Home > News & Advice > News Obituaries > Eiichi Yamamoto (1940–2021), anime pioneer known for “Belladonna of Sadness”

Eiichi Yamamoto (1940–2021), anime pioneer known for “Belladonna of Sadness”

by Linnea Crowther

Eiichi Yamamoto was a Japanese amine pioneer who directed and co-wrote classics of the genre including “Belladonna of Sadness,” “Astro Boy” and “Kimba the White Lion.”

Anime

Eiichi Yamamoto often worked with “Father of Anime” Osamu Tezuka, the artist and animator who created genre-defining classics including the 1960s TV series “Astro Boy” and “Kimba the White Lion.” Their collaborations also include the adult anime films “One Thousand and One Arabian Nights” and “Cleopatra.” Yamamoto worked on several projects without Tezuka, including the psychedelic cult classic “Belladonna of Sadness” and the TV series “Little Wansa.” He wrote screenplays for anime films including “Space Battleship Yamoto” and “The Sensualist.” Yamamoto also wrote the memoir “The Rise and Fall of Mushi Pro: The Youth of Ani Meita.”

Tributes to Eiichi Yamamoto

Full obituary: Animation Magazine

View More Legacy Videos

More Stories