Takashi-Yanase-Obituary

Takashi Yanase

1919 - 2013

Obituary

TOKYO (AP) - Takashi Yanase, creator of one of Japan's most beloved cartoon characters, Anpanman, has died of heart failure, his studio said Tuesday. He was 94.

Yanase died at a Tokyo hospital early Sunday, Yanase said in a statement. He had been treated for liver cancer since August.

Anpanman is a superhero with the head made of anpan, or bread filled with red bean paste, a typical snack in Japan. In the cartoon, the round-faced, smiley hero, clad in a red suit and long cape, fights his archrival Baikinman, or a germ man, while rescuing the weak.

The self-sacrificial hero, who even allowed starving people to bite into his head, rose to stardom in Japan in a picture book series that started in 1973, racking up sales totaling 68 million copies over the past 30 years. The Anpanman television cartoon series started in 1988, and has spread across Asia, where is also popular in places like Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The cartoon series, "Let's go ! Anpanman," entered the Guinness World Records in 2009 for the largest number of characters at more than 1,700.

A former graphic designer, Yanase debuted as a cartoonist and served as lecturer on a "manga school" quiz show on Japan's NHK television.

"Mr. Yanase was the Anpanman. He embraced us gently and taught us to share," actress Keiko Toda, whose voice was used for Anpanman's character on the TV show, said in a statement. "We've lost a precious guiding post."

Makoto Amano, an official at the publishing agent, said Yanase had briefly retired before the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters, but returned to work after learning that an Anpanman theme song was cheering up residents in the disaster-hit region, Kyodo News agency said. On Saturday, he was still discussing ideas with his staff about an upcoming Anpanman film set for release next year, Kyodo said.

Yanase, known for his pacifist messages, also wrote poems and lyrics for child ren's songs.

"It's October as usual. I'm doing fine, so please feel at ease," he closed his monthly poem greeting published on his website.

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MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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God will Comfort the Family's continuely

My condolences to the bereaved.May the love of close friends carry this family thru this most diffcult time.(Prov.18:24)B.Meill

May the God of comfort bless your family during this time of sorrow.

May the God of all comfort grant you inner peace that can overshadow your grief. My prayer is that you find solace in knowing that God made hope possible for those who have fallen asleep in death by sending his Son to die for us.--John 3:16.

I'm sorry to hear of Mr.Yanase passing. I hope that the family will draw comfort in the memories that have of their loved one.

Mr Yanase was loved by family and so many friends for sharing His life with many fans, Takashi gave so mush of His self, GOD loves a cheerful giver, 2Co 9:7, May you have comfort & peace.

Rest in peace ???? Founder, Greetings From Singapore - Amestine Cerisi

I am so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by the words at Jeremiah 29:11.