa studied at the Nippon Design Welfare College, graduating in 1967.^[1] He made his professional debut as a colorist for an Eiken subsidiary.^[2] He then worked as a freelancer animator and a technical director at several anime production companies, notably Mushi Production and Tatsunoko Production.^[1][3] He was key animator for Robotan, and he made his directorial debut in 1975 with the series Time Bokan.^[1]

In 1979 Nunokawa decided to establish his own company, and founded Studio Pierrot, which in a few years got a string of successes, including Creamy Mami, Kimagure Orange Road, Naruto, YuYu Hakusho, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul.^[1][2][3] He also served as chairman of the Association of Japanese Animations from 2009 to 2014.^[2]

During his career Nunokawa received various awards and honours, notably the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award [ja] and the Blue Ribbon Medal of Honor.^[2][3] He died on 25 December 2022, at the age of 75.^[1][2][3]