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Manga artist and author Kazuki Takahashi was found dead by local authorities in the waters of Okinawa on Thursday morning according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.
NHK, citing an unnamed Japanese Coast Guard official, reported Takahashi was found wearing snorkeling equipment approximately 300 meters off the shore of Nago by passing sailor. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of death.
Takahashi, who was 60 years-old, had created Yu-Gi-Oh! in 1996 which was published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine until 2004. In North America, Viz Media distributed the English translated manga (pictured at top). Since then, Yu-Gi-Oh! has spawned a universe of anime, movies, figures, video games and the iconic card game that built up a massive following worldwide.
In Yu-Gi-Oh!, a young Yugi Mutou comes across an ancient Egyptian artifact called the Millennium Puzzle which contains the spirit of Atem, a deceased pharaoh. Using Atem’s power, Yugi excels in the monster card game Duel Monsters while being challenged by Seto Kaiba and Maximillon J. Pegasus who both want Atem’s strength for their own evil purposes.
Tributes for the late manga artist were posted online. Toei Animation, which animated the original 1998 Yu-Gi-Oh! series, shared an image of Takahashi on their Instagram account while others reminisced over their favourite scenes from his manga.
Rest in peace, Kazuki Takahashi. You will forever be the King of Games.
Source: NHK
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