Ashita no Joe Creator Tetsuya Chiba Dies at 87

Oct 27, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Tetsuya Chiba, the acclaimed manga artist best known for the popular boxing series "Ashita no Joe" and the first manga creator to receive Japan's Order of Culture, died on October 22 at a hospital in Tokyo from myelodysplastic syndrome, a disorder affecting blood cell production. He was 87.

Chiba made his professional debut as a manga artist at the age of 17 and went on to produce numerous hit works, becoming one of the most influential figures in Japan's manga industry.

His best-known work, "Ashita no Joe," follows the struggles of a young boxer, Joe Yabuki, and became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring generations of readers and helping establish manga as a powerful form of storytelling.

Beyond his creative achievements, Chiba played a leading role in developing Japan's manga industry, serving as chairman of the Japan Cartoonists Association and supporting the growth and recognition of manga as an important part of Japanese culture.

His receipt of the Order of Culture marked a historic milestone for the industry, recognizing the artistic and cultural significance of manga at the highest national level.

Throughout his long career, Chiba remained a respected figure among fellow artists and readers, leaving a legacy that helped shape modern Japanese comics and their influence on popular culture.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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