Kazuki Takahashi, the mangaka famous for creating his magnum opus, the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise had tragically lost his life on 6th July this year. This devastating news has shocked the anime community, and he’s being mourned by fans worldwide. The fandom wants to know the cause of his death and what it means for the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise now.
Takahashi was 60 years old when he was discovered floating in the sea, just off the coast of Okinawa in the South of Japan. Reports say that snorkeling gears with fins and a mask were found on his body when he was pulled out.
The officials have stated that the exact circumstances of his death are still unknown and that a police investigation has been issued to shed light on it.
The local police had also discovered a rental car at a beach close to the spot where he was found. After finding out that the vehicle belonged to Takahashi, the police speculated the body to be his, upon which his family members were contacted for identification.
It is assumed that he had been dead for a while before the discovery. The ongoing investigation will reveal further details.
Starting his career as a mangaka in the early 1980s, Kazuki Takahashi’s renown in the industry came pretty late. Some of his earlier works include a one-shot named Tokio no Taka and Tennenshoku Danji Buray, in two volumes. After several unsuccessful works, he finally came in strong with his manga Yu-Gi-Oh!
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In 1996, Yu-Gi-Oh! was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump till 2004. The manga was a massive hit catapulting Takahashi’s fame to heights like never before. Its immense success resulted in an equally great anime adaptation and a trading card game in the vein of the story.
Yu-Gi-Oh! is about a boy named Yugi Mutou who has a knack for puzzles and games. After solving a mysterious ancient Egyptian puzzle, the shy and submissive Yugi acquires the ability to turn into a shrewd gambler when threatened by people with malicious hearts.
He then challenges them to a duel involving several magical puzzles and games. Takahashi had a tremendous knack for puzzles and games like mahjong and card games, which he had channeled into the creation of the manga.
The collectable card game inspired by the manga held the record of the world’s highest-selling trading card game in 2009’s Guinness Book of Records. When its popularity was at its prime, it was played profusely at national and international level arenas. Add to that; Video game versions were developed as well.
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Post Kazuki Takahashi’s Death, What Happens Now to the Franchise?
Konami, the Japanese company that distributes and holds the rights to the card game, has promised that they will not let the franchise die down in the future and shall keep on making sure that the legacy continues. Fans can rest assured that the tragic incident will not let Yu-Gi-Oh! come to an end as a phenomenon that it has become in the anime world.
It is with heavy hearts that we bid adieu to the legend. Takahashi’s contribution to the entertainment industry is titanic and shall never be allowed to fade away, even with him gone. We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
