Earlier today Toei Company Ltd. announced the passing of Osamu Tezuka—the company’s president and CEO—at the age of 62.

 

Tezuka first joined Toei in April 1983, marking nearly 40 years at the company that oversees Toei Animation among other branches. He became a member of the board in June 2012 before being promoted to managing director in June 2016 and, ultimately, president and CEO in June 2020. In addition to the announcement of his passing, Toei confirmed that current managing director and chairman Noriyuki Tada will take on the role of president in Tezuka’s place.

 

Tezuka’s family will hold a funeral with close relatives only, and a memorial ceremony is planned at some point in the future. Our thoughts go out to those who surrounded Tezuka both professionally and personally.

 

Source: Toei via Anime News Network

Thumbnail photo via Oricon

 

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.