Japan Coast Guard says “Yu-Gi-Oh!” mangaka Takashi Kazuki died while trying to rescue a girl

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Mangaka Takashi Kazuki (60), creator of the popular Japanese manga and anime franchise “Yu-Gi-Oh!” was found dead in the sea off the city of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture back in July.

According to the Japanese Coast Guard officials, “Takahashi noticed the girl and her parents adrift in the sea off Onna of the southern Japan prefecture when he was snorkeling on the afternoon of July 4, and rushed to help them along with two U.S. service members nearby. The personnel rescued the girl and her parents managed to reach the shore by themselves, but Takahashi was apparently caught in a wave”.

American military publication “Stars and Stripes” reported last Tuesday, “Takahashi had made an effort to help in the rescue”, quoting Maj. Robert Bourgeau, a U.S. Army officer. Bourgeau calling the artist a “hero” who “died trying to save someone else”.

Takashi Kazuki was born on October 4, 1961 in Tokyo. He made his Jump debut in 1990 with “Tokio no Taka” for Weekly Shonen Jump Special 1990 Summer Special and his series “Yu-Gi-Oh!” was serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump” from 1996 to 2004 which became an international hit. The official card game was released in 1999 which sold over 22 billion cards and was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. The cards were followed by a popular animated series “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters”) in 2000.

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