Today it's
time to talk about one of those news that hit hard, especially if you are one
of those who appreciate every visual detail of an anime. The ufotable studio
has just confirmed that Kazuo Ebisawa, one of its most veteran and
respected art directors, passed away at the age of 76 on April 14. Yes, the
same studio behind Demon Slayer and the immense Fate franchise
brings us this sad update that was only made public in the last few hours.
A visual
legacy that built the industry
Ebisawa was
not a novice; The guy was a true jewel of the industry and his work laid the
foundations of what we now consider undisputed masterpieces. Before joining the
ranks of ufotable, this gentleman lent his enormous talent to create the
amazing backgrounds of untouchable classics such as AKIRA and Nausicaä
of the Valley of the Wind. If you've ever paused one of these movies just
to appreciate the immense cyberpunk settings or the melancholic
post-apocalyptic landscapes, let me tell you, you were directly admiring their
art.
Once inside
ufotable, his versatility was more than demonstrated. On the one hand, he gave
us those dark and super dreamlike architectural spaces in the fourth chapter
of The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai). And on the other
hand, it changed register completely to give us the warmest, homeiest, and most
craving cuisines in the beloved spin-off Today's Menu for the Emiya
Family. Literally, the man could make you feel existential chills and,
after a while, hunger for a good plate of homemade food.
According
to the studio's official statement, the funeral was already held on April 20 in
a totally private way, only with his family and his closest circle. Respecting
the wishes of his loved ones, ufotable made it clear that no flowers or
financial donations will be accepted. It is a discreet goodbye, but its imprint
on the scenarios where our favorite characters live and fight remains forever
in the anime canon.
About
Kazuo Ebisawa
As is often
the case with many geniuses in the art and background design department, his
work sometimes went unnoticed by the casual viewer, but it was the absolute
pillar of the visual immersion of the work. From the monumental animated films
of the eighties to the cozier details of the modern Fate series,
Ebisawa proved that the environment tells as much story as the protagonists
themselves. His brutal versatility and attention to detail made him a silent
but gigantic reference of Japanese animation that new generations will continue
to study.
