Tetsuya Chiba, Legendary Ashita no Joe Manga Artist, Dies at 87

Tetsuya Chiba, the influential Japanese manga artist best known for illustrating Ashita no Joe, has died at the age of 87.

His death was announced on October 27, 2026, by publisher Shogakukan and the Japan Cartoonists Association. According to the family's statement released through Shogakukan, Chiba died at a Tokyo hospital on October 22.

A private funeral has already taken place.

Born in Tokyo on January 11, 1939, Chiba began his professional manga career in 1956. Over the following seven decades, he became one of the defining figures in Japanese comics.

Among his best-known works are Ashita no Joe, Ore wa Teppei, Notari Matsutaro, and Ashita Tenki ni Naare.

Ashita no Joe, created with writer Asao Takamori, also known as Ikki Kajiwara, became a landmark of Japanese sports storytelling. Its portrayal of aspiring boxer Joe Yabuki helped establish a lasting cultural legacy that extended beyond manga into animation and popular entertainment.

Chiba continued working as a manga artist for decades and remained active in the wider industry. He served in leadership roles at the Japan Cartoonists Association, supporting the recognition and development of manga creators.

His achievements were recognized through numerous honors, including Japan's Order of Culture in 2024.

In its official announcement, Shogakukan recognized Chiba's long career and his contribution to postwar Japanese manga. The Japan Cartoonists Association separately acknowledged his work supporting both the medium and the people who create it.

Shogakukan said arrangements for a possible memorial gathering were under consideration. The family has requested privacy and declined condolence visits and offerings.

Chiba leaves behind an extraordinary body of work that helped define manga for generations of readers.