Yoshifumi Kondou

Kondo was expected to become one of the top directors at Studio Ghibli. However, he died of an aneurysm in 1998 at 47. His death is said to have been caused by work excess, and seems to be the main reason for Miyazaki's announcement of retirement in 1998. Although, in the end, Miyazaki didn't retire, but Kondō's death seems to have influenced Miyazaki to work at a more relaxed pace.