Manga artist Hideo Azuma, creator of Pollon and Nanà Supergirl, dies at 69

Hideo Azuma, the Japanese manga artist known for creating 'Pollon' (Olympus no Pollon, 1979) and 'Nanà Supergirl' (Nanako SOS, 1983), died on October 13, 2019, at age 69 from an incurable illness he had disclosed to readers two years earlier. Born in Hokkaido, Azuma was inspired by Shotaro Ishinomori's works and began contributing to the magazine COM as a student. He moved to Tokyo in 1968, worked at Toppan Printing, and assisted artist Rentaro Itai. His debut came in 1969 with 'Ringside Crazy' in Manga O (Akita Shoten). Professional success followed with 'Futari no 5-nin' (1974) in Shonen Champion. Azuma's style blended science fiction inspired by American cinema, doll-like female characters, and absurdist comedy. A career turning point came in 1978 when his works appeared in niche magazines like Bessatsu Kisoten and he began drawing erotic doujinshi featuring adolescent girls, contributing to the lolicon genre. His success boosted the magazine Manga Alice and earned him the Seiun Award for 'Fujori Nikki'. Later honors include the Japan Media Arts Award (2005), the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, and the Gran Guinigi Award at Lucca Comics & Games 2019 for 'Diario della mia scomparsa' (Shisso Nikki), which recounted his 1989 disappearance due to overwork, depression, and alcoholism. With over 400 works, Azuma is remembered as a precursor to otaku culture, exploring female sexuality in works like 'Yakekuso Tenshi', 'Parareru Kyoshitsu', and 'Hizashi'.