Anime Director Satoshi Kon Has Died

Apparently, it has been confirmed that famed anime director Satoshi Kon , director of such works as Perfect Blue and Paprika, has in fact died at the age of 46. Initial statements were made over twitter by founding member of Gainax Takeda Yasuhiro earlier today, followed by an apparent confirmation from Madhouse president Masou Maruyama. Details are still unclear but apparently he died this morning around 2 a.m. in Japan. More details to be posted as they are released.

*Updates:

According to Anime News Network, Kon’s widow wrote on his website on Wednesday about his death.

Satoshi Kon passed away due to pancreatic cancer on August 24 at 6:20 a.m. He was 46.

His funeral service will be held for family members only.
We are respectfully and deeply grateful for your kindness during his lifetime.

Furthermore, MADHOUSE had this to say,

Satoshi Kon,  the director of numerous works at MADHOUSE including Paprika, Paranoia Agent, Tokyo Godfathers and Millennium Actress, passed away due to pancreatic cancer early in the morning of Tuesday, August 24.

He was 46.

With regards to funeral services, a private service will be held for family members only.

We are respectfully and deeply grateful for your kindness during his lifetime.

Finally, pre-written statements were also posted to Kon’s website on his behalf

May 18 of this year, an unforgettable day.

My wife and I received the following prognosis from a cardiologist at the Musashino Red Cross Hospital:

“The pancreatic cancer is terminal and has metastasized to the bone. You have at most a half year left.”

As to the fate of his final film, Yume-Miru Kikai Kon relates this conversation with Masao Maruyama.

When I conveyed my concerns for Yume-Miru Kikai to  Mr. Maruyama, he said, “It’s fine. Don’t worry, we’ll do whatever it takes.”

I cried.

I cried aloud.


His statements were ended with these word’s


With feelings of gratitude for all that is good in this world, I put down my pen.

Well, I’ll be leaving now.

Satoshi Kon

Author: Jeremy

Jeremy was first introduced to anime with heavily edited versions of Mazinger Z (aka Tranzor Z in the US), GoLion (aka Voltron) and Macross (aka Robotech) while growing up in the 1980's. Since then his tastes have evolved into a fairly eclectic mix of anime with a soft-spot for underdog shonen stories, psychological/cyber-punk stories and select love comedies. Jeremy was also the head organizer of Anime Souffle anime club in Los Angeles. It was at an Anime Souffle meeting where he met Michael Huang and eventually was invited to join as a guest co-host for Scattered Cells Podcast episode #6 in February of 2007. Afterwards he became an official part of the Anime Diet crew.

9 thoughts on “Anime Director Satoshi Kon Has Died

  1. As Jeremy alluded to in the article, the Madhouse president mentioned that “an important director died.” Given the timing, it seems to be a confirmation of the Gainax remarks.

    Satoshi Kon’s official website has not addressed the rumors, but message boards there are starting to show “R.I.P.” posts.

  2. I have corrected his age at time of death (I had quoted various other sources who mistakenly placed his age at 47) and added other relevant comments made by MADHOUSE, his widow as well as Kon’s final words posted on his website by others after his death. Thanks for the corrections and additions folks.

    1. Wasn’t trying to correct anyone. Just read stuff from everywhere.
      It’s such a shame that he’s gone.
      Thanks for posting!

  3. @Ray No worries. I didn’t think you or anyone else was. I had just wanted to follow up with updates. Had heard some initial reports of cause of death, but nothing concrete. Wanted to add that info and correct the age mistake as well as add other details. Very sad news no matter how you slice it though. It has definitely affected me as well as everyone else who followed his work.

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