Mangaka Kazuki Takahashi (real name Kazuo Takahashi and also known as Kazumasa), the man responsible for the successful franchise in Yu-Gi-Oh! was found dead last July 6, his body floating in the shallow waters off the coast of Nago City on Okinawa Island.
As reported by NHK, Takashi was found by the coast guards floating on the water, with his snorkeling gear still on. He was traveling alone and died from unknown causes while taking a swim in the sea. He was only 60 years old.
Takashi started his manga career in the ’80s, but it was only in 1996 when he really rose to fame in the manga industry, with his manga Yu-Gi-Oh!. The story revolves around a timid boy named Yugi, who one day solved an ancient puzzle that caused his body to have to play host to a mysterious spirit who has the personality of a gambler, an alter ego that manifests when Yugi needs help defeating evil forces in dangerous card games. The manga ran for eight years and became so successful that it created a whole media franchise – complete with spin-off mangas, several anime films, anime series, and video games. As a result of its immediate popularity, Yu-Gi-Oh! became one of the highest-grossing media franchises ever. The series, which mainly involves card games, became such a hit that it also inspired a trading card game that rivaled Pokemon.
Before his death, Takashi had still been active in the comics industry. The mangaka was still involved in the broader creative decisions involving Yu-Gi-Oh!, and he also had a collab with Marvel just a few weeks ago for a comic titled Marvel’s Secret Reverse, starring Iron Man and Spider-Man.
People on social media mourned the death of Kazuki Takahashi, honoring him as the person who brightened up many anime fans’ childhoods.
RIP Kazuki Takahashi. Thank you for giving me the greatest childhood ever and something that I STILL play today 🙁
— rhyme (@Rhymestyle) July 7, 2022
Rest in Peace, Kazuki Takahashi-sensei. Your manga has always and will always continue to inspire us for generations to come. We will take the messages you imparted onto the world through your art and live with them until we see you again. pic.twitter.com/7uOddKcky2
— Kazuki Takahashi (高橋 和希) Art (@TakahashiArtYGO) July 7, 2022
Animated by Kazuki Takahashi himself, we lost a legend that went beyond just drawing manga for his series pic.twitter.com/1v7gYHPXHC
— Jason Klum (@PokemanZ0N6) July 7, 2022
Rest in peace Kazuki Takahashi.
Your creation was the cornerstone of my childhood and my life today. And the lives of so many others around the world.
You will be forever remembered. pic.twitter.com/xROtqoCzZ6
— Team APS (@TeamAPS) July 7, 2022
Rest in peace, Mr. Takahashi. Your fans will be forever grateful to you for making their childhood awesome.
Other POP! stories you might like:
Twitter poll reveals Japan’s top animes of the decade
Travel back to your childhood with these 7 classic anime films
Don’t judge an anime by its title: 10 ‘weird’ animes worth watching
