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The anime industry lost a long-treasured gem as Ryou Kouno, a talented art director, passed away recently. Kouno has been in the anime industry for decades and has made significant contributions during her career. News of her passing away has been received by fans with grieving hearts.
She was a part of popular works likeMob Psycho 100, DEVILMAN Crybaby, Perfect Blue,and many more. Her easy adaptability to such widely different art styles made her a favorite in her field.
Talented Art Director Ryou Kouno Passes Away
Ryou Kouno, a popular background artist and art director in the anime industry, passed away on June 06, 2025. News of her death was publicly revealed two days later, on October 26, by hernephew via Twitter. Her nephew also reported that she passed away due to suspected gastrointestinal bleeding.
Fans of the artist have commented their condolences under the post, and it seems like no one was ready for the loss of such a huge talent. The death was sudden and unexpected, which led her family to plunge into grief. Fans have expressed their heartfelt thanks to her nephew, who took time out of his grief-ridden period to inform the world of the loss.
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Kouno passed away at the age of 61 and was a visionary artist who had made significant contributions to the anime industry at large. Her illustrious career spanned several decades, and her vision shaped the styles of many prolific anime. From popular anime series to renowned movies, Kouno had contributed to significant works of art.
Ryou Kouno’s Death has Left an Irreparable Scar on the Anime Industry
Ryou Kounno had an impressive history as an art director. She served as the art director for all three seasons ofMob Psycho 100,which had earned her significant praise. She was also the art director ofParanoia Agent, Super Crooks, both seasons ofSpace Dandy, Carole & Tuesday, Kemonozume, The Rolling Girls, and more notably,DEVILMAN Crybaby.
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She also had an illustrious career as a background artist. Some of her works have been included inKids on the Slope, thePsycho-Passmovie,Perfect Blue, A Wind Named Amnesia, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Ninja Scroll, X Movie, Cardcaptor Sakura The Movie 2and many others.
Kouno was also known for her long-standing collaboration with famous director Masaaki Yuasa. Their collaboration began in 2006 withKemonozumeand continued in projects likeKaibaandThe Tatami Galaxy.Throughout her career, she adapted to different art styles and unique narratives, which made her a valuable asset to the anime industry. Her nephew has stated that every title that Kouno worked on was a source of pride for their family.
Aaheli Pradhan
Anime Content Writer
Articles Published :1558
Aaheli is an Anime Content Writer at FandomWire with 1300+ published articles. With five years of experience under her belt, she is a living, breathing encyclopedia for anime and manga. From Shonen and Shojo to the most niche anime, nothing escapes her radar. Her poisons of choice are Assassination Classroom, Gintama, Ouran High School Host Club and every Ghibli movie ever. She believes in living a slow life, surrounded by incomplete art projects and her beloved cats.
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Mob Psycho 100
