Legendary Japanese anime creator Leiji Matsumoto famous for his creativity and artistic work died of heart failure at the age of 85, know his cause of death, age and wife
He was known for stories like “Space Battleship Yamato,” “Captain Harlock,” and “Galaxy Express 999,” which were turned into popular animated TV shows and movies in the 1970s and 1980s.
Leiji Matsumoto anime and manga creator cause of death, obituary, age, family, wife, movies and TV shows, art
Manga artist and animator Leiji Matsumoto died on February 13 and according to BBC News, the cause of death was acute heart failure. He was 85 and in a statement to the BBC, Matsumoto’s daughter Makiko Matsumoto said her father โset out on a journey to the sea of stars.
Matsumoto was born in Fukuoka, Japan, on January 25, 1938. He was a child during the Pacific War. His father was an elite army pilot, and he often talked about how sad war was. This made Matsumoto’s works have a theme against war. At age 18, he moved to Tokyo to try to make a living as a manga artist.
We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of Leiji Matsumoto, one of the greats of anime & manga. The list of what he created can feel almost endless, from Galaxy Express 999, Captain Harlock, to Space Battleship Yamato (Star Blazers.)
His work will continue to be loved. pic.twitter.com/E76leH7Gj5
— ๐ฟDiscotek Media (@discotekmedia) February 20, 2023
Most of Matsumoto’s manga was in the “battlefield comics” style, which had more than 150 stories about the tragedy of war. Matsumoto was deeply moved by his father’s message, “War should never be fought.” He often said that his work was influenced by his wish for people to never go to war and to live for the earth. Matsumoto’s works also showed how much he liked science fiction books by famous authors like Unno Juza and H.G. Wells.
Leiji Matsumoto was intrigued by science fiction
During his career, Matsumoto’s strange pictures of machines and space travel, like interstellar steam trains and battles with aliens who used radioactive meteorites as weapons, were seen all over the world.
I think I can safely say this movie changed my life, itโs stuck with me since Elementary school. RIP Leiji Matsumoto pic.twitter.com/QxN2RTFTAk
— yaffa (*ยดโฝ`*) (@maritimoid) February 20, 2023
In 1972, he made the dark comedy Western seinen series “Gun Frontier” for the magazine Play Comic. He also started a series of short stories about World War II called “Senjo Manga Series,” which later became known as “The Cockpit.” Matsumoto is known for his works like “Space Battleship Yamato” (1974), “Space Pirate Captain Harlock” (1977), and “Galaxy Express 999.” (1977).
Leiji Matsumoto has won many awards
The Shogakukan Manga Award was given to Matsumoto for “Galaxy Express 999” and “Senjo Manga Series.” Both “Captain Harlock” and “Galaxy Express 999” took place in the same universe. “Queen Emeraldas” and “Queen Millennia” are two spin-offs and related series that came out later. He was also in charge of making music videos for the popular band Daft Punk.
Rest well Leiji Matsumoto. ๐
He is the genius who gave us Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express 999, Queen Millennia, and many more.His body of work and influence beyond anime and manga is immense and will continue to live on for many generations. Thank you sir for everything. pic.twitter.com/8eZtDPRaRN
— ๐ผ RetroCrush ๐ (@retrocrush_tv) February 20, 2023
In 2012, the French government gave Matsumoto the prestigious Order of Arts and Letters for his work in manga and anime. He also got the Special Award from the Anime Grand Prix for his lifetime of work.
Matsumoto’s wife, Miyako Maki, is also a manga artist, so she will take care of their children. Matsumoto talked about living through the atomic bombing in an interview in 2013. He said, “personal experience is essential for a creative spirit.”ย Manga fans all over the world still think of Matsumoto’s work as a cult. He has left behind a legacy to remember.
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