Anime fans mourn Kazuki Takahashi, manga artist who created Yu-Gi-Oh! universe

Fans, voice actors and other members of the anime community are coming together on social media to pay tribute to Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi, who died in a diving accident on Wednesday. He was 60.

Takahashi was best known for the classic manga comic that spawned a popular anime series and trading-card game of the same name. According to the BBC, Takahashi’s body was found off the coast of Japan after a snorkeling trip in the Okinawa prefecture. On Thursday, the official Twitter account for Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game confirmed the manga author’s death.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Mr. Kazuki Takahashi,� the Twitter statement read. “We are deeply grateful for the wonderful ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ universe that he has created, and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

“Together, with his countless fans, we pledge to carry on the ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! legacy with all the love and care it deserves.�

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Takahashi created the beloved world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, which first appeared in the Japanese comic magazine Shonen Jump from 1996 to 2004. The comic followed a teenager named Yugi Muto who solves an ancient Egyptian puzzle that unlocks a dark and mighty alter ego.

The original manga then spawned a popular anime series, a trading card game and various spinoff films, opening Takahashi’s universe to multiple generations of anime enthusiasts.

On Thursday, fans and members of the anime community honored Takahashi.

“Sensei created a role that would help define my voice acting career. He once told me my version of Seto Kaiba was his favorite. RIP,� tweeted voice actor Eric Stuart, who lent his voice to numerous “Yu-Gi-Oh!� characters in the series’ version dubbed into English.

“RIP Kazuki Takahashi, and eternal thanks for creating Yu-Gi-Oh!,� tweeted fellow anime voice actor Cassandra Lee Morris, who voiced Alice and Yubel in “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.� “I’m forever grateful for the memories and still amazed I got to be part of it. Your spirit will live on in the heart of the cards.�

San Diego Comic-Con also paid tribute to Takahashi, who received its honorary Inkpot Award in 2015. The official Twitter account said its “sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.�

Hypland, a clothing brand that specializes in anime merchandise, tweeted, “RIP Kazuki Takahashi.�

“Thank you for the community and everything you’ve created. Have definitely touched the lives of millions of people,� the brand said in another tweet.