We’ve learned some tragic news – Cowboy Bebop writer and Wolf’s Rain creator Keiko Nobumoto has died at 57, news confirmed via colleague and fellow anime writer Dai Sato.

Keiko Nobumoto has died at 57 on December 1st after a battle with esophageal cancer, and her family held a private funeral service on December 4th. Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe confirmed the unfortunate news to Dai Sato.

Nobumoto was born in Hokkaido on the 13th of March in 1964, and she originally graduated from Hokkaido Asahikawa Higher Nursing Academy and started work as a nurse. Later she began work as administrative staff at an anime production company, and then won the Third Fuji TV Young Scenario Grand Prix in 1989. She then began work as a screenplay writer.

While Nobumoto is primarily known for being the writer behind Cowboy Bebop and the creator of Wolf’s Rain, she also wrote the screenplays for Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Tokyo Godfathers, Macross, and even both live-action and stage productions. She was also scenario producer on Kingdom Hearts.

Later in life Nobumoto was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and after a long battle she was hospitalized at some point in 2021.

The Nicchiban staff wish that Keiko-san rest in peace after such a storied career and life. おくやみ もうしあげます.