The first manga creator to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, Chiba also explored war, sports and personal memories through his influential works.
Government of Japan/Wikimedia Commons
Japanese manga artist Tetsuya Chiba, whose work included the celebrated boxing manga Ashita no Joe, died at a hospital in Tokyo on Oct. 22, 2026, from myelodysplastic syndrome. He was 87, according to reports published on Oct. 27.
Across a career spanning seven decades, Chiba established himself as a prolific manga creator, explored subjects ranging from baseball and war to sumo and golf, and took on leadership roles within Japan’s manga industry. His career also included efforts to preserve the memory of wartime experiences and promote the cultural significance of manga.
Tetsuya Chiba’s Early Life and Manga Debut
Chiba was born in Tokyo on Jan. 11, 1939, and spent his early childhood in what was then Japanese-controlled Manchuria, now part of northeastern China. He was in the region when World War II ended and returned to Japan in 1946.
His experiences during childhood later informed his interest in communicating the human consequences of war and the importance of peace.
Chiba entered the manga industry in 1956, making his professional debut at the age of 17 through a rented manga book. While still in high school, he began a career that would span about 70 years.
Beyond ‘Ashita No Joe’: Chiba’s Other Notable Works
Although Chiba is widely associated with Ashita no Joe, his work extended across several genres.
His early portfolio included Chikai no Makyu, a baseball manga based on an original story by Kazuya Fukumoto; Shidenkai no Taka, a war manga; and Harisu no Kaze, a school-life series.
He later produced other popular works, including Notari Matsutaro, a manga centered on sumo wrestling, and Ashita Tenki ni Naare, which explored golf.
The range of subjects reflected his versatility as a storyteller, allowing him to work across sports, everyday life and historical themes rather than concentrating on a single genre.
A Career Dedicated to Remembering War
Chiba continued using manga and public appearances to communicate the tragic nature of war and the importance of peace. He drew on his childhood experiences, sharing his perspectives through his work and lectures.
This commitment added another dimension to his career beyond commercial publishing. His work as a manga creator also became a means of preserving personal memories and encouraging audiences to consider the consequences of conflict.
His autobiographical series, Hinemosu Notari Nikki, offered a particularly personal perspective. The short-essay manga began publication in Shogakukan’s Big Comic in December 2015 and drew on his childhood experiences.
The series went on hiatus on Sept. 25, 2026, after Chiba experienced declining health.
Health Problems in His Later Years
Chiba faced several health challenges in the years before his death.
In November 2021, he disclosed that he had admitted himself to a Tokyo hospital after feeling unwell. He described abnormalities involving his heart valve, coronary artery, and throat, and began treatment for a tumor in his throat.
In January 2022, he underwent heart surgery to have a stent placed in his coronary artery. He later mentioned undergoing eye surgery in a blog post in 2024.
His declining health ultimately led to the suspension of Hinemosu Notari Nikki in September 2026, weeks before his death from myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease affecting blood-forming cells in the bone marrow.
Tetsuya Chiba’s Historic Awards and Industry Leadership
Chiba received some of Japan’s highest forms of recognition for his contributions to culture.
In 2012, he received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. He was named a Person of Cultural Merit in 2014, and in 2024 became the first manga creator to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, an honor recognizing outstanding contributions to the country’s cultural development.
His influence also extended into professional organizations. Chiba served as director general and chairperson of the Japan Cartoonists Association, helping advance manga’s standing and supporting creative activity across the industry.
He was also nominated to the Japan Art Academy in 2022, alongside manga creator Yoshiharu Tsuge, as one of the first two manga creators nominated to the institution.
A Lasting Contribution to Japanese Manga
Chiba’s career combined commercial success, artistic versatility, public service, and a sustained commitment to communicating the importance of peace. His work ranged from popular sports stories to autobiographical writing informed by his childhood.
His influence also reached beyond the individual works he produced. Through his leadership in the Japan Cartoonists Association and the recognition he received from Japanese cultural institutions, Chiba helped establish manga creators as contributors to the country’s broader artistic and cultural life.
His death at 87 marks the end of a long career that began when he was still a teenager and continued through changing generations of manga readers and artists.
Rest in Peace Tetsuya Chiba âAshita no Joeâ will always remain a masterpiece. https://t.co/ACTX8rkRtw
— Anime Tokki (@AnimeTokki) October 27, 2026
