Mitsuteru Yokoyama passed away

[passerby]

This should be in the "General" pages, but that's always in a bit of a mess...

Besides, giant robots/mechs tend to be a bit more of a console thing.

The report goes:

It's being reported by Japanese news sources such as Yomiuri On-line and Sankei Web that mangaka Mitsuteru Yokoyama died on April 15 at about 10:30 pm at a Tokyo hospital as a result of serious burns he suffered in a fire at his home. Yokoyama's two younger sisters were also injured. Police say that since an ashtray was at Yokoyama's bedside, carelessness with a cigerette was potentially the cause of the fire.

Yokoyama was the creator of popular manga like Tetsujin 28, Giant Robo, Babel II, and Sally The Witch. He was 69 years old. Fellow mangaka Go Nagai expressed shock at the news as well as his appreciation for Tetsujin 28, which was a childhood favorite.

A bit of history. The first popular and original robot creation was "Captain Atom" or "Astroboy"(as he was known in english) by Tezuka Osamu. "Tetsujin 28" by Mitsuteru Yokoyama followed, and gave us the FIRST human-shaped giant robot that was remote-controlled. Go Nagai followed with "Mazinger" - first giant robot with a human pilot seated within.

These are the pioneers of robot fiction which we enjoyed in games, anime, movies and other forms of entertainment. I'll expect a bit of reaction from anime/manga industry, which hold these "senseis" in high respect.

 

[Almasy]

Expect otaku suicides en masse. That said, it is a pity something like this happened.

 

[V3]

Yes, sad news, his contribution will be remembered.

 

[Bohdy]

Yes, sad news, his contribution will be remembered.

Not by me!

 

[Almasy]

Yes, sad news, his contribution will be remembered.

Not by me!

Neither by me! I have no idea what those mangas you mentioned are about at all, except for Mazinger.

 

[Jabjabs]

*Ditto*

Now I can't wait to get back to TAFE and tell all the manga nuts about this, I love to ruin people's days!

 

[passerby]

Here's a look at the world's first fictional human-shaped giant robot "Tetsujin 28". Don't remember it exactly, but I think I've seen it before.

 

[Jov]

Its ashame as I have fond memories of Astro Boy... its an Icon of my generation in a way.

*Ditto*

Now I can't wait to get back to TAFE and tell all the manga nuts about this, I love to ruin people's days!

Which TAFE in Melbourne and what r you studying?

 

[Farid]

Its ashame as I have fond memories of Astro Boy... its an Icon of my generation in a way.

Astro boy was a creation of Tezuka Osamu, who died in 1989.
Tezuka Osamu also did Emperor Leo , that disney ripped-off for their "original" "The Lion King".

 

[Sonic]

Astro Boy lives on.... http://www.sega.com/games/game_temp.php?game=astroboy

I agree, I will remember all the contributions this man made and I am certain his work will continue to influence others fro a very long time.

 

[Squeak]

Actually, Tetsujin 28 aka Gigantor has been known outside Japan almost as long as "Astro Boy": http://www.robotoys.com/cgi-bin/ams/shopzone30.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=709

 

[Jov]

[quote="Vysez
Astro boy was a creation of Tezuka Osamu, who died in 1989.
Tezuka Osamu also did Emperor Leo , that disney ripped-off for their "original" "The Lion King". [/quote]

Ooops, misread the article. Anyway, anyone contributed to the genre deserves acknowledgement.