In 2009, it was announced that he would be working on a new project: ''[[Despera]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-05/lain-head-writer-director-joins-abe-on-despera|title=News: Lain's Head Writer, Director Join ABe on Despera (Updated)|publisher=Anime News Network}}</ref> Production was put on hold due to Nakamura suffering from an unspecified illness.<ref>http://s826.photobucket.com/albums/zz183/weils82/Miscellaneous/?action=view&current=desp1.jpg</ref> Following several months of hospitalization due to [[pancreatic cancer]], he passed awaydied on June 29, 2013. His death was announced nearly a month after.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serial Experiments Lain Director Ryutaro Nakamura Passes Away|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-25/serial-experiments-lain-director-ryutaro-nakamura-passes-away|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=July 22, 2014|date=July 25, 2013}}</ref>