She was the key animator on Princess Mononoke.

Animation luminary Makiko Futaki has died at age 57. She was instrumental in nearly every work done by iconic animation house Studio Ghibli, where she started working in 1981. Her final film for the studio was When Marnie Was There, which is likely their last film ever, considering directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata retired in 2014.

Futaki was not only the key animator on Princess Mononoke, she also worked closely on My Neighbor Totoro and Oscar winner Spirited Away. Her vision was revolutionary, especially exhibited in her non-Ghibli work, including 1988 cult classic Akira, on which she was the key animator.

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