Japan has honoured legendary anime director Rintaro as one of its 20 Persons of Cultural Merit for 2026, recognising a career that helped shape television animation. The honour celebrates his work on classics including Galaxy Express 999 and Astro Boy, and places him among the country’s most respected cultural figures.
Rintaro (Credits: Kawade Shobo Shinsha)
Born Shigeyuki Hayashi, Rintaro is now 85 and remains active in animation. He is credited with helping develop television animation through landmark projects, working alongside pioneers who built the medium from its earliest days into the global art form it is today.
Rintaro Galaxy Express 999 films defined a generation
Rintaro directed the 1979 Galaxy Express 999 film, along with Adieu Galaxy Express 999 and the Galaxy Express 999: Emeraldas: The Eternal Warrior special. He is also in charge of the original story draft for Toei Animation’s new anime film based on Leiji Matsumoto’s Galaxy Express 999 franchise, keeping his connection to the series alive decades after he first brought it to the screen.
Beyond that franchise, his filmography reads like a tour of anime history. He directed Harmagedon, X/1999, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, The Dagger of Kamui, Yona Yona Penguin and Metropolis, and personally worked with Osamu Tezuka on Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Phoenix: Karma Chapter.
Still creating at 85
Rintaro has not slowed down. His silent short film dedicated to Sadao Yamanaka, his first directorial work in 14 years, screened at the first Niigata International Animation Film Festival in March 2023. His autobiographical manga, My Life in 24 Frames per Second, launched in January 2024 and went on to win the Grand Prize at the 29th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize awards, with a nomination for Best Graphic Memoir at the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.
The 2025 Persons of Cultural Merit honorees included Masako Nozawa, the voice of Dragon Ball’s Son Goku, who became the first voice actor to receive the honour, alongside manga creator Keiko Takemiya. Rintaro’s selection continues that recognition of the artists who built Japanese pop culture.
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Source: Anime News Network — read the full story there.
