Japanese horror manga artist Kazuo Umezu passed away last week on October 28, 2024 at the age of 88. His close family and friends held a private funeral.
The artist was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer after collapsing at his home in July 2024. He had been living in hospice care since this past September.
Umezu was born in Koya in Wakayama prefecture on September 3, 1936, but was primarily raised in the city of Gojo in Nara. He made his debut as a professional manga artist at the age of 18 in 1955, working on the Hansel and Gretel-inspired manga Mori no Kyodai and Bessekai that were published under Tomo Books.
Heavily influenced by Japanese folktales, his manga often focused on horror elements, but he had also worked in genres such as science fiction (My Name is Shingo) and gag comedy (Makoto-chan), as well as contributing works in the shojo demographic such as Reptilia.
His most notable work, The Drifting Classroom, was published between 1972 and 1974, which won the 20th Shogakukan Manga Award. It inspired three live-action film adaptations.
VIZ Media recently made Umezu’s work available in English, crediting him with the name “Kazuo Umezz.” The company has licensed and released The Drifting Classroom, Cat Eyed Boy, My Name is Shingo, and Orochi.
Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs awarded Umezu with its “Commissioner for Cultural Affairs” award in March 2019, which honors “individuals who have made distinguished accomplishment in artistic and cultural activities.”
Anime Trending offers our sincere condolences to Umezu’s family, friends, colleagues, and fans.
Source: NHK News, The Japan News Obituary, Anime News Network
