Tetsuya Chiba, a renowned Japanese manga artist best known for his influential boxing series "Ashita no Joe" ("Fighting for Tomorrow"), has died at the age of 87. His publisher, Kodansha Ltd., announced his death on Tuesday, stating that he passed away last Thursday in a Tokyo hospital. No cause of death was disclosed.

Chiba's work, particularly "Ashita no Joe," became a cultural phenomenon in Japan, drawing widespread attention and deeply resonating with readers. The series tells the story of Joe Yabuki, an orphan who rises to become a professional boxer. The story's impact was so profound that fans once held a mock funeral for a character who was Joe’s rival, reflecting the emotional connection readers had with the narrative.

Born in Tokyo in January 1939, Chiba spent much of his early childhood in northeastern China during Japan’s occupation of the region. His father worked at a printing factory there. When Japan surrendered in August 1945, Chiba was six years old, and his family was still living in China. During this time, they endured significant hardship amid anti-Japanese riots and widespread hunger. According to accounts, Chiba’s family survived these conditions with assistance from his father’s Chinese translator, who sheltered them in an attic, where the young Chiba drew pictures to entertain his three younger brothers.

Chiba’s experiences during the war left a lasting impression, influencing both his creative work and his activism. Throughout his career, he was a vocal advocate for peace and freedom of expression, themes that frequently appeared in his autobiographical manga. His storytelling often reflected the challenges and traumas of war, emphasizing resilience and the human spirit.

Chiba began his professional career as a manga artist in 1956. Initially, he focused on comic books for girls, but by the early 1960s, he shifted his attention to stories targeting a male audience, culminating in the success of "Ashita no Joe."

His contributions to manga have been widely recognized for their depth, emotional storytelling, and social messaging, securing his place as one of Japan’s most influential manga artists.