Tetsuya Chiba, the legendary manga artist best known for the iconic boxing series Ashita no Joe, died at 87. His death was announced on October 27, 2026, with reports indicating that he died on October 22 in a hospital in Tokyo, Japan. However, his official cause of death has not been made public in the available reports.
Did Tetsuya Chiba have any health issues?
Chiba had health issues in the past. The manga artist was hospitalised in November 2021 due to health issues with his heart valve, coronary artery, and throat. At the time, he posted an update on his blog, expressing hope for recovery and a return to work.
Although news of his death drew attention to his previous health issues, there is currently no confirmed reports linking those issues to his passing. Without an official statement, it is not appropriate to attribute his death to any specific medical condition.
Remembering the creator of “Ashita no Joe”
Chiba was born on January 11, 1939, and began his professional manga career in 1956. He rose to prominence in Japanese comics with works like Ashita no Joe, Ore wa Teppei, and Notari Matsutaro. In 2024, he was recognised for his contribution to Japanese culture when he was awarded the Order of Culture, making him the first manga artist to receive the honour.
Chiba leaves a lasting artistic legacy, with his work continuing to influence manga readers and creators for generations.
