‘Doraemon’ Director Tsutomu Shibayama Dies at 84 After Battle With Lung Cancer

Veteran anime director Tsutomu Shibayama, best known for helming the popular television show ‘Doraemon’, passed away on March 6, 2026, at the age of 84 after battling lung cancer.

The news of his death was announced on Wednesday by Ajia-do Animation Works, the studio he co-owned. His passing was made public days after a private funeral attended only by close family members.

“We sincerely thank him for his profound contributions during his lifetime, and we announce this with great respect,” the statement further read.

Born in 1914, Shibayama is regarded as a pioneer of animation in Japan. He began his career at Toei Animation in 1963 as an in-betweener before moving to Shin-Ei Animation, then known as A Production, in 1966.

What was Shibayama’s contribution to the ‘Doraemon’ series and films?

During his early years, he worked on projects such as The Gutsy Frog and the Tensai Bakabon.

After leaving Shin-Ei Animation in 1978, he co-founded Ajia-do Animation Works alongside Osamu Kobayashi and Michishiro Yamada.

Shibayama served as Chief Director for the ‘Doraemon’ television anime series from 1984 to 2005 and directed 22 feature films based on the franchise.

Among his notable works are ‘Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil’ and ‘Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey’.

His other significant directorial works include Chibi Maruko-chan from 1990 to 1992, Nintama Rantarō from 1993 to 2012, and Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori from 2006 to 2007.

In 2012, Shibayama was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. He was also recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2018.

Under his direction, ‘Doraemon’ evolved into a cultural phenomenon that resonated across generations in Japan and internationally, cementing Shibayama’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in anime.