 Acclaimed manga author Leiji Matsumoto died on February 13 at 11:00 a.m. due to acute heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo. He was 85 years old.Born Akira Matsumoto in Kurume, Fukuoka in January 1938, he began his career under his real name in 1954 with Mitsubachi no Bouken (Honeybee's Adventure) in Manga Shounen magazine. His breakthrough manga Otoko Oidon, serialized in Weekly Shounen Magazine, earned him the Kodansha Publishing Culture Award in 1972. Over the years, Matsumoto created multiple popular manga which inspired anime and live-action adaptations, such as Ginga Tetsudou 999 (Galaxy Express 999), Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock (Captain Harlock), and Queen Emeraldas. Matsumoto also co-created the Uchuu Senkan Yamaoto (Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato) anime series with Yoshinobu Nishizaki. In 2001, Matsumoto received the Medal with Purple Ribbon honor and was awarded with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2010. In 2012, he also received the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) decoration from the French government. Source: Nikkan Sports |
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| Im still in shock.... this is the worst news ive ever received in a really long time. I spent years dreading this moment. Everytime any mangaka/old anime person passed I was reminded of Leijis eventual fate, I knew this was going to happen. Its the end of an era and people dont live forever but it hurts.... so much. I seriously cant put it into words, My worse fear came true. I dont know when I will be okay again. It was only a month ago everything was perfect and normal and he was wishing us all a happy 2023 and was posting like usual. Now just in a blink of a eye hes gone. Life is so fragile. It hurts. Awhile back his latest cat Mii-Kun passed away, It is a relief to know he is with all of the Mii-Kuns hes adopted. |
TrypoFeb 19, 2023 10:07 PM
My Candies:  |
| Lately I've been interested in seeing some of his works. That's sad. Rest in peace, to a legendary author. |
| The absolute legend. You will be missed. |
| I wish Cowboy Bebop never existed. |
| RIP his anime really impressed me |
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| he is such a legend and a hardworker. he literally still have works announced until last year. space opera genre wouldn't be the same without his contribution. may he rest in peace, and sir, your works will be remembered for years to come. |
 "If taking responsibility for a mistake that cannot be undone means death, it's not that hard to die. At least, not as hard as to live on." |
| I will remember him mostly for creating Captain Harlock. May he rest in peace. He might be gone, but his works will live on, making him immortal as an artist. |
| May your soul Rest in peace. |
| "I think I wanted to attack something. Like betraying people or hurting people. And, well, it's not exactly nice, but hurting the readers too... In all honestly, I feel that's what I really wanted to do. For me, as a reader, when I think, "this manga will remain in my heart," it means, for example, it phenomenally hurt me: It's those kinds of experiences I'm after." - Pajime Hisayama (My favourite hurting author). |
| RIP, this is an immense loss. His impact cannot be overstated. Star Blazers was ground zero for anime fandom in the west. The first ever AMV was made from Star Blazers. The first anime con was for Star Blazers. |
| well at least it was someone actually old and not in their 50s or some young shit... tired of seeing that and i see its definitely a legend |
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| One of the last legends passed away... His works were some of the most influential for me as a child. In Hungary, only the Maeterlinck no Aoi Tori got released and cut into a movie. And there was Byeolnala Samchongsa, which isn't his work but very much based on and plagiarised it (Yamato, Harlock, GE999 mostly), which was also released in the old times when VHS smuggling was a thing across the Iron Curtain. Nevertheless, it laid the foundation for seeking out his works when I started watching anime. |
| May his soul rest in peace. He will forever be remembered for his inspiring work! |
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| Goodbye and rest in peace. You totally deseved it ... It's a stock ... |
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| I wonder how involved he was in USY remakes. USY2199 is one of the best speca operas out there and anime in general. Shame to see old storytellers go without anyone to pick up the torch. |
Ii tenki desu ne... |
| Rest in peace, legend. I think it is time for me to watch his such masterpieces as Galaxy Express 999 and Captain Harlock. |
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| RIP and thank you for your amazing works which inspired me and countless others, they will never be forgotten |
| Rest in peace legend. |
