Izuru Narushima, Director of Rebirth and Screenwriter of The Boy Who Saw the Wind, Dies

Director and screenwriter Izuru Narushima passed away on August 24, 2026, at the age of 65. The news was announced on August 28 by his agency, Jingumae Produce, which noted that the funeral was held with family only, per the filmmaker's express wish.

Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1961, Narushima debuted as a screenwriter in 1994 with Osaka Gokudō Sensō: Shinoidare and as a director in 2004 with Yudan Taiteki. His breakthrough came with Yōkame no Semi (Rebirth), an adaptation of Mitsuyo Kakuta's novel that won 10 Japan Academy Awards in 2011, including Best Picture and Best Director.

In anime, he worked as a screenwriter on the film The Boy Who Saw the Wind (2000). His filmography also includes Solomon's Perjury, Cape Nostalgia, Isoroku, Midnight Eagle, The Lone Scalpel and Father of the Galactic Railroad (2023), inspired by the life of Kenji Miyazawa.

The agency thanked fans, actors, and collaborators for their support and asked that the family's privacy be respected, declining condolences, flowers, and visits to the home.

Originally published on Anitsu by Marcos López. Text reviewed and fact-checked for DonOtaku on November 5, 2026; the original date is retained.