Momoko Sakura, Creator of ‘Chibi Maruko-chan’ Passes Away at 53

Aug 28, 18 at 3:14pm

Serena Rei

The anime and manga industry has lost another icon—Momoko Sakura, the creator of the popular long-running manga series Chibi Maruko-chan has passed away at age 53 on August 15 due to breast cancer. A private wake and funeral services was already held and attended by her family.

Born on May 8, 1965 in Shimizu City, Shizuoka, Momoko Sakura debut as a manga artist when she was still in college in 1984. Her popular comedy manga work Chibi Maruko-chan was serialized in Ribon from 1986 to 1996. It sold over 32 million copies in print. A four-panel version of the manga was released in 2007 in a Japanese newspaper but ended in 2011.

The manga’s popularity also paved way to an anime adaptation which reached a total of more than 1,100 episodes to date.

Rest in Peace, Momoko Sakura. You will never be forgotten through your icon work and your legacy will live on forever.

Source: Hachima Kiko, Oricon, and Momoko Sakura’s official blog, via Anime News Network

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