Leiji Matsumoto, Legendary Manga and Anime Creator, Dies Aged 85

The international manga and anime world is in mourning! The figure of a legendary artist and creator from Japan named Leiji Matsumoto died at the age of 85, due to heart disease. The creator of the TV series titled Space Battleship Yamato (global version, Star Blazers) is one of the pioneers of the space opera sub-genre as the forerunner to the growth of Japan Pop Culture!

Perhaps most of today's fans are not familiar with his works, but the influence of his creations will be remembered forever. Born with the name Akira Matsumoto, January 25, 1938, he also gave birth to a manga series titled 'Galaxy Express 999, which later also made a TV series.

Little Leiji Matsumoto was born and grew up during the war era until he was 7 years old when the world war ended. He started showing his passion for drawing since he was 5 years old, by watching cartoons made in the United States. At the age of 18, he decided to move to Tokyo to pursue the profession of a manga artist.

In fact, when he was 15 years old, Leiji released his debut work titled 'Mitsubachi no Boken', or Honey Bee's Adventures. His figure received widespread attention from the public when he created 'Otoko Oidon', in the 1970s, about the struggles of a poor young man trying to pass the university entrance exam.

He was married to Miyako Maki in 1961, one of early generation of female manga artist in Japan. Leiji is an artist who often emphasizes anti-war themes in her works. The animated series 'Space Battleship Yamato' depicts humanity's war against foreign invaders has become a pioneer of Japanese pop culture, and is claimed to be the pioneer of the anime series 'Gundam' and 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' which are popular today.

Apart from that, Leiji also collaborates with other artists such as Daft Punk, to produce masterpieces like 'One More Time', 'Digital Love', and 'Aerodynamic'. His name is also respectable in the eyes of the Japanese government, through the conferring of the title 'Knight of the Order of Arts', as well as a special state award from France government.