An age difference is no barrier to romance, as long as you both love giant anime robots.
There are certain professions which seem to result in men marrying much younger women. Successful investment bankers and professional athletes spring to mind, but sometimes romance can bridge across age gaps in the anime industry as well.
Earlier this year, congratulations were in order for popular manga artist and character designer Kosuke Fujishima as he and cosplayer Nekomu Otogi, 31 years his junior, tied the knot. Now, wedding bells are ringing for fellow anime industry veteran Masami Obari, director and designer of mecha and characters who’s contributed to productions including Bubblegum Crisis, Detonator Orgun, Iczer-One, and Fatal Fury, in addition to the Super Robot Wars video game franchise.
On November 14, the 50-year-old Obari sent out a tweet announcing his marriage to 23-year-old Ritsu Togasaki, who shared a few photos of the special day.
https://twitter.com/ritu_is_gundam/status/798112710361694208▼ Obari mentions that the ceremony took place in Okinawa, a prefecture he has professional ties to.
突然ですが、皆さまにご報告がございます。
— 大張正己 /Masami Obari (@G1_BARI) November 14, 2016
私事ですが、私大張正己はモデラーの戸ヶ崎葎さんと入籍させていただき、本日無事、愛する沖縄で挙式しました！
今後は今まで以上に仕事に燃えつつ、僕にとって最高&最強のパートナーと2人で助け合い、幸せの雨をたくさん降らせたいと思います！ pic.twitter.com/3ZzJDZ4HOb
While it’s common for the entrance to wedding receptions in Japan to be decorated with teddy bears dressed like a bride and groom, they’re usually plush stuffed animals, not robots. This isn’t a case of Masami pushing his tastes onto his wife, though. Ritsu is a huge fan of anime robots herself, so much so that she’s become a well-known builder of plastic Gundam and other mecha model kits, and has built up a respectably large online following.
https://twitter.com/ritu_is_gundam/status/707794734081843200▼ Ritsu (right) poses with modeling writer Tomoe Ogoshi
ぷらどるの戸ヶ崎葎さん！静岡ホビーショー以来、久しぶりにお会いできました！:.｡☆..｡.(´∀`人) pic.twitter.com/JNBSglpXE4
— オオゴシトモエ (@ogoshi_054) August 24, 2014
In announcing their marriage, the newlyweds both pledged to continue supporting each other and “make showers of happiness rain down.” We’re not sure exactly what they’re referring to, but as long as they’re on the same page, their marriage should be off to a good start.
Source: Twitter/@G1_BARI via IT Media
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he holds that “Red Eyes” is the best episode of Bubblegum Crisis.
Perfectly made snow Totoro spotted by anime director in Japan’s frozen north
Famous action anime director’s latest stop on the comeback trail: bank ad with giant robots
Japanese idol creates kawaii Gunpla, the world’s cutest Gundam models【Photos】
There’s now a moving Gundam anime robot model that you can control with your brain【Video】
Bandai launches Gunpla Recycling Project to reuse Gundam anime model kit plastics
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Fives places around Japan to appreciate the plum blossoms this season
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Totoro and Kiki star in new Ghibli stationery collection
Yoshina invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Japanese city paints well-known prostitution street bright yellow, adds fish art【Video】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese netizens glad this rare Gundam accessory did not make it into plastic model kits
Newest Gundam anime robot model kit is made with green tea leaves, smells like green tea
This detailed Gundam “sketch” is actually an unbelievably colored 3-D model kit!【Photos】
This Gunpla builder designs amazingly life-like Gundam dioramas out of plastic model kits
This huge, detailed Gundam sculpture was built out of cardboard by Japanese high school students
Japanese man tells friend to wear suit to wedding party, so he comes as Mobile Suit Gundam
Awesome self-building Gundam model video shows every anime mecha fan’s dream come true【Video】
Woman fears dick pic when man suddenly sends picture of “his Gundam,” love story ensues instead
It’s not Gunpla, it’s Gunele! Witch from Mercury fan builds awesome Gundam Aerial from Legos【Pics】
Japanese stores create clever anti-scalper policies for Pokémon cards, Gundam model kits
These aren’t drawings – They’re amazingly painted anime models that look totally 2-D!【Photos】