On October 26th, Studio GONZO announced in a post on X thatShigemi Ikeda, the visionary art director known for his work onAfro Samurai,One-Punch Man, andMy Hero Academia, passed awayon October 13 at the age of 69. Ikeda’s family shared that his funeral would be held privately, reserved for close family. His passing leaves a significant void in the anime industry, where his artistic contributions to background design and world-building became a foundational influence. Over his prolific career, Ikeda’s distinct style and unparalleled skill in visual storytelling left an indelible mark on the anime landscape.
Shigemi Ikeda began his career in the 1970s, eventually establishing Atelier Musa, his own background art studio, in 1986. From there, he developed a signature approach that combined detailed realism with a deep respect for each story’s tone, creating worlds that felt tangible and alive. In 2009, Ikeda’s work was recognized with an “Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation” Primetime Emmy Award forAfro Samurai: Resurrection, Spike TV and Studio GONZO’s television film. This recognition celebratedIkeda’s unique gift for translating narrative into visual experience, underscoring his importance as a guiding figure in anime art direction.
Prolific Anime Art Director Shigemi Ikeda Passes Away at 69
Ikeda’s Art Leaves a Lasting Impression on the Anime World
Ikeda’s extensive credits span decades and include series likeBastard!!,Gantz,Inuyasha,Library War, andBokurano, alongside multipleGundamseries such asMobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack,Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, andMobile Suit Gundam: The Origin.
His later work is seen in beloved modern anime such asMy Hero Academia,Overlord,The Promised Neverland, andYashahime: Princess Half-Demon, with each project showcasing his versatile style and deep understanding of mood and setting. These contributions not only shape Ikeda’s legacy as a master of crafting richly atmospheric backgrounds but also define a distinct visual style for a generation of artwork in anime.
Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom
Co-Background Art Director
While Shigemi Ikeda’s passing marks the end of an era,his legacy continues to inspire a new generation of anime creators. Atelier Musa remains a respected name, known for setting standards in background artistry. Ikeda’s influence lives on in the evolving work of those who admired his vision, ensuring that his dedication to the art of world-building will continue to enrich the medium he helped shape. Shigemi Ikeda’s work on anime likeOne-PunchManis surely a legacy any creator would be proud of.
One-Punch Man
Cast
Saitama, a superhero from City Z, faces an existential crisis as he can defeat any opponent with a single punch, leading to a lack of challenge and sheer boredom. His quest for a worthy opponent leads him to meet new friends and enemies and join the Hero Association to gain official recognition while accidentally (and secretly) solving all of the world’s problems with a single punch.
