Motoo Abiko, co-creator of Doraemon, dies at 88

Motoo Abiko, known as Fujiko Fujio, passed away at the age of 88. He formed a friendship with Hiroshi Fujimoto in fifth grade in Toyama Prefecture, united by their admiration for Osamu Tezuka's Shin Takarajima (1947). After completing their education, Abiko had a short stint at Toyama Shimbun before relocating to Tokyo with Fujimoto in 1954, where they resided at Tokiwa-so. Their initial creation was Tenshi no Tama-chan (1952), followed by the hit Obake no Q-Taro (1964). Other notable works include Kaibutsu-kun (1965) and Ninja Hattori-kun (1964). The duo parted ways in 1987, adopting the names Fujiko Fujio A (Abiko) and Fujiko F. Fujio (Fujimoto). Abiko also developed The Laughing Salesman (1968) and Pro Golfer Saru (1974), while maintaining a close friendship with animator Shinichi Suzuki.