Leiji Matsumoto, Legendary Manga Creator, Dies Of Heart Attack

Matsumoto's cult works such as "Space Battleship Yamato", "Captain Harlock" and "Galaxy Express 999" were adapted into animated TV series and films that enjoyed global popularity in the 1970s and 80s.

Manga master Leiji Matsumoto, whose epic sci-fi stories were highly influential in Japan's comic-book and anime worlds, has died aged 85, production company Toei said Monday.

Matsumoto's cult works such as "Space Battleship Yamato", "Captain Harlock" and "Galaxy Express 999" were adapted into animated TV series and films that enjoyed global popularity in the 1970s and 80s.

He also supervised production of an anime set to the songs of French electro duo Daft Punk, who used part of the film as the music video for their 2000 hit "One More Time".

The artist died last week of heart failure, Toei said in a statement.