Musician Takami Asano has passed away on May 12th. He was 68.

The news come from Asahi (via Anime News Network). He was discovered collapsed by his family, and later pronounced dead at hospital. A cause of death has not been publisized.

He was the founding member of the 1975 band Godiego, and acting as their guitarist and backing vocalist.

Band leader Mickie Yoshino said he had known Asano the longest out of all the band’s members, and was (in Anime News Network’s words) unbearably grief-stricken.

The band’s vocalist Yukihide Takekawa said he had lost a dear friend, and was praying for Asan’s eternal life. He had spoken to Asano on the phone only two weeks prior.

Takekawa said Asano was (in Anime News Network’s words) “an ‘almighty guitarist’ whose playing synchronized immediately with any of their songs, and a delightful friend.”

Asano also composed music for games including Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor, Chase H.Q., and S.C.I.: Special Criminal Investigation. He also created openings for anime films Galaxy Express 999, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, and the Silk Road Kids series.