Hailed as the "Father of Gundam," Yoshiyuki Tomino holds an incredibly esteemed position in the anime industry. At 84 years old, he shows no signs of retirement, and while he's hinted that his physical capacity for creation might be waning, he remains deeply invested in the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series.
On April 29, the Japanese government unveiled its list for the "Spring Conferment of Decorations," confirming that Yoshiyuki Tomino would receive the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon." This prestigious honor acknowledges his monumental contribution in nurturing Gundam into one of Japan's most iconic works.
The "Order of the Rising Sun" awarded to Director Tomino is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation or public sphere, specifically recognizing those whose "achievements are particularly outstanding."
It's quite rare for an anime director to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Reflecting on the honor, Director Tomino stated, "I've always felt that anime directors are essentially behind-the-scenes workers, so to be recognized like this is truly wonderful. This is also the result of the hard work of all the staff members I've had the pleasure of working with." His words conveyed a deep sense of gratitude.
He also shared his hope to encourage young people, emphasizing that "even if you can't draw, you can still get involved in anime-related work," looking forward to more new talent joining the industry in the future. Even at 84, he proudly declared, "I still draw storyboards at home," continuing his hands-on creative process and embodying the true spirit of an anime master.
The official investiture ceremony and related award events for this year's "Spring Conferment of Decorations" are scheduled to begin on May 12. Fans can anticipate seeing Director Tomino accept his award and hear more of his insights then.
via： NHK