Rest in Peace, Professor Robo

Taku "Professor Robo" Sato, who worked for Fewture Models as the sculptor and creator of the Getta Robo EX Gokin and many other highly regarded series of robot toys, passed away suddenly at his home in the early hours of Sunday, August 21st. The cause was a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 37.

I'm still in shock. When I spoke to him several months ago, what was supposed to be a thirty minute interview blossomed into nearly two hours as we sat and talked about our favorite robot shows and his design philosophy. He was absolutely thrilled that people in foreign lands appreciated his work. Halfway through our discussion he grabbed the Getter Three prototype and began gleefully driving it around the tabletop to demonstrate the rubber treads, making "robot sounds" all the while. This is how I will always remember him: as someone doing what he loved best.

From the excitement with which he hinted at future plans, it was obvious that he had many fruitful years of toy design ahead of him. We only reluctantly parted with a promise to get together again in the near future to see some of the other projects he was working on. It saddens me that we'll never have that conversation. The world was a better place with him in it, and my sincerest condolences go out to his friends, co-workers, and family.

Comments

[Krimpov]

I just read the interview again and this line struck me:

"I love sculpting things that are as faithful as possible to the original designs, so it's been difficult to inject my own personality into my work until now."

I realized that the getters were really his first personnal concept. (Based on someone else's design, but still, with his own twist, his own creative input.) I realized that, although he already had a nice CV, he was just starting his real career as a designer. He was just starting to really flex his creative muscles. And if the EX line is any indication, what a brilliant future he had in sight. No, he didn't cure cancer or sacrifice everything to rid the world of war and hunger, but he made kick-ass toys. And for that, I sincerly thank him. It's a great loss for the community. Hopefully, his work will inspire others to push their figures designs in new, bold directions...

other than Evangelion girls in slutty outfits with soft boobies, I mean.