Hideaki Hatta, president and chief executive officer of Kyoto Animation, has died at the age of 76. The studio confirmed on March 2 that Hatta passed away on February 16, 2026. His funeral and farewell ceremony were held privately with close relatives.
Shinichiro Hatta will take over leadership of the studio. A lawyer confirmed to Japanese media that Shinichiro is Hideaki Hatta’s eldest son.
株式会社京都アニメーション【お知らせ】https://t.co/riEl4uPhMB pic.twitter.com/yKuYrnyoAz
— 京都アニメーション (@kyoani) March 2, 2026
Kyoto Animation, often referred to as KyoAni, began as a subcontracting studio that specialised in colouring animation cels and did not initially have its own key animation staff. Many of its first employees were part-time housewives in Kyoto who were trained by Hideaki Hatta’s wife, Yoko Hatta. Over time, the studio built its own in-house production system, becoming known for training animators internally and maintaining stable employment structures within an industry often reliant on freelancers.
Under Hideaki Hatta’s leadership, Kyoto Animation grew into one of Japan’s most respected studios. It became known for detailed character animation, strong direction, and carefully paced storytelling. The company’s approach emphasised nurturing staff and long-term development rather than outsourcing large portions of work.
The studio’s major television works include The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-On!, Clannad, Free!, Violet Evergarden, and A Silent Voice. These titles helped define the studio’s reputation for expressive character work and emotional storytelling. A Silent Voice in particular received international recognition for its theatrical release and sensitive handling of its subject matter.
In 2019, Kyoto Animation suffered an arson attack at its Studio 1 building in Kyoto, resulting in the deaths of 36 employees and injuries to many others. The tragedy marked one of the darkest moments in the history of the anime industry. The studio later resumed production, with projects such as Violet Evergarden: The Movie and subsequent series.
Hideaki Hatta played a central role in shaping Kyoto Animation’s culture and long-term direction. His leadership oversaw the studio’s shift from subcontractor to fully independent producer of television series and films, as well as its expansion into publishing and merchandise.
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AloJapan.com