Tsutomu Shibayama, a renowned anime director famous for his work on iconic series such as 'Doraemon' and 'Chibi Maruko-chan', passed away on the 6th due to lung cancer at the age of 84. His funeral was held privately with family, and plans for a farewell gathering are expected to take place later.

Born in Asakusa, Tokyo in 1941, Shibayama began his career in animation at Toei Animation in 1963 as an animator. He worked on notable TV shows like 'Dokonjo Gaeru', 'Gamba no Bouken', and 'Ganso Tensai Bakabon' while serving as a key animation director and involved in direction at A Production, now known as Shin-Ei Animation.

In 1978, he co-founded the animation studio Asia-dou with colleague Osamu Kobayashi and became particularly well-known for his work on the 'Doraemon' series, directing 22 movies and serving as chief director for the television series starting in 1980. Throughout his remarkable career, Shibayama contributed to numerous beloved anime that became deeply embedded in Japanese pop culture, solidifying his legacy in the industry.