Our thoughts are with Tetsuya Chiba’s family, friends, and fans.
Acclaimed manga artist Tetsuya Chiba, best known for Ashita no Joe, passed away from myelodysplastic syndrome at a hospital in Tokyo on October 22, 2026. He was 87 years old. His funeral was held privately with family members.
Born in Tokyo on January 11, 1939, Chiba made his manga debut in 1956. Throughout his career, he created several popular series, including Ashita no Joe, Notari Matsutaro, Ashita Tenki ni Naare, and Shidenkai no Taka.
His most famous work, Ashita no Joe, written by Asao Takamori, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 1968 to 1973. The boxing manga became a cultural phenomenon in Japan and had a major influence on sports manga.
Chiba also dedicated much of his life to promoting peace by sharing his wartime experiences. His autobiographical manga, Hinemosu Notari Nikki, began serialization in Big Comic in December 2015 and went on hiatus in September 2026 due to his health.
In recognition of his contributions to manga and Japanese culture, Chiba received several honors, including the Order of Culture in 2024.
His legacy continues to inspire generations of manga artists and readers around the world.
Source: NHK ONE
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