Take our user survey and make your voice heard.
Akiyuki Nosaka, whose best-known novel "Grave of the Fireflies" served as the basis for Studio Ghibli's anime of the same name, has died at the age of 85.
Born in the city of Kamakura in 1930, Nosaka didn’t have an easy childhood. His mother died two months after giving birth to him. His adoptive father was killed in an air raid on Kobe in the closing months of World War II, and growing up Nosaka would also lose an older sister to illness and a younger one to starvation after evacuating their home.
Nosaka would channel the pain of these experiences into his semi-autobiographical novel "Grave of the Fireflies," which was published when the author was 37 and would be awarded the Naoki Prize for literature in 1967. While the novel has had limited exposure abroad, it was also adapted into an animated theatrical feature in 1988, which earned international acclaim for its powerful story, Studio Ghibli-produced animation, and direction by renowned anime icon Isao Takahata.
Nosaka suffered a stroke in 2003, and had been receiving convalescent care from his wife at their Tokyo home since then. On Wednesday morning, at roughly 10:30, Mrs Nosaka discovered that her husband was not breathing. The author was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical staff.
In addition to his wife, Nosaka is survived by his two daughters, both former members of the Takarazuka all-female stage troupe. The deeply respected writer’s passing brings great sorrow to fans of literature and animation alike, and its suddenness, like Nosaka’s signature work itself, is a solemn reminder of the preciousness of life.
Source: Nitele News 24
Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Studio Ghibli producer kills theory of death subtext in My Neighbor Totoro -- Studio Ghibli’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya nominated for Academy Award -- Our take on Studio Ghibli’s newest anime, When Marnie Was There
© Japan Today
4 Comments
Login to comment
Kuribo1
The Ghibli film makes me ball uncontrollably every single time. He wrote a very sad story. RIP.
smithinjapan
"...and its suddenness, like Nosaka’s signature work itself, is a solemn reminder of the preciousness of life."
Yeahhhh... well, not sure about the 'suddenness' of it given he was in convalescent care for more than 12 years after a serious stroke, but it is indeed, incredibly sad. His life in general -- or at least his youth -- is definitely a solemn reminder of the preciousness of life, though. There is very little sadder than "Grave of the Fireflies", and the man will always be remembered for that.
serendipitous
That's the Naoki Prize not the Noaki Prize.
CanuckNikkei
The film was heartbreaking. Rest in Peace Nosakasan.