Pioneering manga creator Masako Watanabe has passed away at the age of 97. According to an announcement shared via her official X (formerly Twitter) account, the influential artist died on October 3 at 12:38 a.m. JST. Her remarkable career spanned over seventy years, helping to shape the foundations of modern storytelling for young readers.
Born in Tokyo in 1929, Watanabe made her professional debut in 1952 with the story Suama-chan. Throughout her extensive career, she specialized in shojo and josei manga, earning widespread critical acclaim for her expressive artwork and dramatic narratives. Her talent was officially recognized in 1971 when she received the 16th Shogakukan Manga Award for her acclaimed series Glass no Shiro (Glass Castle). Demonstrating an extraordinary lifelong dedication to her craft, she remarkably launched the Himegoto manga in 2020 at the age of 91.
A Lasting Industry Legacy
Watanabe's impact on the Japanese manga ecosystem extended far beyond her creative output. In 2002, she was honored with the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 31st Japan Cartoonists Association Awards. History was made in 2006 when she became the first female manga creator to receive the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun decoration from the Japanese government. Furthermore, she served as a director for the Japan Cartoonists Association, guiding and supporting generations of fellow artists.
Her extensive bibliography includes notable works such as Dai-San no Onna, Hakuba no Shōjo, Mimi to Nana, and Saint Rosalind, while her 1985 series Hitori Matsuri was adapted into a live-action television drama. Watanabe leaves behind an enduring footprint on manga history, remembered for her boundless artistic passion and pioneering spirit.
