The author of the manga "Yu-Gi-Oh!", Kazuki Takahashi, passed away in what is believed to be an accident

Update: Japanese media reported that Mr. Takahashi Kazuki's abdomen and lower body had injuries that appeared to be caused by a shark or other marine life.

According to NHK News today (July 7), the original author of the manga "Yu-Gi-Oh!", Kazuki Takahashi, has passed away and his body was found off the coast of Nago City, Okinawa. He was wearing snorkeling equipment when he was found, and it is suspected to be an accident. The Japan Coast Guard and the police are currently investigating the cause of death.

Kazuki Takahashi is a Japanese manga artist. In 1990, he published his debut work "Fighting the Eagle" (闘辉王の鹰, serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump) under the name of Kazumasa Takahashi. In 1991, he published "Tenraniro Dango BURAY" under the same name of Kazumasa Takahashi. In 1996, he changed his pen name to Kazuki Takahashi and began serializing "Yu-Gi-Oh". The trading card game derived from "Yu-Gi-Oh" subsequently swept the market.