From the Studio Khara Twitter account, posted December 16, 2024:
Mitsuru Kashiwabara, who was in charge of the sound effects for Space Battleship Yamato, passed away on November 18th at the age of 91.
He created all the sounds for Yamato, such as the engine sounds and the firing sounds of the main guns and Wave-Motion Gun, and breathed life into the work with sound.
Thank you very much.
The photo was taken by Hideaki Anno when he and Ryusuke Hikawa visited Kashiwabara’s workplace in June 2017. We pray for his soul to rest in peace.
Of the sound sources left behind by Mitsuru Kashiwabara, the 6mm tapes of his major works such as Space Battleship Yamato were acquired by Studio Khara along with his favorite equipment and are being carefully preserved at ATAC [Anime Tokusatsu Archive Centre].
We will also preserve the sound effects of anime and tokusatsu for future generations.
Thank you, Mitsuru Kashiwabara.
This photo shows a group of 6mm tapes from the first project I worked on with Kashiwabara (Wings of Honneamise), which I found in his workspace. I was happy to hear familiar sound effects throughout. Among them, the sound effects when the rocket was launched, especially the metal creaking, were wonderful and amazing. Thank you again.
– Hideaki Anno
Photo from the official website of the Japan Media Arts Festival, Agency for Cultural Affairs
Sound effects engineer Mitsuru Kashiwabara dies at age 91
He was in charge of the sound effects for Space Battleship Yamato, including “engine sounds, main gun and wave gun firing sounds, etc.”
Posted December 16 on Oricon. See the original article here.
Sound effects engineer Mitsuru Kashiwabara, who was in charge of the sound effects for the anime Space Battleship Yamato, passed away on November 18th. He was 91 years old. It was announced on Studio Khara’s official Twitter account.
Khara reported, “Mitsuru Kashiwabara, who was in charge of the sound effects for Space Battleship Yamato, passed away on November 18th at the age of 91. He was the one who created all the sounds such as the engine sounds of Yamato, the main guns and wave gun firing sounds, and breathed life into the work with sound. Thank you very much.”
“The photo was taken by Hideaki Anno when he and Ryusuke Hikawa visited Kashiwabara’s workplace in June 2017. We pray for the repose of his soul,” they said in the tribute.
Hideaki Anno commented, “I was a big fan of Mr. Kashiwabara since hearing his memorable sound effects in Ambassador Magma. He has passed away. We had been preparing various projects related to Kashiwabara, and it seemed like we were finally going to be able to get them into shape, but we weren’t able to make it in time. It’s truly disappointing.”
“I think I first met Kashiwabara-san in October 2006, after being introduced by Tashiro-san of Group TAC. At that time, the three of us, including Tashiro-san, had a great time talking about anecdotes from the recording of Yamato and thanking him for letting us use the main gun firing sound in Nadia. After that, I had the opportunity to visit his workplace regularly with Hikawa-san. After he fell ill, I refrained from showing up. Just like with Noboru Ishiguro, I regret not going. Once again, I am very sorry.”
“I would like to preserve and pass on as much as possible the ‘wonder and interest of sound in images, not just pictures’ that Kashiwabara-san and the others made us feel. I still remember the way he spoke passionately with a smile about his thoughts on the sounds of Monaural, Stereo and 5.1CH. I would like to thank him once again. Thank you very much. I pray for your happiness in the next life. — A big fan of sound effects in anime and tokasatsu, Hideaki Anno.”
Mitsuru Kashiwabara profile
Born in Kochi Prefecture in 1933. Hoping to work in the film industry, he moved to Tokyo and graduated from Nihon University College of Art’s Film Department before joining Aoi Studio. After working on the sound effects for Astro Boy with Matsuo Ohno and Tetsuya Ohashi, he discovered the joys of sound production.
After that, he became independent as a freelance sound effects man. Blessed with the right production companies, directors, sound personnel, and projects, he has worked on the sound effects for many animated films. He has always tried to create the best sounds for each film, thinking about the tone of the project while valuing the spirit of handmade work, a playful spirit, and an emotional heart. Since the days when sound equipment was scarce, he repeatedly tried and tested to make up for the inconveniences, and created a wide variety of sound sources.
His major works include Yamato Resurrection: Director’s Cut (2012), Doraemon: Nobita’s Great South Seas Adventure (1998), Pom Poko (1994), The Wings of Honneamise: Royal Space Force (1987), Night on the Galactic Railroad (1985), Doraemon: Nobita’s Great Demon Adventure (1984), Unico: To the Magic Island (1983), Final Yamato (1983), A Zoo Without Elephants (1982), Farewell to Yamato (1978), The Tale of the Arctic Fox (1978), Sazae-san, The Laughing Salesman, and many more.
See his credit list at Anime News Network here
Read a 1996 interview with Kashiwabara here
Read a 2013 interview here