We are here to report the sad news of the passing of Yasuta Sato, founder of Takara (today known as Takara Tomy) and long-time chairman of the company. Mr. Sato founded Sato Vinyl in 1955, a small company that later became Takara Vinyl in 1960, and finally was know simply as Takara in 1966. Mr. Sato was chairman of the company from the beginning and during the crucial time when Microman and Diaclone toys became Transformers in the US by Hasbro and during the respective release of the toys in Japan. He retired from the company in 2001, long before the merge with Tomy in 2005.
NHK website confirms that Yasuta Sato “King Of Toys”passed away yesterday, he was 94 years old. A long life with great contributions to our beloved franchise. TFW2005 sends our thanks and warm wishes to the family of Mr. Yasuta Sato.
skylight
I cannot justify how late this is, but I have been meaning to say this ever since this post came up… Thank you for the start, Yusata-san. If it wasn\'t for you, the characters we\'ve come to love (and in some respects, hate), wouldn\'t be here today.
HeresAHint
RIP
ReximusPrimal07
Rip
Till all are one
MegaGeek
RIP
Aimless Misfire
That guy………right there……WAS FUCKING AWESOME!!! I've been collecting Transformers since day-1 in 1984. Thank you for all these awesome years. I collected all the shit from the 80's but I'll always consider myself a Transformers guy, Transformers has always been my favorite 80's toy line, I didn't even know it back in the day. But it's the only toy line I've stuck with. Back around the time GI Joe 25th fizzled out I swore off all toys except Transformers. Now that's all I buy.
Paxtin
You might be confusing him with Hideaki Yoke, the guy who designed the Perceptor toy.(Among others.)
I believe he's still alive, as far as I'm aware.
Hey, 'I' wasn't signaling nothing or said anything about being offended…Just making observations.
Slow your roll.
The Crazed Butt Stabber
Press [F] to pay respects
BoneheadsOfVoodooIsland
RIP
86mcss
RIP
Sixwing
RIP. Thank you for creating this franchise that has been such a big part of my life.
Niv3k
Rest in peace and thanks for everything!
Sovietbot
In tribute to the founder of their company, they are simply obliged to make the MP Perceptor.
B’Bantor
Salute
ssjkazer
Megatron118
RIP
oku
He died as a legend.
potAt0
Rest in piece my dude.
Repainted
R.I.P. Yasuta Sato & many, MANY thanks from this fan.
C.W. McConvoy
Very sad news.
I'm such a Takara fan that I actually have one of those Dakko-chan dolls!
Hadlen_Weltall
Thanks for making our fandom possible. Godspeed.