Photo/Illutration Fujiko Fujio A stands in front of a poster for his manga "The Laughing Salesman" in 2020. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Fujiko Fujio A, the creator of such popular manga as “Ninja Hattori,” “The Laughing Salesman” and the autobiographical manga “Manga Michi,” has died.

He was 88.

Born as Motoo Abiko in Himi, Toyama Prefecture, Fujiko Fujio A formed a popular manga duo with his childhood friend Hiroshi Fujimoto, who took on the pen name of Fujiko F. Fujio.

The duo used the name Fujiko Fujio in creating such popular manga as “Obake no Q-Taro.”

“Manga Michi” (The way of manga) described life at the legendary Tokiwa-so apartment building in Tokyo where a number of budding young manga artists, such as Fujiko Fujio, Fujio Akatsuka and Shotaro Ishinomori, lived and worked.

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Fujiko Fujio A, right, and Fujiko F. Fujio with the popular Doraemon character in 1980 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)