Yoichi Kotabe

About

Animator and character designer best known for his work on Super Mario and Pokémon. He worked with Nintendo as a character designer, illustrator, and supervisor. 

Before fame

He attended the Tokyo University of the Arts. He watched Momotarō no Umiwashi as a child, which led him to become interested in animation. 

Trivia

In 2015, he was celebrated at the 19th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards and given a Special Achievement award. He was also awarded at the Tokyo Anime Fair 6th Annual Awards of Merit in 2009 and given the Animator/Animation Director award.

Family life

He is from Japan. He married Reiko Okuyama in 1963.

Associated with

He has worked alongside Shigeru Miyamoto.