Remembering Mutsumi Inomata: The Legacy of a Tales Series Artist

Renowned manga, anime, and video game artist Mutsumi Inomata, best known for her work on multiple games in the Tales series, has passed away at the age of 63. The news of her passing was shared on her official Twitter account by her younger sister, sparking an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues across the industry.

Inomata began her career as an artist and animator at Ashi Production, where she worked on various anime projects in the early ’80s. She later co-founded her own animation studio, Kaname Production, with a group of colleagues from Ashi. Her work can be seen in popular shows such as Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko, Windaria, City Hunter, and The Weathering Continent, among many others. In addition to her work in anime, Inomata also contributed art to the Dragon Quest series.

Internationally, Inomata gained recognition for her work on Bandai Namco’s Tales series, where she served as the character designer for 12 games in the franchise. Some of her notable contributions include Tales of Destiny, Tales of Eternia, and Tales of Xillia. Inomata’s distinctive art style and creativity helped shape the visual identity of the Tales series and garnered her a dedicated fan following.

Three of Inomata’s Tales games were released on Nintendo consoles, including the Japan-exclusive Tales of Innocence on DS, Tales of Hearts on DS (later rereleased on PS Vita), and Tales of Graces on Wii (which was later ported to PS3 in the West). Her collaborations with fellow character designer Kōsuke Fujishima on Tales of Xillia and its sequel showcased her versatility and talent in character design.

The news of Inomata’s passing has deeply saddened the gaming and anime communities, with many expressing their gratitude for her contributions to the industry. On behalf of the team and community at Nintendo Life, our thoughts are with Inomata’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Her legacy as a pioneering artist and animator will continue to inspire and resonate with fans for years to come.