Yūji Yanase, Director of In Another World With My Smartphone, Dies at 59 While Directing Two 2026 TV Anime

Veteran anime director Yūji Yanase has died at the age of 59. MAHO FILM officially confirmed the news on September 2, stating that Yanase passed away from myocardial infarction on August 22, 2026. The announcement came while two television anime he directed were still airing during the Summer 2026 season. Yanase served as director of The World’s Strongest Rearguard and The Insipid Prince’s Furtive Grab for the Throne, making his death particularly significant for the teams currently working on both…