Yamato Director Toshio Masuda Dies at 98
Toshio Masuda, who directed the first Space Battleship Yamato film and shaped the franchise, died Aug. 26, 2026, in Tokyo at 98.
Toshio Masuda, the director who helped bring Space Battleship Yamato to the big screen and remained a guiding force in the franchise for decades, died on Aug. 26, 2026, at a hospital in Tokyo. He was 98.
Born in Kobe on Oct. 5, 1927, Masuda graduated from Osaka University of Foreign Studies in 1949 and made his directorial debut in 1958 with Journey of the Mind and Body. At Nikkatsu, he directed more than 25 films starring Ishihara Yujiro before leaving the studio in 1968.
Masuda joined the staff of the Space Battleship Yamato TV series in 1974, the anime based on Leiji Matsumoto's manga. He went on to direct the franchise's first theatrical installment in 1977, followed by Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato (1978), Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage (1979) and Be Forever, Yamato (1980). He co-wrote the 1983 film Final Yamato and served as General Supervisor on Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection (2009).
The franchise remains active. The 2012 reboot series Space Battleship Yamato 2199 and the original series are both available on Crunchyroll, while Be Forever, Yamato: REBEL 3199 continues with Chapter 7: Rainbow Samsara set to premiere in Japanese theaters on Oct. 30, 2026.
Masuda's death was reported by cbr.com.
Quick answers
How old was Toshio Masuda when he died?
He was 98. He died on Aug. 26, 2026, at a hospital in Tokyo.
Which Space Battleship Yamato films did Toshio Masuda direct?
He directed the franchise's first theatrical installment in 1977, Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato (1978), Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage (1979) and Be Forever, Yamato (1980). He co-wrote Final Yamato (1983) and was General Supervisor on Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection (2009).
Where can I watch Space Battleship Yamato?
Space Battleship Yamato and the 2012 reboot Space Battleship Yamato 2199 are available on Crunchyroll.