One Piece/Dragon Ball Super Director Tatsuya Nagamine Dies at 55

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Both One Piece and Dragon Ball are hugely popular anime series known for their exciting stories, thrilling action, and well-developed characters. Toei Animation’s anime adaptations have been key to their success, bringing the adventures of the Z-Fighters and the Straw Hat Pirates to life. A vital part of making these epic battles happen was director Tatsuya Nagamine, who worked on both franchises. We are saddened to share that Nagamine has passed away at the age of 55.

Composer Kohei Tanaka announced the death of acclaimed director Tatsuya Nagamine on social media. Tanaka attended a memorial service for Nagamine at Toei Animation Studio and noted his significant contributions to the anime One Piece, describing his work as extraordinary. Tanaka fondly remembered their conversations, particularly Nagamine’s rapid-fire way of speaking, and expressed a wish to have heard it again.

Anime screenwriter Osamu Suzuki confirmed the passing of ONE PIECE FILM Z director Tatsuya Nagamine in a social media post. Nagamine passed away at the end of summer, and a memorial service was recently held. Suzuki was unable to attend the service due to a prior commitment, but received details from someone who did. He recalled first meeting Nagamine in 2010 and working with him on ONE PIECE FILM Z, noting that the film’s story was largely shaped by Nagamine’s ideas, and that his initial script proposal was ultimately revised based on the director’s suggestions.

Director Nagamine started with an idea from a former Navy Admiral, Mr. Z, and developed it into a full story outline. He was a very serious man – I remember he wouldn’t even crack a smile at first! There were moments I almost gave up, but after I finished the script and met with Director Nagamine, he completely surprised me. He bowed deeply and thanked me for my hard work, and I was moved to tears. I never told anyone, but it meant a lot. He was incredibly meticulous and dedicated everything to his work, even sacrificing his own well-being to make it perfect. It was truly inspiring to work with him.

I feel incredibly grateful to be alive and able to share this. It really makes you think. The director, Nagamine, asked me to write a song for the film – one that a character named Z would hum. I was so happy he liked the lyrics! The song is called “Kaido” (The Sea’s Guidance), and here they are:

Kaido
The sea is watching, the world’s beginning
The sea knows, the world’s end
So it beckons, toward the path we must take
So it guides, to the rightful world
It envelops pain, suffering vast and gentle, it envelops us
The sea is watching, the world’s beginning
The sea knows, the world’s end
Even if I were to vanish
The sea knows all, its guiding hand
don’t be afraid, because you are there
don’t cower, because your comrades await
We must press on, to that blue beyond
And so.

A big thank you to Director Nagamine for all his work. Let’s remember Mr. Z and raise a toast to him!

While Nagamine is famous for his work on One Piece and Dragon Ball Super: Broly, he contributed to many other anime series throughout his career. He also worked on popular shows like Digimon, Saint Seiya, HeartCatch PreCure!, and Dr. Slump, among others. His talent and contributions will be deeply missed by fans and the anime industry alike.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Tatsuya Nagamine during this difficult time.

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2025-11-13 17:41