Renowned Attack on Titan Animator Tragically Dies at 60

On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, tragic news emerged about the passing of Attack on Titan animator Satoshi Iwataki. The news was shared by Iwataki’s wife on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that he passed away on the night of Saturday, December 30, 2023 after a two-month battle with an undisclosed illness. Despite his optimism, Iwataki tragically succumbed to the illness in the final days of 2023.

Attack on Titan animator Satoshi Iwataki tragically passes just weeks after series’ ultimate conclusion

The wife of the Attack on Titan animator made it clear that Iwataki had a deep passion for animation and still had plans to create more works before his unexpected death at the age of 60. She also stressed that Iwataki never lost hope and continued to show kindness to those around him until the end of his life.

The latest

The news of Attack on Titan animator Satoshi Iwataki's tragic passing was shared in a post on his personal X account by his surviving wife. In addition to the tweet mentioned above, Iwataki's wife also expressed gratitude to fans for their support and condolences. While he is best known for his work on the anime adaptation of Hajime Isayama's original series, Iwataki also contributed to various other projects in the industry such as Hell's Paradise, Spy x Family, Seraph of the End, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc movie trilogy, and Mari Okada's Maboroshi movie.

Iwataki, a freelancer within the animation industry, was born on December 19, 1963. His account indicates that he ceased taking on new projects in mid-November 2023, around the same time his battle with the aforementioned illness commenced, as per the timeline provided by his wife.

Numerous Japanese anime enthusiasts have come together to share their condolences and reminisce about their favorite works of the Attack on Titan animator's X account, which is likely to be his final post. English fans have also flooded the replies with similar sentiments, expressing gratitude to Iwataki for his years of hard work. Although animators are often the unsung heroes of the anime industry, the recognition Iwataki received in life seems to be persisting even after his death.

Stay updated with all the latest news on anime, manga, films, and live-action as we progress through 2024.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of Attack on Titan, I am deeply saddened by the news of Satoshi Iwataki's passing. His contributions to the anime industry, particularly his work on Attack on Titan, have been nothing short of remarkable. His passion for animation and his dedication to his craft were evident in every frame he created. The anime community has lost a true master, and his absence will be felt for years to come.

Iwataki's passing is a reminder of the immense talent and hard work that goes into creating the anime we love. Animators like Iwataki are the backbone of the industry, and their contributions often go unrecognized. It is important to appreciate and celebrate the work of these talented individuals while they are still with us. Iwataki's legacy will live on through his work, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest animators of our time.