Jiro Kuwata

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Jiro Kuwata (桑田 二郎, Kuwata Jirō, alternatively 桑田 次郎; April 17, 1935 – July 2, 2020^[1]) was a Japanese manga artist.

Kuwata was born in Suita, Osaka. He started out as a manga artist at the young age of 13, when he created The Strange Star Cluster (怪奇星団) in 1948. His turning point came in 1957, when he created Maboroshi Tantei (まぼろし探偵, Phantom Detective) (which was adapted into a tokusatsu TV series in 1959). Since then, Kuwata devoted himself to creating science fiction/superhero adventures. His most famous was 8 Man, which he co-created with writer Kazumasa Hirai.

Unfortunately, in 1965, when he was to finish the final issue of 8 Man, he was arrested for possessing a handgun (he had contemplated suicide). With Kuwata in jail, co-creator Hirai got other manga artists to finish the final issue, but wasn't satisfied with it. It was published in a manga magazine, but has never before been reprinted.

Nevertheless, Kuwata, released from prison shortly thereafter, continued his manga work well into the 1970s, but also ran into depression and alcoholism. In 1977, he had an epiphany and converted to Buddhism. He has since done beautiful art books about the life of Buddha. He also occasionally got back into manga work, and in 1992, he agreed to do his own version of the final issue of 8 Man, upon being asked by co-creator/friend Kazumasa Hirai.

Kuwata passed away at age 85 in Suita, Osaka.

Manga adaptations of TV shows

• Moonlight Mask
• Batman Shonen King, June 1966^[2]
• Ultra Seven
• The Time Tunnel
• The Invaders

• Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan