ព័ត៌មានសំខាន់
Masako Watanabe, a pioneering figure in shojo manga known for works like Glass no Shiro and Saint Rosalind, passed away peacefully on October 3 at the age of 97. Her official staff confirmed that she died in her sleep, concluding a life dedicated to manga.
Born on May 16, 1929, Watanabe began her career in 1952 by illustrating for rental manga publishers before debuting with titles such as Suama-chan and Namida no Sanbika. Her artistic range extended beyond shojo, encompassing horror stories and mature, alluring character designs.
Watanabe maintained an active career spanning 68 years, continuing to create work until 2020. In 2006, she became the first female manga artist to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Her dedication was noted by her editor, who recalled that she completed her 2020 work, Chinese Strange Tales: Akai Himo, entirely on her own to avoid contact with assistants during the pandemic.
Following a period of illness in the autumn of 2021, Watanabe shared in March 2023 that she had recovered and was enjoying a quiet life. Her staff intends to continue sharing her original drawings and unpublished works to honor her legacy.
