Yoshinobu Nishizaki

Died: November 7, 2010 (aged 75)

Yoshinobu Nishizaki was best known as the co-creator of Uchuu Senkan Yamato. He was a graduate of Nihon University Art Department.

In 1994, he designed Yamato 2520, but he was sued by Leiji Matsumoto for breach of copyright. Nishizaki declared bankruptcy in 1997.

In 1999, he was arrested for gun and drug offences (among them 30 howitzer shells).

Nishizaki died from drowning after falling from a research steamboat, ironically named Yamato, into the sea near Chichijima island.

(Source: AniDB)