Tsutomu Shibayama Age, Death, Biography » StarsUnfolded

Some Lesser Known Facts About Tsutomu Shibayama

• Tsutomu Shibayama was best known for directing the Doraemon film series for over two decades.

• He was born and grew up in Taitō, Tokyo.

• Tsutomu started his animator career as a Manga artist, under the name Hajime Sanjō.

• In 1978, he co-founded Ajiado, a Japanese animation studio, and served as its president and CEO for many years.

• In 1984, he joined the Doraemon TV anime. His last direction in the Doraemon TV anime was in 2004.

• Apart from Doraemon, he also directed well-known shows like Chibi Maruko-chan (1990) and Nintama Rantaro (1993).

• In 1989, Tsutomu Shibayama directed the original version of Ranma 1/2.

• In 2012, Shibayama received the Agency for Cultural Affairs Award for his work in animation.

• In 2018, the Tokyo Anime Award Festival awarded him the Lifetime Achievement award for his work in animation.

• On 6 March 2026, Tsutomu Shibayama passed away after battling lung cancer for many years. His animation studio, Ajiado, confirmed the news of his death.