Studio Ghibli Artist Michiyo Yasuda Has Passed Away

Michiyo Yasuda, animator and color designer for the legendary Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, has passed away at the age of 77, the BBC reports.

Yasuda was a frequent collaborator of Hayao Miyazaki. Her work appeared in some of his most famous films, including My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away, which won the 2003 Oscar for best animated feature.

She discussed her work for an in-depth interview with the L.A. Times. "Color has a meaning, and it makes the film more easily understood," she said. "Colors and pictures can enhance what the situation is on screen."

Watch a trailer for Spirited Away below.