Patlabor co-creator Masami Yuuki posted on twitter that veteran animator, Hiroki Takagi has now passed away. The animator was suffering from influenza before his passing, but his real cause of death remains unclear. Takagi passed away last 2nd February.

Before his passing, the animator was working on the Space Battleship Yamato 2202 anime film series. Character designer Nobuteru Yuki, who worked with Takagi in the films, also talked about the late animator on twitter. He said that they’re only halfway done on the anime film series, and Takagi’s passing left a big hole for the staff. Yamato 2202 assistant director Makoto Kobayashi also posted on twitter, and said that they will credit the remaining films as posthumous works for the late animator. He served as an animation director for both films.

Fans may know Takagi for his work in Studio Pierrot, particularly as an animation director for Bleach. He also worked on other anime such as Creamy Mami: Long Goodbye, Akira, Yu Yu Hakusho the Movie, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Takagi also worked on the Space Battleship Yamato 2199 series as well. May he rest in peace.