Forum Settings
Forums

Kazuo Umezu, Legendary Manga Creator and Horror Pioneer, Dies at 88

New
Nov 6, 7:02 PM
#1
Content Admin
Overkilled Red

Offline
Aug 2013
7111
Kazuo Umezu, celebrated as a pioneer in horror manga and known for iconic works like Hyouryuu Kyoushitsu (The Drifting Classroom) and Makoto-chan, died on October 28 at the age of 88 due to stomach cancer. Umezu spent his final days in a care facility. His funeral was held privately, with plans for a public memorial to follow.

Born in 1936 in Wakayama, Japan, and raised in Nara, Umezu launched his career in 1955 and quickly rose to prominence with his unique, disturbing art style and his exploration of complex psychological themes. He debuted notable horror series like Nekome no Shoujo (The Girl with Cat Eyes) and Akanbou Shoujo (Scary Little Girl), which established him as a visionary in horror manga. In 1972, his highly acclaimed work Hyouryuu Kyoushitsu captured audiences with its story of children struggling to survive in a dystopian future, further cementing his status as a master of horror.

Umezu was equally prolific in humor, creating the popular Makoto-chan, a surreal gag manga that became a social phenomenon when it was first serialized in 1976. The series' catchphrase "Gwashi!" and signature hand pose became a cultural icon, showcasing Umezu's versatility across genres. Other notable works include Orochi, Watashi wa Shingo (My Name Is Shingo), and Fourteen, each a testament to his wide-ranging artistic expression.

Umezu's distinctive red-and-white striped shirt, often worn during public appearances, made him instantly recognizable and beloved by fans. Known for his bright personality, he embraced roles outside of manga, including TV appearances and even releasing a music album.

Though health issues sidelined his manga work for a period, Umezu returned to the art world in 2022, unveiling Zoku-Shingo: Chiisana Robot Shingo Bijutsukan (Zoku-Shingo: Little Robot Shingo Museum), a collection of 101 paintings that marked his reemergence as an artist after nearly three decades. His artistic achievements were recognized globally, earning him awards such as the Angoulême International Comics Festival Heritage Award in 2018 for Watashi wa Shingo (My Name Is Shingo) and the Special Prize at the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Awards earlier this year.

Source: Yomiuri Online, Sankei Shimbun

Nov 6, 7:06 PM
#2

Offline
Feb 2016
11999
His life was by no means short, but I expected him to live even longer.
その目だれの目?
Nov 6, 7:35 PM
#3

Online
Jan 2009
101284
rip to another legend
Nov 6, 7:39 PM
#4

Offline
Apr 2012
21558
Rest in peace. I was never familiar with his work, but it would be interesting to know if any modern authors have cited him. It makes me think of a time when our favorite LN and manga artists and writers will also age with us or even before us.
Nov 6, 8:19 PM
#5
Offline
Jul 2017
1161
Seeing all these news posts about people passing away is making me so sad man. Within a week we lost two art directors and a manga artist. All for different reasons, but it’s still sad. Rest in peace.
Nov 6, 8:34 PM
#6
Nov 6, 11:09 PM
#7

Offline
Mar 2019
3292
Great master of Japanese horror, rest in peace.🙏🪶
Nov 7, 12:22 AM
#8

Offline
Nov 2010
1296
As far as I know, his creepiest work is this. If you have a chance, give it a try. I hope you won't get any trauma.
Nov 7, 12:22 AM
#9

Offline
Aug 2021
2087
Rest in peace Sir.

Nov 7, 3:49 AM
Isekai Trucker

Offline
Oct 2015
2233
Only recognize his name from Gaki no Tsukai tv-show which he was on rare occasions. Not from his work. Damn.
May he rest in peace anyways.
AzuchiNov 7, 7:49 AM
"You only realize the real value of something you discarded when you get the chance to pick it up again." - Rudeus Greyrat

Nov 7, 7:52 AM

Offline
Feb 2012
6761
RIP, truly a master of the genre
Nov 7, 8:18 AM
Offline
Oct 2023
46
Reply to RobertBobert
Rest in peace. I was never familiar with his work, but it would be interesting to know if any modern authors have cited him. It makes me think of a time when our favorite LN and manga artists and writers will also age with us or even before us.
@RobertBobert Junji Ito was very much influenced by him and considers him an idol, so that's one at least.
Nov 7, 10:35 AM
Offline
Dec 2022
8
So many people in the anime-manga industry sadly passing away this year.
Rest in peace, Umezu, Kazuo.



Nov 7, 2:45 PM
Offline
Aug 2018
86
I thought I knew a lot about the legendary old school mangaka, but I didn't know him. Even though I've heard of The Drifting Classroom and Cat Eyed Boy, I didn't know that both titles were created by the same author.

Rest in peace.
Nov 8, 7:52 AM

Offline
Apr 2012
21558
Reply to RippleLover
@RobertBobert Junji Ito was very much influenced by him and considers him an idol, so that's one at least.
@RippleLover Are you implying that Ito developed his surreal horror style from him?
Nov 9, 9:47 AM
Offline
Sep 2018
859
RIP , remembered watching his “The Curse of Kazuo Umezu” and reading “Drifting Classroom”.
CuriouswandererNov 9, 9:55 AM
Nov 9, 11:40 AM

Offline
Jun 2022
8
This is sad news. Cancer might not be unexpected at someone his age, but it's still a rough way to head out.

His still stand as the only works I've read from as far back as the 70s. The Drifting Classroom played a huge part in my childhood and put me down the path of horror/dystopian manga, a path I'll never look back from. Rest easy, man.
Nov 15, 4:02 PM

Offline
Aug 2010
2952
RIP

It's time for me to read My Name is Shingo.
Bum Bum Dum Dum

Nov 16, 6:34 PM

Offline
Jan 2014
1873
Rest in peace Sir.

More topics from this board

» 'Kuroshitsuji: Midori no Majo-hen' Announces Main Cast

DatRandomDude - 4 hours ago

1 by _MushiRock11_ »»
3 hours ago

» 'Boku no Hero Academia' Final Season Announced for 2025

Nioxys - Oct 12

33 by AshisFall »»
6 hours ago

» Light Novel 'Hell Mode: Yarikomizuki no Gamer wa Hai Settei no Isekai de Musou suru' Gets TV Anime

Nioxys - Dec 5

6 by EcchiGodMamster »»
8 hours ago

» 'Nozomanu Fushi no Boukensha' Unveils Main Cast, Staff, 2024 Premiere

Hyperion_PS - Jun 30, 2023

4 by Kingfariz »»
8 hours ago

» 'Enen no Shouboutai: San no Shou' Reveals Production Staff, Teaser Promo

DatRandomDude - Dec 5

8 by Illyricus »»
9 hours ago
It’s time to ditch the text file.
Keep track of your anime easily by creating your own list.
Sign Up Login