Osamu Kobayashi's Twitter account revealed earlier today that the anime director, known for directing anime rock series BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, episodes of Naruto Shippuden, Paradise Kiss, and many more. The Tweet explains that Kobayashi passed on April 17 from kidney cancer that he'd been battling for two years. Kobayashi was 57 years old.

Translation:

"Osamu Kobayashi              Aged 57              Last night

He set off for heaven last night.

It's unfortunate to say that I ran out of strength after battling kidney cancer for the past two years...

It is regretful because there are still things I wanted to do and works I wanted to make.

When I am reborn again, I will surely make some great works!

Adios. The eternal 23-year-old."

Alongside the works references in the first paragraph, Osamu Kobayashi also directed episodes of Gurren Lagann, LUPIN THE 3rd PART4, and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. Kobayashi's last credited work as a director was on episode 11 of the 2019 TV anime series Rinshi!! Ekoda-chan. Kobayashi was also a screenwriter for many of the anime he worked on.

Osamu Kobayashi on the right (Image: Twitter)

After Kobayashi graduated high school, he aspired to be a designer and manga creator, eventually creating the series ONE NIGHT CITY in 2014. He was drawn to animation after he helped develop the world setting of the video game Grandia.

Our condolences go out to his friends and family.

Source: Osamu Kobayashi's Twitter account

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Daryl Harding is a Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs a YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.