Yoshiharu Tsuge  

Tsuge was raised by his mother under challenging circumstances due to his father's disappearance. After completing primary school, he had to work to support himself and his family. Despite feeling unwell during adolescence, at the age of 14, he decided to stow away on a cargo ship bound for the United States. However, he was discovered by coastal guards and returned home. At 16, Tsuge began drawing for small rental libraries as a means of earning a living. Unfortunately, this market disappeared in the following decade, leaving him without employment. Poverty forced him to consider suicide attempts, but eventually, he found a new opportunity with Garo magazine in 1965. From then on, Tsuge presented his works, which were considered masterpieces, in this publication. Tsuge's approach to storytelling was always innovative and different from the established norm set by Tezuka. Between 1966 and 1976, he traveled throughout Japan, visiting small villages, uninhabited regions, and other remote areas to gather inspiration for new stories. Depression has halted his career several times, but despite this, Tsuge's works have remained timeless and continue to be reprinted since the 1960s. Critics widely acclaim his contributions to the manga scene, and two of his works have been adapted into movies. Today, Tsuge is considered a cult-mangaka whose influence continues to inspire new generations of artists.