A bit of a personal one this, but I know there are other anime fans on the forum.
Isao Takahata, The Japanese anime director, has died at the age of 82. He was also a co-founder of the legendary Studio Ghibli - often referred-to as the "Japanese Disney".
Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata dies at 82
As a director, Takahata was best known for "Grave of the Fireflies", however this little beauty is the film he got an Oscar nomination for: