In the May 2025 issue of Monthly Big Comic Spirits, which released today on March 27, 2025, a special tribute feature honors the late Kazuo Umezu. Umezu was a legendary figure in horror and gag manga, who passed away at age 88 on October 28, 2024. Renowned manga artists from across generations contributed illustrations, with some writing heartfelt messages to commemorate his influence on the manga world.
Among the tributes is Hirohiko Araki, creator of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Araki drew Makoto Sawada, the snot-nosed kindergartner protagonist from Makoto-chan, one of Umezu’s popular gag manga. Araki, who grew up reading Umezu’s works, was especially inspired by his horror stories.
Hirohiko Araki’s Tribute Art – Makoto Sawada
The top of the illustration says “To Kazuo Umezu-sensei“.
Other Artists
Other featured artists include:
- Moto Hagio (The Poe Clan, The Heart of Thomas) drew a curly-haired girl startled by a dark presence, with “I love you, Umezu-sensei!” written on top.
- Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha, Maison Ikkoku) drew art of a girl from Orochi pointing and thanked Umezu for all his entertaining works.
- Masami Yuki (Patlabor) commented how even Ultraman could be scary when drawn by Umezu.
- Naoki Urasawa (20th Century Boys, Monster) drew Umezu in his iconic red-and-white striped shirt, praising his legacy.
- Junji Ito (Uzumaki, Tomie) channels Umezu’s eerie style with a composition full of characters and monsters from various works, such as Fourteen and Orochi.
- Noboru Takahashi (Mole’s Song) drew Numera Umera breathing fire from God’s Left Hand, Devil’s Right Hand.
- Usamaru Furuya (Lychee Light Club, Teiichi’s Country) contributed a colored drawing of Makoto with a message of thanks for unforgettable stories of fear, laughter, and love.
- Inio Asano (Goodnight Punpun, Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction) contributed art of a girl pointing from Orochi.
- Shuzo Oshimi (The Flowers of Evil, Blood on the Tracks) drew Satoru and Marin from My Name is Shingo.
- George Morikawa (Hajime no Ippo) drew a scared Ippo screaming in fear with Makoto Bugs on his body, as well as a message thanking Umezu.
- Yusuke Murata (One Punch Man, Eyeshield 21) drew characters from Cat Eyed Boy with a thank you message to Umezu.
- Shoko Nakagawa drew Umezu and several characters from his works.
