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
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Japan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
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
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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】