Renowned Japanese manga artist Kazuo Umezu, known for his influential horror works and iconic red-and-white-striped shirt, passed away on October 28, 2024, at the age of 88. His death was announced by his publisher, Shogakukan Inc., on November 5, 2024.
A Prolific Career in Manga
Born in 1936 in Wakayama Prefecture, Umezu grew up in neighboring Nara Prefecture. He began drawing cartoons in the fourth grade and made his professional debut as a manga artist while still in high school in 1955.
Throughout his career, Umezu created numerous influential works across various genres:
Horror Manga: Umezu gained fame in the 1960s with horror manga such as “Hebi Shojo” (Reptilia) and “Nekome Kozo” (Cat Eyed Boy). His contributions to the genre earned him the title “god of horror manga“.
Science Fiction: In 1972, Umezu started the “Hyoryu Kyoshitsu” (The Drifting Classroom) series, which depicts elementary school students transported to a devastated future world. This work, along with others, earned him the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1975.
Comedy: His gag manga series “Makoto-chan” became a social phenomenon, with children across Japan imitating the main character’s iconic “gwash” hand gesture.
Legacy and Recognition
Umezu’s impact on the manga industry and popular culture extended beyond his published works:
- In 2018, his science fiction manga “Watashi wa Shingo” (My Name is Shingo) received the Heritage Award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival.
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan honored Umezu with its Commissioner for Cultural Affairs award in March 2019.
- His most recent work, “Zoku Shingo: Chiisana Robot Shingo Bijutsukan,” a series of 101 acrylic paintings, debuted in January 2022 and earned him a special prize at the 27th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize awards in 2023.
A Unique Personality
Umezu was known for his distinctive appearance, often seen wearing his trademark red-and-white-striped shirt. In 2007, he made headlines by painting his house in Tokyo with the same striped pattern, sparking some controversy among local residents. After retiring from regular manga publishing in 1995 due to tendinitis, Umezu became a popular television personality and even released music albums. Kazuo Umezu’s passing marks the end of an era in Japanese manga. His innovative storytelling and unique artistic style have left an indelible mark on the industry, influencing generations of manga artists and entertaining readers worldwide.
Source:- Aashi.com
