Tatsuo Yoshida was a self-taught artist who grew up in post-war Japan and went on to become one of anime's most influential figures. He's best known for founding Tatsunoko Productions alongside his brother Kenji, which became a powerhouse studio that shaped the medium during its formative years. His life ended tragically when he died of liver cancer on September 5, 1977, cutting short what would have been an even longer legacy in the industry.