Manga Author Leiji Matsumoto Dies at 85

by DatRandomDude
Feb 19, 2023 9:42 PM | 49 Comments

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

Life Event

20 of 49 Comments Recent Comments

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

Jun 4, 2023 3:25 AM by KingOfMAL

Rest in peace, legend.

Feb 27, 2023 9:41 PM by malvarez1

Just heard the news yesterday. Farewell space pirate :(

Feb 24, 2023 1:11 PM by JetJaguar64

Rest in Peace sir.

Feb 21, 2023 2:37 PM by Hirax

RIP. We will meet again in the year 2199. Yamato, lift off!

Feb 21, 2023 12:37 PM by Lomien

Love most of what i have seen from him, big loss, RIP !

Feb 21, 2023 12:26 AM by ExoticBankai

I have a few of his creations in my PTW. RIP, what a legend he was.

Feb 20, 2023 11:24 PM by CataOrShane

Interstella 5555 was a piece of art, thank you sir. RIP

Feb 20, 2023 8:58 PM by HueBrDeus

He was young at heart.

Feb 20, 2023 8:20 PM by almightybismarck

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

Feb 20, 2023 5:20 PM by kihel

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.

Feb 20, 2023 4:28 PM by Haneken2086

rest in peace Leiji Matsumoto, my favorite mangaka of all time
SAIL THE SEA OF STARS o7

Feb 20, 2023 2:57 PM by Ghostgourd

RIP LEIJI. Truly a unique story teller in class of his own. I haven't watched or read all your work but galaxy express 999 is one of the greatest animes I've watched. Thank you for getting through a rough patch with that anime. RIP LEGEND.❤️‍🩹💔

Feb 20, 2023 12:08 PM by Jason_Kandahq_9

I did not expect this. Rest in Peace. This man is legendary.

Feb 20, 2023 11:28 AM by InfiniteGaia

We will miss this great veteran mangaka!! R.I.P. :***

Feb 20, 2023 11:10 AM by PrincesaLuminosa

REST IN PEACE LEGEND

Feb 20, 2023 10:54 AM by Sakuta002766

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.

Feb 20, 2023 10:02 AM by Teufel

I actually got teary-eyed over reading about his death. So grateful to him for creating my beloved Captain Harlock.

Feb 20, 2023 9:15 AM by Ittan_Momen

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. :(

Feb 20, 2023 9:01 AM by _-_Sally_-_

Rest in peace king, you will not be forgotten.

Feb 20, 2023 8:43 AM by mazuchi

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