Kodansha president Sawako Noma passed away on March 30 due to heart failure. She was 67. prior to her role as corporate president, Noma served as executive producer on the animated adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira. She is survived by her son Yoshinobu, who will take on the role of Kodansha's president next month.

We at Anime Dream extend our deepest condolences to Noma-san's family and friends.