The picture shows the Japanese manga artist Reiji Matsumoto. (Kyodo)
[Kyodo News Agency, February 20]Japanese cartoonist Reiji Matsumoto (real name Sheng) died of acute heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo at 11 am on the 13th at the age of 85. Matsumoto is a native of Fukuoka Prefecture and has created well-known works such as “Space Battleship Yamato” and “Galaxy Railway 999”. The farewell ceremony is only attended by relatives. The mourner was his wife, manga artist Miyako Maki. A farewell party will be held at a later date.
Matsumoto’s “I Am a Man” serialized in the magazine since 1971 described the poor boarding life of young people in Tokyo and was very popular.
The animation “Space Battleship Yamato” series, which began broadcasting on TV in 1974, created an opportunity for the subsequent animation boom. His representative works “Galaxy Railway 999” and “Space Pirate Harlock” were also made into animations, becoming phenomenal works. (over)