DatRandomDude said: Acclaimed manga author Leiji Matsumoto died on February 13 at 11:00 a.m. due to acute heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo. He was 85 years old.Born Akira Matsumoto in Kurume, Fukuoka in January 1938, he began his career under his real name in 1954 with Mitsubachi no Bouken (Honeybee's Adventure) in Manga Shounen magazine. His breakthrough manga Otoko Oidon, serialized in Weekly Shounen Magazine, earned him the Kodansha Publishing Culture Award in 1972. Over the years, Matsumoto created multiple popular manga which inspired anime and live-action adaptations, such as Ginga Tetsudou 999 (Galaxy Express 999), Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock (Captain Harlock), and Queen Emeraldas. Matsumoto also co-created the Uchuu Senkan Yamaoto (Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato) anime series with Yoshinobu Nishizaki. In 2001, Matsumoto received the Medal with Purple Ribbon honor and was awarded with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2010. In 2012, he also received the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) decoration from the French government. Source: Nikkan Sports RIP. We lost a great man. His influence defined a whole generation of not just anime, but science-fiction creators in general. Sail the Sea of Stars one last time, Captain... |
| Hot Blood saves lives. |
| May his wonderful soul rest in peace |
| He was one of the best anime creators.. RIP |
Jonathanmaximus  |
| One of the greats and a true legend. Because of him, Yamato 2199 exists and I really enjoyed that one. He was a true pioneer of science-fiction anime. o7 |
 staff.applications ▼ guidelines.faq ▼ report.abuse ▼ thx.skittles ▼ thx.kina ▼ [H+] ³ ▼ |
| Ginga Tetsudou 999 is one of the greatest sci-fi adventures and it isn't his only iconic work. Matsumoto was truly one of the OG legends, RIP! |
One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron |
| Rest in peace sir. |
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| Damn, R.I.P Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is one of my first space-opera anime and I really like it. I'm also interested in watching Galaxy Express 999 some day. |
| RIP he live a long life |
| Thank you for all the adventures. |
| Stay gold! 魔法よ魔法よ生まれておいで！ Sasuga Kasuga! Osaka fan club on MAL. Join us if you like Osaka-san! |
| Legend. Rest in Peace. SAIL THE SEA OF STARS, CAPTAIN o7 |
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| Rest in peace king, you will not be forgotten. |
| I don't believe it. I'm literally shocked. It's a very sad day for me. This man had a huge impact on me, from the moment I rented the "Arcadia of My Youth" VHS tape from my local video store back in the 90s. Captain Harlock was a hero of mine as a child. A friend recommended that I watch the 1978 Harlock series last night, and after all these years, I finally started it. I guess my friend read the news before I did. R.I.P. :( |
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| I actually got teary-eyed over reading about his death. So grateful to him for creating my beloved Captain Harlock. |
 "Are you intoxicated, or just insane?" |
| Eighty-five years is a heck of a life, especially with all he accomplished in that time. Still, Galaxy Express 999 is one of my favorite movies an older brother introduced to me before I even knew what anime was. My next rewatch will bittersweet; thankful Leiji Matsumoto shared his creativity with the world, sad at his passing. |
| REST IN PEACE LEGEND |
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| We will miss this great veteran mangaka!! R.I.P. :*** |
| I did not expect this. Rest in Peace. This man is legendary. |
| Leiji Matsumoto's passing really hurts. Star Blazers was one of my earliest anime, and even beyond that I was able to enjoy most of Matsumoto's works. Matsumoto was one of the classic manga pioneers. His works in general were romance adventure tales, often set in "the sea of stars" (his vision of space). He used warp theory. He had battleships and trains in space and had them filled with soldiers and travelers whose adventures were dramatic and timeless, as much as Star Trek's 60s Enterprise is nowadays with its space adventures. His characters were wonderfully human too: flawed and emotional, but strong and driven. The roster includes Captain Harlock, Emeraldas, Maatel, Juso Okita, Susumu Kodai, Yuki Mori, Dessler, and so many other memorable characters.     Matsumoto himself was an adventurer in his own right: he experienced World War 2, he travelled around the world before starting his manga career, he collected historical weapons, he shot game in Africa before it was made illegal, he rode Japan's last steam train. He lived a grand life, and that grandeur could be seen in his stories. Thank you for your work Mr Matsumoto. Farewell, and may we meet again someday. |
| I saw only one film, at the cinema. I remember feeling that this is what a good old piece of fantasy and science fiction is all about.... I had heard on the news from time to time that he was not in good physical condition, so I wasn't that surprised, but now I am filled with sadness. RIP |
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| Interstella 5555 was a piece of art, thank you sir. RIP |
| I have a few of his creations in my PTW. RIP, what a legend he was. |
| Gaming channel just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/cataorshane |
| Love most of what i have seen from him, big loss, RIP ! |
| RIP. We will meet again in the year 2199. Yamato, lift off! |
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| Rest in Peace sir. |
| Just heard the news yesterday. Farewell space pirate :( |
| :) |
| Rest in peace, legend. |
Bum Bum Dum Dum |
| Yesterday they’ve held a Farewell Event for him… he was very influential in his time https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230604_03/ Rest in Peace Sensei <3 |
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