Yoshihiro Nishimura, Japanese Horror Auteur, Dies at 59

Japanese filmmaker Yoshihiro Nishimura died at age 59, reportedly from liver cirrhosis after a two-week hospital stay. The death was first reported by French horror YouTuber Azz and later confirmed by Robert Rhine of Girls and Corpses Films, the co-producer of Nishimura’s unfinished feature *Geisha War*. No exact date of death was disclosed.

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59

Over three decades, Nishimura earned the nickname “the Tom Savini of Japan.” He began making shorts as a teenager, studied law, and returned to film with *Anatomia Extinction* (1995), which became the cult hit *Tokyo Gore Police* (2008). The film’s graphic gore earned nominations for Best Film and a Tom Savini Award for Best Makeup. Later works—including *Helldriver*, *Meatball Machine Kodoku*, *Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl*, *Mutant Girls Squad*, and the “The Hell Chef” segment in *The Profane Exhibit*—solidified his role in the J-splatter scene. His blend of practical effects and black comedy influenced filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and built a worldwide cult following.

Yoshihiro Nishimura, the “Tom Savini of Japan” and Director of ‘Tokyo Gore Police’, Dead at 59

Actress Eihi Shiina described Nishimura as a supportive yet shy collaborator, noting their shared travels and frequent reconciliations after arguments. Producer Robert Rhine said he was devastated by Nishimura’s sudden loss, recalled a Zoom call with the director two weeks before his death, and pledged to complete *Geisha War* in his memory.

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59

• “I will be finalizing Geisha War in Nishimura's memory, and we will find a great distributor for this amazing film, Nishimura's last, to show to the world.” — Robert Rhine, Producer, Girls and Corpses Films

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59

• “I am devastated by the sudden loss of my great friend Yoshihiro Nishimura who only two weeks ago was on a live Zoom call with us following the screening of our film Geisha War,” — Robert Rhine

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59

• “I have countless memories of Nishimura — both good and bad — too many to recount. We met on the set of Tokyo Gore Police, and since then, Nishimura and I have traveled the world together, working on various projects... Nishimura and I had argued many times over the years, but we always made up in the end.” — Eihi Shiina, Actress

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59

• “That was because he always believed in me and loved me dearly. In a sense, perhaps our relationship was like that of family. But our final argument ended without us ever making up. Goodbye, Nishimura. If we ever meet again, let's talk about the journeys we’ve each been on while we were apart, and let’s be friends again.” — Eihi Shiina

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59

Sources uniformly cite liver cirrhosis as the cause of death, but no medical record is provided. The exact date of Nishimura’s passing is not disclosed.

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59

Robert Rhine confirmed that *Geisha War* will be completed posthumously and that a distributor is being sought. No release schedule has been announced.

Tokyo Gore Police Director Yoshihiro Nishimura Dead at 59