Anime director Tatsuo Sato, whose credits include Bodacious Space Pirates, Martian Successor Nadesico, and the experimental short Cat Soup, has died at the age of 61. His date of passing was April 24, with liver failure being the cause.
Sato’s passing was announced by animation studio NAGOMI, which was founded in 2024 with the involvement of anime holding and planning company Twin Engine, on May 7. The post praised his passion and contributions, and said that a private funeral will be held for him. A separate memorial organized by NAGOMI is planned to be held at a later date.
Sato was born in 1964 in Kanagawa Prefecture. He joined Ajia-do after graduating from Waseda University, and made his directorial debut on the 1989 Gakideka OVA as co-director with Koichiro Nakamura). Sato was also the storyboard artist and director of the OVA’s third episode.
As storyboard artist and/or episode director, Sato’s early credits include shows like Gakideka (the TV anime), Chibi Maruko-chan, and Akazukin Chacha. His first solo project-wide directorial role was on 1992’s Licca-chan no Nichiyobi OVA.
Sato also directed:
• Licca the Movie: Licca-chan Licca-chan to Yamaneko Hoshi no Tabi
• Soar High! Isami
• Martian Successor Nadesico
• Martian Successor Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness
• Di Gi Charat Summer Special 2000
• Cat Soup
• Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars (also creator, series composer, scriptwriter)
• Stellvia (also series composer)
• Ninja Scroll: The Series
• Tokyo Tribe
• Tokyo Tribe 2
• Shigofumi
• Bodacious Space Pirates (also series composer)
• Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace
• Lord Marksman and Vanadis (also series composer and scriptwriter)
• Atom the Beginning
• Helck
• Tasuu Ketsu
Sato was chief director on Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne.
Source: @as_NAGOMI
