Kazuhiko Kato, the Japanese manga artist known by his pen name Monkey Punch, died on April 11, 2019, at the age of 81. The cause was pneumonia, according to a statement from his studio and publisher.
Kato was best known as the creator of the long-running manga and anime series Lupin III, which follows the adventures of the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin III. The series began in 1967 and spawned numerous television series, films, and specials.
His death was announced by his studio, Monkey Punch Studio, and his publisher, Futabasha, on April 16, 2019. A private funeral was held with close family members.
