Shounen Jump
Obituary
We regret to announce the passing of Tetsuya Chiba, who created numerous masterpieces over a 70-year career.
Mr. Chiba made significant contributions not only to his creative work but also to the development of the manga industry and the nurturing of future generations of manga artists.
We express our deepest respect and gratitude for his great achievements.
We offer our heartfelt condolences.
Weekly Shonen Jump Editorial Department, V Jump Editorial Department
Jump SQ. Editorial Department, Saikyo Jump Editorial Department
Shonen Jump+ Editorial Department, Jump Toon Editorial Department
Shounen Sunday
It is with profound sadness that we report the passing of Mr. Tetsuya Chiba, who created numerous masterpieces and led the manga industry.
He had a tremendous influence on the artists and editorial team at Shonen Sunday.
At our company, he continued to dedicate himself to serializing *Hinemossu Notari Diary* until the very end, while also making significant contributions to nurturing the next generation and the development of the manga industry as a whole.
We once again express our deepest respect for his great achievements and offer our heartfelt gratitude.
We sincerely pray for Mr. Chiba's soul to rest in peace.
Shonen Sunday Editorial Department
Yaguchi's(Tsurikichi Sanpei author) daughter
I am at a loss for words upon hearing the news of Mr. Chiba Tetsuya's passing. I pray for his soul's eternal peace. Please be friends with Yaguchi in the world of manga stars. In October 2016, at the opening ceremony when the relief of Tsurikichi Sanpei was unveiled at Akita Airport, Ms. Sato Michiko came with us. A video from when she drew a signature on the replica original artwork at her husband's request. Ah, I truly have no words. (Yaguchi's second daughter, Kaoru)
Kingdom author
Mr. Tetsuya Chiba has passed away. When I had the honor of interviewing him in February this year, he was in such good spirits that I simply can't believe it. I come from the "Tetsuya Chiba Award," and Mr. Chiba had always been watching over me since my debut. Mr. Chiba's contributions to the manga world are so immense that I can never repay him.
Sir, thank you so very much.
Thank you for all your hard work. I sincerely pray for the repose of your soul.
Hajime no Ippo author
Thank you very much!
He posted this before the announcement about chiba's manga so he msut have known ahead of time
【The Mystery of Chiba Tetsuya's Manga】 Almost all of his works are structured as dramas rather than stories. The progression of the narrative often relies on reactions between characters, leaving it up to the characters themselves. And the protagonist in those is a huge problem: hot-tempered, self-centered, quick to lash out—and he sticks to that through and through. Chiba's manga is often called the "textbook" of the industry, but in reality, it's hard to emulate. There are plenty of cases where trying to follow his style ends up making the protagonist hated by readers. Uesugi Teppei would definitely be a nuisance and an unpleasant guy if he lived next door. It's common for the story to progress through interactions between such unpleasant characters. Teppei—his dad, and Mattarō—the old man, are prime examples of that. Yet they aren't hated; you can't take your eyes off them. Why is he able to draw them so compellingly? The essence of Mr. Chiba's genius lies in his powers of depiction, which is also the greatest mystery for those who aspire to it. The original source, "Ore wa Teppei," is packed with that mystery. I highly recommend giving it a read to get closer to unraveling it. In my own Chiba-style manga, I sidelined Takamura Mamoru, who should have been the protagonist by rights. I had absolutely no confidence in controlling him or making him likable. It remains a mystery to this day.
Invincible Subaru author
I was deeply shocked to hear the news of Mr. Tetsuya Chiba's passing from a friend.
Mr. Tetsuya Chiba is a teacher who took great care of me during my time at Bunsei University of Art.
I know of no manga artist with greater humanity than Mr. Tetsuya Chiba.
When I was looking for an advisor to start a basketball club, he kindly offered, "If it's okay with you, I'll do it," and from then on, he came to watch our games at inter-sporting events.
Every morning, he would play catch with the students and emphasized to us, as manga artists, the importance of staying active and moving our bodies.
He would look at the crude manga I drew and sketch corrections by hand, saying, "Wouldn't this make it easier to see?"
After I graduated from Bunsei University of Art, every time I sneaked into Mr. Tetsuya Chiba's room and brought him my drawings, he would graciously read them and share his thoughts.
Every manga he said "This is interesting!" about went on to win awards.
When my serialization began on Jump+, he went out of his way to quote it on Twitter at the time and share his impressions.
Mr. Tetsuya Chiba is one of the reasons I became a manga artist, one of my mentor teachers.
Because I became a manga artist, our distance grew instead, and I wanted to someday meet him again once I'd made a name for myself and thank him properly.
I am truly grateful.
Since he loved manga and was always drawing it, I imagine he'll keep drawing manga even in heaven.
