Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of the beloved manga series Yu-Gi-Oh!, has died at the age of 60 in what authorities believe to be a tragic snorkelling accident.
As reported by NHK, the acclaimed mangaka was found floating 300 meters (approximately 1000 ft) off the coast of Nago city in Okinawa, Japan, after a passerby on a boat came across his body. The Japanese Coast Guard reported Takahashi was wearing snorkelling equipment when he was pulled out of the water. He was later identified as the famous Yu-Gi-Oh! creator when the Guard linked his body with a white rental car that had been abandoned around 7 miles from the scene, used by Takahashi when he reportedly travelled to Okinawa alone. Authorities have begun investigating the cause of Takahashi's passing, with reports that there were no noticeable signs of injury on his body.
The autopsy for Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi has released a cause of death.
As reported by the Japanese news outlet Mainichi Shinbun, Takahashi's autopsy reportedly ruled out foul play as a cause of death and stated that the creator of the beloved manga series died as a result of drowning. The events leading up to his death are currently under investigation by both the Japan Coast Guard and police.
All of Shonen Jump's creators used their messages in this week's Shonen Jump to pay their respects to the fallen manga artist, who died in an apparent snorkeling accident earlier this month. The messages were translated into English and published on VIZ Media's blog. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda began by saying, "Yu-Gi-Oh! is a revolution of manga!! Fans will always continue to have fun in the world that Takahashi Sensei created. Rest in peace!" Those sentiments were echoed by several other manga creators, including My Hero Academia's Kohei Horikoshi, who wrote, "I'm in shock. Rest in peace, Takahashi Sensei."
Many of the creators, including Mashle: Magic and Muscles author Hajime Komoto, discussed how Yu-Gi-Oh! was a part of their childhood and an inspiration to them. "I played Yu-Gi-Oh! constantly when I was a child," Komoto said, adding, "I truly hope that his journey is a peaceful one." Yuto Suzuki, the creator of the acclaimed Sakamoto Days, issued a similar message. "I was obsessed with gathering Yu-Gi-Oh! cards as a child. Takahashi Sensei, rest in peace," Suzuki wrote. Blue Box artist Kouji Miura also reflected on the impact that the series had on his childhood, stating, "I communicated with my older brother through Yu-Gi-Oh! when I was a child. Rest in peace."
New details regarding the tragic death of Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi have come to light, revealing that the mangaka drowned while attempting to save the lives of fellow beachgoers who had been caught in a riptide.
As reported by Stars and Stripes, 49-year-old U.S. Army officer Maj. Robert Bourgeau has been nominated for the Soldier's Medal after rescuing three people from a riptide at Mermaid's Grotto in Onna, Okinawa on July 4. Unbeknownst to Bourgeau at the time, the 60-year-old Takahashi attempted to aid the rescue before being caught in the riptide himself. "You play that 'what if' game a lot," Bourgeau said. "This guy had a huge impact on the world."
