Popolocrois Story Manga Author Yousuke Tamori Dies at 74

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© Yousuke Tamori, fukkan.com

The official website of the Japan Cartoonists Association announced on April 20 that manga author Yousuke Tamori had died on April 10. He was 74.

A private funeral attended by family members was held, in accordance with Tamori's wishes. 

Tamori's personal website has also posted an announcement regarding his death. The website also posted a previous message from Tamori expressing his intention of participating in the upcoming Japan Comic Art Expo that will be held on May 9-10. 

Tamori made his debut with his Popolocrois Story (Popolocrois Monogatari) manga. Tamori published the manga in Dakkusu and Puff (Pafu) in 1978-1979 before serializing it in Asahi Shōgakusei Shimbun from 1981 to 1986. Poplar Publishing republished the series into three compiled volumes in 2003.  

A television anime adaptation, also titled Popolocrois Monogatari, ran from 1998 to 1999. An anime sequel, simply titled PoPoLoCrois, ran from 2003 to 2004 with a new main character.

The manga also inspired a series of game adaptations since 1996. The game series celebrated is 20th anniversary in 2016. XSEED Games released Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale for the Nintendo 3DS in March that year, and a sequel smartphone game launched in 2018.

Sources: Japan Cartoonists Association, Sponichi Annex via livedoor News