Legendary Manga and Anime creator Leiji Matsumoto has passed away at the age of 85 at a Tokyo hospital due to acute heart failure. He is best known for creating anime like Galaxy Express 999, Space Battleship Yamato, Captain Harlock, and Queen Emeraldas.

Born in 1938, he was influenced by American cartoons and comics, his father served as a pilot for the Japanese Imperial Army. His character designs were heavily influenced by events during World War II, during which he was able to observe a lot of fighter planes. He started his Manga career in 1953 with Mitsubachi no Boken, he was 18 at the time.

In 2010, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese Government for promoting Japanese culture abroad. In 2013, he was honoured by the French Government with a Knighthood.