Takao Yaguchi, creator of iconic manga 'Sanpei, the Fisher Boy,' dies at 81

Takao Yaguchi, the manga artist behind the beloved series 'Sanpei, the Fisher Boy' (Tsurikichi Sanpei), passed away in 2020 at age 81 after battling pancreatic cancer. Born in 1939 into a farming family in Akita Prefecture, Yaguchi initially worked as a banker before pursuing his dream of becoming a manga artist, inspired by Osamu Tezuka. His debut came in 1969 with 'Nagamochi Utako' on the avant-garde magazine Garo, but his breakthrough was 'Otoko Michi' (1970), scripted by Ikki Kajiwara. 'Sanpei' ran in Shukan Shōnen Magazine from 1973 to 1983, later adapted into an anime by Nippon Animation in 1980. The series, about a rural boy obsessed with fishing, reflected Yaguchi's ecological vision and critique of environmental degradation during Japan's economic growth. Yaguchi also created works like 'Bachi Hebi' (1973), 'Matagi' (1975), and 'Oragamura' (1973), all exploring harmony between humans and nature. After his daughter's death in 2012, he focused on preserving his legacy, including original artworks. The Yokote Masuda Manga Museum, active since 1995 and reopened in 2019, houses around 400,000 pieces from Yaguchi and other artists such as Takao Saito and Naoki Urasawa. A sequel to 'Sanpei' was published by Star Comics from 2004, and a Tribute Edition with color plates is now available.