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Leiji Matsumoto's Real Name: Akira Matsumoto
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Leiji Matsumoto (松本零士) 本名: Akira Matsumoto (松本晟)
Answer: Leiji Matsumoto's real name is Akira Matsumoto (松本晟). He created Galaxy Express 999 and Captain Harlock.
Akira Matsumoto was born on January 25, 1938, in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. He made his manga debut as a teenager under his real name and later adopted the pen name 松本零士. The given name 零士 is commonly read "Reiji"; he romanized it as "Leiji."
He is best known for space operas: Space Battleship Yamato (he was a key designer and director of the 1974 anime), Galaxy Express 999, and Space Pirate Captain Harlock. His designs, with long-haired heroines and tall, scarred heroes, became iconic. He also collaborated with the French band Daft Punk on the animated film Interstella 5555 (2003).
He died on February 13, 2023. His death was reported worldwide, including by NHK and AP.
FAQ
How do you read 松本零士? Matsumoto Reiji; he romanized it as Leiji Matsumoto.
What did Leiji Matsumoto create? Galaxy Express 999, Captain Harlock, and he co-created Space Battleship Yamato.