Kazuo Umezu was a longtime manga artist who was sometimes called the “god of horror” over the course of his decades creating works like “Reptilia,” “The Drifting Classroom,” and “My Name Is Shingo.”
- Died: October 28, 2024 (Who else died on October 28?)
- Details of death: Died in Japan of stomach cancer at the age of 88.
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Kazuo Umezu’s legacy
Umezu began his career as a manga artist in 1955 while in still high school, and at first his work was similar to anyone else’s. That creativity took a turn in the 1960s, however, when he began writing and drawing manga such as “Hebi Shojo” (called “Reptilia” in English) and “Nekome Kozo” (“Cat Eyed Boy”). These comics featured dark imagery and themes, terrifying monsters, and other elements of horror, setting them apart from the adventure stories they were shelved beside.
His influence kicked off a revolution in manga, leading to Umezu becoming known as “god of horror manga” and setting the stage for a noted career that would span decades. In the years to come, works like “The Drifting Classroom” would win awards and accolades, while the more lighthearted “Makoto-chan” weekly comic proved he could work in varied tones and genres.
The visionary Umezu created other memorable works, such as “My Name Is Shingo” and “Fourteen,” before largely retiring from manga in 1995 due to tendinitis. He remained a public figure, however, known for television appearances in his recognizable red and white striped shirt.
Umezu has been given the Shogakukan Manga Award, the Prize for Inheritance at the Angoulême International Comics Festival, a Commissioner for Cultural Affairs award, and other honors. He is now recognized as an important influence on the development of manga.
Tributes to Kazuo Umezu
Full obituary: The Japan Times
