Japan Names Director Rintaro a 2026 Person of Cultural Merit
The award recognizes Rintaro's television work, while his active role drafting Toei Animation's new Galaxy Express 999 film shows the honoree is still working on the franchise that made his name.
Key Facts
- Director Rintaro, whose real name is Shigeyuki Hayashi, is 85 years old.
- Rintaro is one of the Persons of Cultural Merit for fiscal 2026, a group Anime News Network counts at 20 and OtakuKart Anime counts at 21.
- Rintaro directed the 1979 Galaxy Express 999 film, Adieu Galaxy Express 999, and the Emeraldas special, and he wrote the original story draft for Toei Animation's new Galaxy Express 999 film.
- A ceremony in Tokyo is set for November 4, with the Order of Culture presented at the Imperial Palace on November 3.
Reporting from 2 sources: Anime News Network, OtakuKart Anime.
The Japanese government has selected director Rintaro as one of its Persons of Cultural Merit for fiscal 2026. Rintaro, whose real name is Shigeyuki Hayashi, is 85. The citation credits his contributions to the development of television animation through works such as Astro Boy. He directed the 1979 Galaxy Express 999 film, its Adieu Galaxy Express 999 follow-up, and the Emeraldas special, and he is handling the original story draft for Toei Animation's new film based on Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 franchise. His other directing credits include Harmagedon, X/1999, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, The Dagger of Kamui, Metropolis and Yona Yona Penguin. His autobiographical manga My Life in 24 Frames per Second won the Grand Prize at the 29th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and was nominated for Best Graphic Memoir at the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Madhouse congratulated him on its official X account.
Rintaro was born Shigeyuki Hayashi in Tokyo on January 22, 1941, and started at Toei Animation in 1958 before moving to Osamu Tezuka's Mushi Production. His television directing debut came with Astro Boy in 1963, and he worked directly with Tezuka on Kimba the White Lion and Phoenix: Karma Chapter.
The honoree count differs by outlet. OtakuKart Anime puts the total at 21 individuals and dates the government announcement to October 23. Anime News Network lists 20 honorees. OtakuKart Anime also reports a ceremony in Tokyo on November 4, with the Order of Culture presented at the Imperial Palace on November 3.
OtakuKart Anime places the Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto among this year's Order of Culture recipients, calling him the first person from the video game industry to receive that distinction. It also pairs Rintaro with a 2025 cohort context: Anime News Network notes that last year's Persons of Cultural Merit included Masako Nozawa, described as the first voice actor so honored, plus manga creator Keiko Takemiya, dancer and actor Min Tanaka, and playwright and actor Hideki Noda.
His most recent directorial work before the honor was the silent short Nezumikozo Jirokichi, his first directing job in 14 years, which screened at the 1st Niigata International Animation Film Festival in March 2023. Madhouse congratulated him on its official X account, citing Harmagedon and Metropolis.
Written with AI by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited. See our editorial policy.