Manga artist Tetsuya Chiba, creator of ‘Ashita no Joe,’ dies at 87

Publishing house Kodansha announced Tuesday that manga artist Tetsuya Chiba, best known for co-creating the popular boxing series “Ashita no Joe,” died at 87 last Thursday at a hospital in Tokyo. With a career spanning seven decades, Chiba was a key figure in establishing sports manga as a major genre. In 2024, he became the first manga artist to receive the Order of Culture, one of the country’s highest cultural honors. “Tetsuya Chiba created numerous masterpieces throughout his 70-year career, driven by a strong love for and faith in the medium of manga,” Kodansha’s statement read, going on to highlight the Chiba Tetsuya Award, which was established 46 years ago to nurture new talent. “Many aspiring manga artists took their first steps toward professional careers with his words in their hearts — and they continue to be active in the industry today. His immense contributions to the manga world are irreplaceable.”