The mangaka Leiji Matsumoto, father of 'Captain Harlock', has died

(ANSA) - TOKYO, FEBRUARY 20 - Akira 'Leiji' Matsumoto, mangaka legend of Japanese animation and father of the space pirate Harlock, died last week at the age of 85 from heart failure.

This was announced today by the Toei production studio.

    Throughout his decades-long career Matsumoto was particularly known for science fiction works such as 'Battleship Yamato' (1974) and 'Galaxy Express 999' (1977), but it was above all the series 'Captain Harlock' (1977) that made him famous throughout the world.

(HANDLE).