Manga artist Izumi Matsumoto, creator of Kimagure Orange Road, dies at 61

Izumi Matsumoto, known for creating Kimagure Orange Road, passed away on October 6 following a prolonged illness. Originally named Kazuya Terashima, he relocated to Tokyo after finishing high school with the intention of pursuing a music career, but instead enrolled in a design school. In 1980, he began using the pen name Izumi Matsumoto alongside a friend. His debut work, Milk Report, was released in 1982, and he introduced Kimagure Orange Road in 1984, which combined shōnen and shōjo styles until 1987. The series gained a devoted following in Italy, where it was titled È quasi magia Johnny. The main character, Kyōsuke Kasuga, finds himself caught between Madoka Ayukawa and Hikaru Hiyama. Matsumoto's influence extended to artists like Masakazu Katsura and Taku Chiba, recognized for their strong female characters.