Remains of "Shin chan" Author Found in Mountains in Gunma

On the morning of the 19th, a mountain climber discovered some male remains beneath a cliff in the Arafune mountains, on the border of Gunma and Nagano Prefectures. The Gunma police went to investigate the possibility of it being manga "Crayon Shin Chan" author Usui Yoshito, whose wearabouts were unknown. The remains were pulled up and examined on the 20th.
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Mr. Usui had said that he was headed to Gunma/Nagano's Arafune mountains (1422.5 meters). Having left and not returned, his whereabouts had been unknown since the 11th. His family requested a search from Kasukabe branch of the Saitama Prefecture police on the 12th. Contacting both Gunma and Nagano police, they searched the Arafune mountains and nearby prefectural border with helicopters and police dogs.

Mr. Usui was a resident of Kasukabe in Saitama Prefecture. His best known manga work Crayon Shin chan, in which Kasukabe kindegartener Nohara Shinnosuke is the main character, began serialization in Futabasha's "Weekly Manga Action" in August of 1990. It is currently serialized in the same company's "Manga Town" magazine. It has also been made into TV anime as well as theatrical features.

Source: http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/090919 ... 014-n1.htm

I can't say that I have had too much exposure to Crayon Shin chan at this point in my life, but it was always one of those shows/manga I'd always wanted to "get around to" some day. None the less, judging from what I have seen of it, it seems to be quite a great work in its own unique way. It's always unfortunate when someone who did such a great job of creating their vision is not able to see it through to the end.

Oh, wow. These are devastating news! I grew up with some of Usui Yoshito's works that were released in my country, but nevertheless, the author wasn't finished with his work and with his life (goals) yet.
I'm just happy for the family that his remains were found, allowing them to grieve in earnest...

Another master that has gone before he could finish what he wanted to accomplish.
Thanks for translating this, Stiltz!


My condolences to the family and friends.

This really is a loss. I was following the story from when he was first reported missing on the 12th, and I held out hope until the end that somehow he'd be found safely, even though the situation looked grim. He died trying to accomplish a goal, to climb the Arafune mountains. Let's hope he's at peace and the family has the proper time to grieve.