Animator, wife pass away in apartment fire on Thursday

Character designer and animator Norio Shioyama and his wife Tokiko passed away in an apartment fire on Thursday morning. Shioyama was 77, and his wife was 85.

A fire destroyed the couple's eighth-floor apartment in the 14-floor Misato Danchi apartment complex in Misato, Saitama Prefecture on Thursday at about 1:00 a.m. Shioyama was found deceased near the balcony of the apartment. His wife collapsed near the entrance of the apartment, and she was transported to a hospital. However, she passed away about two hours later. Police and the fire department are investigating the cause of the fire.

Shioyama was chief animation director and character designer for the 1983 Armored Trooper Votoms television anime series. He worked as animation director, character designer, and key animator for various original video anime (OVA) inspired by the series. He also designed characters for anime such as Legendary Armor Samurai Troopers, Panzer World Galient, and Ronin Warriors: Message. He is credited as the original creator, chief animation director, character designer, and key animator for the Eiyū Gaiden Mozaika OVA.

Shioyama attended Seattle's Sakura-Con convention in 2002.

Source: NHK News Web via Hachima Kikō