"Leiji Matsumoto was a Japanese artist, world famous as the creator of several popular manga and anime series. He was best known for his space operas, which were characterized by fantastical storylines, tragic atmosphere, and strong moral themes. He was involved in the productions of Space Battleship Yamato (1974, remade in 2012) and Danguard Ace (1977, aborted reimagining 2013), but was the sole creator behind Space Pirate Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 (1977, both properties reimagined multiple times). Mainstream audiences might recognize his style from Interstella 5555, a film collaboration with electronic band Daft Punk. Matsumoto died of acute heart failure on February 13, 2023, aged 85, survived by his wife Miyako Maki, also a pioneer of manga and inventor of Licca-Chan, Japan's answer to Barbie."
