Yu-Gi-Oh! creator found dead in Okinawa coast, leaves fans devastated
Kazuki Takahashi, creator of the famous manga series and card game Yu-Gi-Oh!, passed away at 60. His body was found floating off the Naga, Okinawa coast on July 6, and was reportedly involved in a diving-related accident.
According to Japanese news outlet NHK, Nago City coast guards found a body geared up with snorkeling equipment at around 10:30 a.m., Wednesday. Today, July 7, they have confirmed the body to be that of Takahashi.
Full details are yet to be released as investigations on the cause of the artist’s death are still ongoing.
After the news broke out, fans paid their respects and shared on Twitter how much of an impact Yu-Gi-Oh! has brought to their lives. One of them even shared a photo of his tattoo of Yugi Mutou—the main character of the series—along with his manga collection.
I'm heartbroken man. I didn't grow up with Yu-Gi-Oh as a kid but im so happy I discovered it as an adult and it left a huge impact on me.
— JM 🦇 (@Son0fkryptonn) July 7, 2022
Terrible terrible news. Takahashi you were one of the best and your work will be with me forever. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/eTA1zxcn2K
Meanwhile, another fan said that Yu-Gi-Oh! was “one of the reasons” why they began their art ventures.
“One of the first manga I had ever read, a show I watched on Saturday mornings, as well as being one of the reasons I began drawing and studying art. Inspiration to many, loved by all. Millions of hearts were impacted by your story,” the fan tweeted.
Nostalgia was felt by another user who reminisced how Takahashi has contributed to her "geekdom."
“Thank you for giving us all something so great. Yu-Gi-Oh! was a staple of my childhood and who I am to this day by embracing my geekdom,” the tweet stated. “Nothing but sadness seeing this.”
Another fan had similar sentiments, stating how Takahashi’s creation was the “cornerstone" of her childhood and life today, as well as that of “many others around the world.”
Rest in peace Kazuki Takahashi.
— Team APS (@TeamAPS) July 7, 2022
Your creation was the cornerstone of my childhood and my life today. And the lives of so many others around the world.
You will be forever remembered. pic.twitter.com/xROtqoCzZ6
Kazuki was a manga artist since 1982 and has largely contributed to the shonen genre. He was best known for the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga series that ran from 1996 to 2004.
In July 2015, he received the Comic-Con International's Inkpot Award, which recognizes exemplary contributions to comics, science fiction and fantasy, film, television, animation, and fandom. Up to this day, the international franchise of Yu-Gi-Oh! remains popular with tabletop card games, anime and new manga series, toys, and game adaptations.
