Anime News Network reports that producer and animator Hiroshi Kakoi passed away during the earthquake that hit Japan on March 11. Kakoi-san was the producer for The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again and Moldiver, among other titles. In addition, he served as a key animator for several titles at anime studio Artland in the 1980s, including the original The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and the 1980 update of Astro Boy. Kakoi-san is survived by his wife, Kumiko.

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