Tetsuya Chiba, creator of Japan's boxing manga series 'Ashita no Joe,' dies at 87

Tetsuya Chiba, the renowned creator of the iconic Japanese boxing manga series Ashita no Joe, passed away at the age of 87, according to a source familiar with the circumstances. Born in Tokyo, Chiba spent his childhood in Manchuria before returning to Japan following World War II. His artistic contributions to Ashita no Joe, co-written by Asao Takamori, depicted the life of an orphan aspiring to become a professional boxer.

Chiba's journey in the manga industry began in 1956, initially focusing on comics for a female audience before transitioning to works catering to a male readership. His groundbreaking series Ashita no Joe ran in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 1968, captivating readers with its engaging story and resonating with them on a postwar Japan theme.

The manga's popularity was so immense that fans even organized a mock funeral for the fictional rival character. In 2022, Chiba achieved another milestone by being inducted into the Japan Art Academy, the first manga artist to receive this honor. The Japan Art Academy commended Chiba for his significant contribution to sports-themed comics.

In 2024, Chiba received the esteemed Order of Culture, a prestigious award recognizing his role in elevating manga to a respected artistic genre. Notable peers from his generation included Takao Saito, creator of Golgo 13, and Leiji Matsumoto, known for Galaxy Express 999.