Ryou Kouno, the distinguished art director known for her contributions to numerous acclaimed projects, including Mob Psycho 100, died on October 23.
Kouno died due to suspected gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a post shared by her nephew Akira Kouno on her official X (formerly Twitter) account. He expressed the family’s pride in her legacy, writing, “Each project she worked on was a source of pride for our family,” and thanked the community for their support, adding, “We deeply appreciate the kindness shown to her during her lifetime.”
Born Hiromi Kouno in Tokyo, she began her career in the anime industry as a background artist for the Sayonara Ginga Tetsudou 999: Andromeda Shuuchakueki (Adieu Galaxy Express 999) movie in 1981. Following her role as an art assistant for Genma Taisen (Harmagedon), she went on to work extensively with Madhouse, contributing to a wide range of the studio’s projects.
Her reputation as a trusted collaborator of director Masaaki Yuasa led to her serving as the art director for his critically acclaimed works Kemonozume, Kaiba, and Devilman: Crybaby. She also worked as part of the art teams for Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei (The Tatami Galaxy) and Shin-Men, solidifying her status as a versatile and visionary artist.
Some of Kouno’s notable credits include Metropolis, Mousou Dairinin (Paranoia Agent), Space☆Dandy (Space Dandy), Carole & Tuesday, and background art for Beck (Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad) and Perfect Blue.
Source: Sponichi Annex