Tatsuo Yoshida

Tatsuo Yoshida an anime pioneer who founded anime studio Tatsunoko Productions. Born in 1932 Yoshida grew up in the hardship of wartorn Japan. A selftaught artist his first job was as working for local newspapers in Kyoto. After finding success as a manga artist in Tokyo including winning the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1972 for Minashigo Hutch in 1962 he founded Tatsunoko with his two younger brothers Kenji who took over Tatsuos position as producer after he died and Toyoharu a.k.a. Kuri Ippei. The studios name has a double Japanese meaning of Tatsus child and sea dragon which was the inspiration for its seahorse logo. Understanding the future of television Yoshida made the jump from print to the screen and found modest success with the anime racing series Mach Go Go Go. Once adapted to the English language market it would achieve Blockbuster status as Speed Racer around the world. Yoshidas magical talent for storytelling again found success with the action series Gatchaman also known as Battle of the Planets and Casshan now remade as the liveaction film Casshern. Though Yoshida Tatsuos brilliant career was cut short by his untimely death from liver cancer in 1977 Tatsunoko Productions has continued to partner with top creators to create additional hit series such as Macross Robotech Mospeada Generator Gawl Time Bokan and Karas. Source: AniDB