GALAXY EXPRESS DESTINATION STARDUST
Mangaka Leiji Matsumoto has died aged 85. Inspired by the works of Astro Boy maestro Osamu Tezuka, he married the creator of Japan’s Barbie equivalent before breaking into the industry proper. His first success was in the early 70s with a slice-of-life comic about a student preparing for university exams, but space epics Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock became his best-regarded works. They received popular anime adaptations and were noted for their existential, anti-war themes and effete protagonists. Among his fans were Daft Punk, and he collaborated with the robotic duo on several music videos. He was unique for Easy Peasy Japanesey.
Leiji Matsumoto
25 January 1938 – 13 February 2023, aged 85
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