Tokyo: Famed Japanese manga artist Leiji Matsumoto, known for his “Galaxy Express 999” and other epic science fiction works, died of acute heart failure at a Tokyo hospital Feb. 13. He was 85.

Born in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, Matsumoto, whose real given name was Akira, was also involved in the production of the popular anime series “Space Battleship Yamato.”

He made a debut with “Mitsubachi no Boken,” which he contributed to a magazine when he was 16 years old.

After graduating from high school, he created comic books for girls. He moved to Tokyo in 1958.

In 1972, Matsumoto won the Kodansha Publishing Culture Award for “Otoko Oidon,” which comically depicts a poor young man and people around him.

“Space Battleship Yamato,” which was broadcast on television from 1974, became a huge hit, sparking an anime boom.

In 1978, Matsumoto received the Shogakukan Manga Award for “Galaxy Express 999,” which features an adventure of young boy Tetsuro and mysterious beauty Maetel, and for a Pacific War-themed manga series.

He served as president of the Young Astronauts Club and honorary chief of the Koriyama City Fureai Science Museum in the northeastern prefecture of Fukushima and many other facilities, conveying his passion for space to children.

Matsumoto was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2001 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in 2010 by the Japanese government. He also won the French order of Chevalier for contributions to arts in 2012.

JIJI Press