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Tatsunoko Production Co-Founder Ippei Kuri Passes Away
posted on by Alex Mateo
Ippei served as CEO, character designer, director, producer
![ippei-kuri](/thumbnails/max650x650/cms/news.6/200467/ippei-kuri.jpg)
Kuri was born on January 1, 1940 in Kyoto. He co-founded Tatsunoko Production with his two brothers in October 1962. He was the youngest of the three "Yoshida brothers." He served as CEO from 1987 to 2005.
Kuri served as a character designer on Judo Boy, Gatchaman The Movie, Space Ace, Toshi Gordian, and Robotech II: The Sentinels. He was a director on Judo Boy, Speed Racer, and Decision. He was a producer on Gatchaman, Samurai Pizza Cats, and Tekkaman Blade II, among others.