Anime Director Yūji Yanase Dies
Director Yūji Yanase, known for 'In Another World With My Smartphone,' died August 22. His death was announced by his final project's production.
Director and animator Yūji Yanase died on August 22.
His death was announced on Wednesday by the official website for the anime The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne, which Yanase directed. That series premiered this past July.
A Long Career in Animation
Yūji Yanase's career in anime spanned nearly four decades. He began working in the industry by at least 1988. His early work was as an in-between animator on major films including Akira and Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's Dorabian Nights.
He later served as a key animator on television series such as Macross 7, Tenchi Universe, and Tetsujin 28-go FX. Yanase's role evolved into that of an animation director for individual episodes across a wide range of shows.
Prolific Directorial Output
Yanase made his directorial debut with the 2014 television anime Himegoto. He quickly became a prolific director, especially within the isekai and fantasy genres that dominate the modern anime cour.
He helmed numerous adapted light novel and manga series. His directorial credits include Onsen Yōsei Hakone-chan, If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord, By the Grace of the Gods, and In the Land of Leadale. He continued directing up to his final project, The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne.
Key Directorial Works
The source from Anime News Network, citing the anime's website and Comic Natalie, lists the following television anime series directed by Yūji Yanase.
| Series Title |
|---|
| Himegoto (2014) |
| Onsen Yōsei Hakone-chan |
| In Another World With My Smartphone |
| If It’s for My Daughter, I’d Even Defeat a Demon Lord |
| By the Grace of the Gods |
| In the Land of Leadale |
| My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1 |
| I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History |
| Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra |
| The World's Strongest Rearguard - Labyrinth Country's Novice Seeker |
| The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne |
Even while directing full series, Yanase maintained his hands-on animation work. He continued to contribute as a key animator, animation director, and episode director on various other productions throughout his career.
