Mangaka Iku Oyamada Dies at 59

by arsonal
Mar 25, 2016 12:15 PM | 21 Comments

Mangaka Iku Oyamada has died at the age of 59. The artist best known for his 1980 manga Scrap Book was found dead in his home in Komoro, Nagano Prefecture, on March 23. Authorities said that Oyamada had been ill, but no further details on the cause of death was revealed.

Oyamada was the winner of the 4th Shougakukan Newcomer Comic Grand Prize with the work Bosatsu. He debuted as a mangaka in 1979 with Gohyaku Rakan, which was published under his real name Katsuhisa Tagami. Later that year, he took up the pen name Iku Oyamada when drawing the series 12-gatsu no Yui, which received an honorable mention in the 13th Weekly Shounen Champion Newcomer Manga Prize.

Between 1980 and 1982, Oyamada drew the slice-of-life manga Scrap Book (pictured), which follows middle schooler Haru Kashiwagi and is set in Oyamada's hometown of Komoro. The series was revived with a one-shot published in 2009 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Weekly Shounen Champion.

Other works include the 1987 manga Marionette Shi, which focused on social and environmental issues through the eyes of a schoolboy. Oyamada also drew horror manga in the 1990s.

Source: Comic Natalie

Mangaka Life Event

20 of 21 Comments Recent Comments

Don't know who he is, but rip.

Mar 25, 2016 7:08 PM by KaoruMatsuoka

59? Damn!!

R.I.P.

Mar 25, 2016 4:15 PM by Hirax

"...was found dead in his home..."

Regardless of the circumstances, that sentence alone emits a vibe of loneliness that shoots right through the heart. Hopefully I'm misinterpreting it and he was living with his loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Mar 25, 2016 3:16 PM by Rachmaninow

RIP :(

Might check out some of his works.

Mar 25, 2016 2:46 PM by Stark700

very good manka ka alot of very good work

Mar 25, 2016 2:38 PM by DateYutaka

Never heard of him, but may he rest in peace.

Mar 25, 2016 2:36 PM by removed-user

RIP to the man. Sad stuff mates.

Mar 25, 2016 2:28 PM by Ramkec

RIP. Died way too young.

Mar 25, 2016 2:14 PM by G_Spark233

59. A year from retirement.

RIP.

Mar 25, 2016 1:31 PM by MagicalMahou

well of course nobody's heard of him
HE HAS NOTHING LISTED HERE

this could be handy yeah? https://www.mangaupdates.com/authors.html?id=8303
nothing translated

shame
his art looks nice
should have had his own 80s anime

Mar 25, 2016 1:28 PM by zetsu_shoren

I never heard of him but REST IN PIECE

Mar 25, 2016 1:23 PM by KsT

R.I.P.
He should have continued with horror manga :'(

Mar 25, 2016 1:09 PM by ichii_1

59 is too young D:

Rest in peace.

Mar 25, 2016 1:08 PM by cynjuice

Sorry to hear. RIP

Mar 25, 2016 12:55 PM by removed-user

I don't know him, but may his soul rest in peace

Mar 25, 2016 12:51 PM by Jinx_619

It seems only 1 person in MAL actually read his work. I guess I have to make it 2. It's the only thing I can do for him.

RIP soon to be remembered by me.

Mar 25, 2016 12:46 PM by RenzyBlood

Damn, only 59? Not even that old.

RIP mate.

I never read your work, but I think I'll go check them out.

Mar 25, 2016 12:26 PM by Chotgoriin

59? That's not very old. Rest in Peace.

Mar 25, 2016 12:23 PM by phoenixalia

Never heard of him but RIP.

Mar 25, 2016 12:21 PM by Umineko

RIP

Never read any of his works, may check them out

Mar 25, 2016 12:19 PM by DJAnime

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