Avant-Garde Anime and Manga Creator Yōji Kuri Dies at 96

Anime director, artist, and manga-ka Yōji Kuri passed away on November 24, 2024, at the age of 96 due to natural causes. The news was shared through his official Facebook page and website following a private wake and funeral service held by his family.

Early Life and Career

Born as Hideo Kurihara in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, in 1928, Kuri defied his parents’ wishes to pursue a career in art. Inspired by newspaper manga artist Taizo Yokoyama, he moved to Tokyo and earned a degree in art from Bunka Gakuin in 1956. Kuri began his career creating single-panel satire cartoons for Kyodo News, earning the Bungei Shunju Cartoon Award in 1958 and a Special Prize at the Nika Exhibition for Western-style artists (yoga).

In 1960, Kuri joined forces with Hiroshi Manabe and Ryohei Yanagira to form the “Animation Group of Three,” launching the Sogetsu Animation Screenings in Tokyo.

International Success

Known for his pioneering pop-art-inspired works, Kuri gained international recognition during the 1960s with award-winning short films such as Human Zoo, LOVE, The Button, FLOWER, The Room, and Au Fou!, which received accolades at prestigious festivals including Annecy, Venice, Oberhausen, and Locarno. His works also aired on Nippon TV’s 1 1 PM program in the Mini Mini Animation segments.

The 1970s featured his celebrated shorts such as The Midnight Parasites, POP, and MANGA on international festival circuits. During the 1980s and 1990s, Kuri was honored with solo exhibitions and retrospectives, with his own Gallery K established in his hometown of Sabae.

Notable Works and Contributions

Kuri’s experimental short films, including Tragedy on the G-String and Imagination in the Trousers, stand out as highlights of his career. His picture book Gokiburi-chan inspired a 2005 anime series. Kuri also collaborated as an animator on notable works such as The Room and Winter Days.

Awards and Honors

In 1982, Kuri was awarded Japan’s Medal of Honor with Dark Blue Ribbon, followed by the Purple Ribbon in 1992 and the Order of the Rising Sun in 2011. He also received lifetime achievement awards from the Annecy Festival (ASIFA Prize), the Tokyo International Anime Fair, and the Zagreb International Animation Festival. In 2018, he served as the Honorary President of the Hiroshima International Animation Festival.