Hiromitsu Morita, a veteran animator and director who shaped decades of Sazae-san episodes, died on June 4. Animation studio Eiken announced the news on Monday but did not disclose the cause of death.

Morita's career with Sazae-san spanned over two decades. He joined the production in May 2005 as a line director starting with the series' 5,648th episode, then stepped up to chief director in July 2011. His tenure ended when he voluntarily retired in March 2024.

Beyond Sazae-san, Morita's directorial credits included several other anime and specials. He worked on Heart Cocktail, Kobo-chan (serving as animation coordinator before becoming chief director), and its specials Matsuri ga Ippai! and Yakusoku no Magic D. His earlier directorial work included the 1996 Ijiwara Baasan anime and the 1997 Cello-Hiki no Gauche original video anime. He also directed episodes for The World of Narue, Tegami, and Ashita Kirarin.

Morita's death marks the passing of another key figure in Sazae-san's production history. The series itself, which debuted in 1969, remains one of anime's longest-running franchises and a cultural institution in Japan. With over 7,000 episodes produced, Sazae-san has relied on generations of animators and directors to maintain its consistent quality.

The anime community will remember Morita for his steady hand in guiding Sazae-san through significant years of production, helping maintain the show's warmth and humor across hundreds of episodes. His contribution to anime spans multiple beloved series, though Sazae-san will likely remain his most recognized legacy.