Madhouse animation director Cindy Yamauchi reported that director Takuji Endo passed away on Wednesday morning. He was working on Disney's Stitch! in Korea when he fell ill, and died shortly afterwards.

Endo originally began his career at Toei Animation, before moving to Madhouse. His first major title at Madhouse was Record of Lodoss War, in 1990. From Lodoss, Endo went on to direct a number of popular titles, including X (feature film), WXIII: Patlabor The Movie 3, and Space Pirate Captain Herlock: The Endless Odyssey.

The staff at Anime Dream offers its deepest condolences for the friends and family of Endo-san.