His name will live on in the historybooks of Japanese cinema. Akio Jissoji, a special effects filmmaker who directed the popular television series “Ultraman”, died of stomach cancer Wednesday. He was 69 years old.

 Jissoji was born in Tokyo, Japan and directed several cult classics such as 1998’s “Teito Monogatari” (doomed metropolis) and the 1970 classic “Mujo” (Transient Life). The film won the grand prix at the Locarno Film Festival.

Jissoji once worked for Tokyo Broadcasting Systems but quit to start his own production company. He directed operas and even wrote books such as the world famous “Ultraman Tanjo” (birth of Ultraman).

It doesn’t matter if your an Ultraman fan or not. Myself, I tend to be more of a Godzilla fan. But remembering the masters who came before us and their legacy is important. It is because of people like Jissoji and the imagination he brought that Japanese culture has been so prevelant in the world. And so for that, please allow me to say “Thank you. Thank you for sharing”.