Evangelion’s animator Shoichi Masuo (増尾 昭一) passed away at age 57 due to an unnamed illness on 24th July. The news was announced by his long term employer Studio Khara.
Shoichi Masuo became famous for being a key animator for TV anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion in 1995. He then developed a close partnership with the series’ father Hideaki Anno and had worked for every Evangelion spin-off. After his transition to Anno’s Studio Khara, he became the sole special effect director in the recent Rebuild of Evangelion movie series.
Anno and Khara have yet to decide on a successor to Masuo for the last Rebuild of Evangelion movie, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0.
▲ Original press release on Studio Khara website
rip shoi?