Anime screenwriter Keiko Nobumoto has passed away. It was reported that Nobumoto passed on December 1 at the age of 57. The news was broken publicly by anime screenwriter and long time colleague, Dai Sato. According to Sato, she had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer a few years ago and passed away after a battle with the disease. It was also reported that Nobumoto had a small funeral service, which was held with close family members on December 4. Director Shinichiro Watanabe confirmed her passing to Sato.
She was born in the city of Asahikawa, in the northernmost main island of Hokkaido on March 13, 1964. Keiko Nobumoto has had a long career working on many series. She debuted as a scriptwriter by winning the Third Fuji TV Young Scenario Grand Prix in 1989. She also eventually wrote for live-action, animation, and stage productions. Nobumoto is most well known for working across a select number of hit titles, including writing the screenplay for Macross Plus, Tokyo Godfathers, and Cowboy Bebop. She also worked closely alongside Shinichiro Watanabe on Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy and Carole and Tuesday. Notably, she was scenario supervisor on the first Kingdom Hearts game.
Keiko Nobumoto also created the original concept for Wolf’s Rain an anime series produced by studio Bones. Wolf’s Rain spanned 26 episodes and 4 OVA episodes from January 2004 to February 2005. The series was directed by Tensai Okamura with character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto and a soundtrack by Yoko Kanno. It focuses on the journey of four lone wolves who cross paths while following the scent of the Lunar Flower and seeking Paradise.
Wolf’s Rain was well-received in Japan, being the third-ranked anime series in its time slot while airing on Fuji TV. The Bandai Entertainment English-language release sold well in North America.
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