[Obituary] COMITIA Chair Kimihiko Nakamura Passes Away at 66; Comiket Committee Pays Tribute to His “Immeasurable Contributions”

The official COMITIA website announced the news, stating that Nakamura had been undergoing treatment for cancer and passed away suddenly on April 26, 2026. The statement expressed sincere gratitude for the support he received during his lifetime and respectfully informed the public of his passing.

According to his wishes, the funeral will be held privately with close family members only. The organizers also requested that condolence money, flowers, and offerings be respectfully declined. In addition, a memorial gathering organized by the COMITIA Executive Committee will be held at a later date, with further details to be announced on the official website.

Continued Commitment to COMITIA’s Future

Despite experiencing declining health since the beginning of the year, Nakamura remained active and attended COMITIA155 on February 22. He had also been preparing for the upcoming COMITIA156 scheduled for June 7.

The staff expressed their deep shock at the sudden loss, noting that there will be no impact on future COMITIA events. They emphasized that Nakamura’s greatest wish was for COMITIA to continue into the future. The “Chair Kimihiko Nakamura Interaction Space,” originally planned for COMITIA156, is now being reconsidered with adjustments, with details to be announced once finalized.

Tributes from the Comic Market Preparatory Committee

In response to the news, the Comic Market Preparatory Committee shared a tribute on its official X account, stating that they were at a loss for words upon hearing of Nakamura’s passing. They praised his immeasurable contributions to developing COMITIA as a platform for original doujin works and expressed gratitude for his broader efforts in supporting the doujin community as a whole. They concluded with their heartfelt condolences.

Source : ORICON NEWS