My deepest condolences.
Ah my goddess author
When I received the Kodansha Manga Award, I had the chance to be with Mr. Tetsuya Chiba, who had won in a different category, and I still clearly remember that when we shook hands, his hand was so warm, large, and soft. I believe I must have received something from that hand.
Junji Ito
We sincerely pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Tetsuya Chiba. I can never forget how kindly he spoke with me at the Shogakukan alumni appreciation event when I met him years ago
Torishima(db editor and former jump eic)
My manga mentor has passed away.
Teppei was the foundation of my manga creation.
The analysis of the "clarity" of his manga became the basis of my manga meetings.
Our conversation at Comitia and the signed illustration he drew for me are treasures to me.
Rest in peace.
Kamudo author
Mr. Tetsuya Chiba, thank you so very, very much...
You gave me so many things that words cannot express. You supported the manga world, and above all, you stood by us manga artists, always greeting us with a warm smile and giving us so much healing and courage.
The other day on the 23rd, after celebrating Mr. Miyamoto's receipt of the Order of Culture, I also posted about you, Mr. Chiba. At that time, while in the studio's book storage, for some reason an envelope you'd given me long ago caught my eye.
When I pulled it out, it was a color paper illustration of a famous scene from *Ashita no Joe*, and it was so magnificent that I thought I'd share it in a post...
But then, out of nowhere, I wondered why I was preparing something like this right now— I couldn't quite figure it out myself, and a strange unease gnawed at me, so I decided against posting it.
Here's what that post from back then said:
"Two years ago, when Mr. Tetsuya Chiba—who received the Order of Culture— was still at Bunsei University of Art, I had the honor of sharing the stage with him at an event in Utsunomiya, and he gave me this color paper of a famous scene. It's my treasure
The way he treated each and every manga artist with such genuine care and sincerity left me in awe.
Around 2010, he took a keen interest in our manga's overseas activities and eagerly listened to our stories. Back when we still had to handle everything on our own as individuals, he earnestly advised us on copyright matters and helped us tremendously."
Looking back now... it was the day after you passed away on the 22nd...
There are just too many memories to count... I can't put them into words with just one sentence.
Thank you so very much.
You worked so hard. Please rest in peace.
I'll keep loving and drawing manga for a long time to come.
Please watch over the future of manga, okay?
At that time, the only one who would listen to me seriously about my overseas activities was Mr. Chiba.
The tweet in question for the 23
Mr. Tetsuya Chiba was selected for the Order of Culture two years ago. It's truly a source of pride to see the long-standing achievements and contributions of my beloved teachers recognized.
Maho Shoujo Ako author
Mr. Chiba Tetsuya.
As a manga artist, you taught me so many, many important things.
I can still vividly recall everything you told me during my school days.
I want to make full use of everything you taught me and keep pushing forward from here on out.
Thank you so, so much.
Sister Don't Cry Author
Mr. Chiba.
Ten years ago, thank you so much for selecting my immature work for the Grand Prize at the Chiba Tetsuya Award.
At the award ceremony when we met,
you showed me a drawing of the character you'd sketched in the corner of a page in the collection, and said,
"In the judge's comments, I wrote, 'It might have been okay to show the facial scar,' but even after that, I kept thinking about it... I gave it a try and drew it, but yeah, not showing the scar was definitely the right choice."
That moment has stayed with me so vividly.
Even after the judging was over, for you to keep thinking about a total newbie's comic like that, and to share it with me so openly and equally—your warm, generous spirit, and the way you truly cherish manga and mangaka—it's been a constant source of support for me these past ten years, knowing that someone like you recognized my work.
Without winning the Chiba Tetsuya Award, I don't think I would have pursued this path. Thank you for making me a manga artist.
I, too, want to contribute to the manga industry in whatever ways I can, starting by creating my own work as solidly as possible.
Please rest in peace.
My deepest condolences.
The award winning work mentioned
Thermae Romae author
I was still reading the ongoing serialization of *Hinemossu Star's Diary*, and I had been convinced that Mr. Tetsuya Chiba would continue drawing manga forever. When preconceptions go too far, the shock hits even harder. A magnificent life as a cartoonist, wielding every sensitivity and rich experience—thank you for your hard work. The photo is a three-shot with Mr. Go Nagai.
Megumi Ogata (prolific va)
"I love Joe, and Rikiishi too!"
At the party where we first met, I launched into a lengthy otaku-style conversation, and he laughed, pulled out a Joe telephone card from his pocket, quickly signed it, and handed it to me. It's a treasured possession.
Thank you for your wonderful works.
I offer my deepest condolences.
#Tetsuya Chiba
Weekly Shonen Magazine 2026 - #45 (10/07/2026)
Lead Color Pages: Zero to Hyaku
