Yasuyoshi Tokuma is a name you may not recognize. He was the head of Tokuma Shoten, a major publisher in Japan, and seeing as he was on the corporate side of things, we never really got to know him well. Nonetheless, Yasuyoshi Tokuma was the main reason we've been able to enjoy Miyazaki's masterpieces. In 1983, he decided to stray from his past experience in print media publication and try his hand at movie production. This wasn't just any movie, however, but a movie based on Miyazaki's manga Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Miyazaki's past financial failure with Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, his feature length movie directorial debut, did nothing to daunt Tokuma's decision in allowing him to direct Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Being afforded the opportunity to experience Miyazaki's work, the majority of which have been funded by Tokuma Shoten, is something we can all be thankful for. The effect of this contribution lives on even now, Yasuyoshi Tokuma having been an executive producer for the upcoming Miyazaki film Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi. He was truly a special individual with an eye for genius and the ability to inspire and bring that genius to its full potential.

In providing financial backing to artists like Miyazaki, Tokuma allowed them the freedom to make reality of their artistic vision. We should all remember that sometimes there are men behind the men who make the films. Yasuyoshi Tokuma was one of the best and we can only hope that more like him will encourage new artists to follow their dreams. Yasuyoshi Tokuma passed away last Wednesday in a Tokyo hospital at the age of 78.

Let us take a moment of silence to honor him and appreciate what he has done for anime.

You may see a listing of his credits, which include the production of films like My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke, here.