In news gut-wrenching, tragic, and heartbreaking, it’s been reported that Yu-Gi-Oh! author and creator Kazuki Takahashi was found dead on Wednesday morning, off the coast of Nago city in Okinawa, Japan. He was 60 years old. He was found equipped with snorkeling gear, and the cause of his death is currently uncertain.
— Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG (@YuGiOh_TCG) July 7, 2022
Takahashi’s original Yu-Gi-Oh! manga began publication in Weekly Shonen Jump all the way back in 1996. After a good handful of volumes dealing with an array of tabletop games, Takahashi focused on one in particular, “Duel Monsters,” which would be adapted into the real life Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. Since then, the YGO franchise has become a worldwide success, with a hit anime adaptation, numerous sequels, and many video game adaptations. But in the beginning, it was a simply story about friendship and believing in others — and yourself — that touched the hearts of readers.
Regardless of if you grew up with Yu-Gi-Oh or not, if you only played the card game or only read the manga, if you watched the anime in English or in Japanese, we were all brought together by one man's passion. He'll always be alive in our hearts. That's the lesson he taught us. pic.twitter.com/mnp0CE1BN7
— Kazuki Takahashi (高橋 和希) Art (@TakahashiArtYGO) July 7, 2022
Tributes for Takahashi are pouring in from all around the world, as those who grew up loving Yu-Gi-Oh! and those who are still ardent fans of the franchise lament his untimely passing. As someone who avidly collected volumes of the manga as a kid, rereading duel after duel to relive each turn of fate and vow of friendship, my heart sank reading the news. His story has touched an entire generation worldwide, who will remember it for many years to come. Rest in peace, Kazuki Takahashi.
Source: ANN
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Written by Amelia Fruzzetti
A writer and Nintendo fan based in Seattle, Washington. When not working for NinWire, she can be found eating pasta, writing stories, and wondering about when Mother 3 is finally going to get an official localization.
