Hiroshi Manabe, an illustrator, died of cancerous lymphatic vessel disease at a Tokyo hospital on Tuesday afternoon. He was 68.
Upon graduation from Tama University of Arts, Manabe, a native of Ehime Prefecture, began work as an artist and later became an illustrator.
In 1960, he won the first Kodansha Illustration Award. He formed the Animation Three-Man Society with Yoji Kuri and Ryohei Yanagihara and drew numerous illustrations for books, including works by the late science fiction writer Shinichi Hoshi. He was also known as an essayist. Among his memorable works is "Hiroshi Manabe Originals '85."
The date for a funeral service, where his eldest son Makoto will serve as chief mourner, has yet to be decided, relatives said.