Kazuo Umezu, the legendary manga artist known for horror classics like The Drifting Classroom and Left Hand of God, Right Hand of the Devil, passed away on October 28 at the age of 88. This news was announced by Shogakukan on November 5. Following the announcement, HUNTER×HUNTER creator Yoshihiro Togashi shared his feelings and a heartfelt tribute on X, revealing the deep influence Umezu had on his life and work.

Togashi, a self-proclaimed fan of Umezu’s work, even named an ability in HUNTER×HUNTER after Umezu’s Left Hand of God, Right Hand of the Devil—the power used by the Phantom Troupe character Kortopi. On X, Togashi expressed the impact of Umezu’s passing, stating, “It looks like I'll be posting irregularly until the end of November. Normally, I’m used to dealing with things that distract me from work, but hearing of Umezu-sensei’s passing has made this period especially tough.”

In a touching memory, Togashi shared, “The first time I cried while reading a manga was during Tamami’s makeup scene,” referencing a character from Umezu’s work.

Series Background

HUNTER×HUNTER, which began serialization in 1998, follows the adventures of Gon as he journeys with his friends, including Killua and Leorio. Currently, the story unfolds in the "Dark Continent Arc" (Succession War Arc), where Kurapika and other characters face complex challenges aboard a ship bound for unexplored lands. With over 84 million copies sold, the manga continues to captivate fans worldwide.

Recent Updates

After concluding its weekly serialization with Chapter 400 on December 26, 2022, the series resumed on October 7, 2024, with weekly chapters beginning from Chapter 401.

Source : ORICON NEWS