Acclaimed manga author Leiji Matsumoto died on February 13 at 11:00 a.m. due to acute heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo. He was 85 years old.

Born Akira Matsumoto in Kurume, Fukuoka in January 1938, he began his career under his real name in 1954 with Mitsubachi no Bouken (Honeybee's Adventure) in Manga Shounen magazine. His breakthrough manga Otoko Oidon, serialized in Weekly Shounen Magazine, earned him the Kodansha Publishing Culture Award in 1972.

Over the years, Matsumoto created multiple popular manga which inspired anime and live-action adaptations, such as Ginga Tetsudou 999 (Galaxy Express 999), Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock (Captain Harlock), and Queen Emeraldas.

Matsumoto also co-created the Uchuu Senkan Yamaoto (Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato) anime series with Yoshinobu Nishizaki.

In 2001, Matsumoto received the Medal with Purple Ribbon honor and was awarded with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2010. In 2012, he also received the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) decoration from the French government.

Source: Nikkan Sports