Legendary Manga Artist Shin'ichi Abe Has Passed Away; Miyoko Asagaya's Fans Mourn His Loss

ASTON COMICS - Manga artist Shin'ichi Abe, internationally renowned for his work That Miyoko Asagaya Feeling, has passed away at the age of 76.

His son, musician Kōsei Abe, announced that the veteran creator died on September 4, 2026, following a battle with submandibular gland cancer. His family held a private funeral attended by close relatives.

Abe leaves behind a career spanning more than five decades, beginning with the manga Yasashii Hito in 1970. He became closely associated with the Japanese alternative manga movement during the 1970s, producing deeply personal stories often drawn from his own experiences and relationships.

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Shin'ichi Abe Known for His Personal Alternative Manga

One of Abe's most recognized works is That Miyoko Asagaya Feeling, a manga that blends autobiographical elements with a portrait of relationships and life as an artist.

This work was eventually published in English by Glacier Bay Books, allowing a new generation of international readers to discover Abe's distinctive approach to manga.

International recognition for the manga grew when its English edition received a nomination at the 2020 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards in the Best Archival Collection/Project category. The nomination highlighted the enduring significance of Abe's work beyond Japan's domestic manga market.

Abe's bibliography also includes Aihasu no Kazoku and contributions to AX: Alternate Manga. His work remained closely tied to the alternative and underground side of Japanese comics, where creators could explore personal experiences and unconventional storytelling outside of mainstream commercial formulas.

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That Miyoko Asagaya Feeling was adapted into a live-action film in 2009, further demonstrating the enduring appeal of Abe's stories. The manga remains his best-known work among English-speaking readers, particularly for its profound depiction of artistic life and personal relationships.

Abe's passing marks another significant loss for the Japanese alternative manga community. Beginning his professional career in 1970, he spent several decades developing a distinctive style that helped document personal and artistic experiences within the world of Japanese alternative comics.