Joseph Luster
November 10, 2021 
The anime industry is mourning another loss this week with the announcement that director and animator Kinji Yoshimoto—known for directing series ranging from Arifureta – From Commonplace to World’s Strongest to Genshiken 2, Queen’s Blade: Beautiful Warriors, Kekko Kamen, and many more—has passed away at the age of 55.
According to Katsuyuki Tamura—a former mecha and effects illustrator, designer, and animator—Yoshimoto passed away on November 5. Other industry members expressing their condolences publicly included director and storyboard artist Yoshikazu Miyao, as well as art designers Hiroyuki Oyama and Toshinari Tanaka, among others.
In addition to directing projects, Yoshimoto oversaw scripts for Arifureta and many other series, and also worked as a key animator, storyboard artist, and character designer for classics like Dirty Pair, Crying Freeman, Royal Space Force – The Wings of Honneamise, and more. Yoshimoto wrote the original Plastic Little manga—with Satoshi Urushihara on art—and even storyboarded and directed the OVA that adapted the material.
Our condolences go out to Yoshimoto’s family, friends, and colleagues.
