A: Hey there! Did you hear about the latest news?
B: Nope, what's up?

A: They just published the final collection of horror stories by Umezu Kazuo, remember him?
B: Oh yeah, the Japanese manga artist, right? What happened to him?

A: Well, he passed away last October at 88 years old. But before that, his first volume of "Scary Book" series came out in 2021, and they planned a sequel for this year as it marks 70 years since his debut.
B: Wow, that's sad but amazing how he managed to finish his work during his last days.

A: That's the thing! Despite being in a hospice for terminal cancer, Umezu oversaw the collection and even chose the stories himself.
B: Incredible! How did he do that? Was he still full of energy?

A: From what I heard, he was sitting on his bed with a red and white striped blanket, looking like he had plenty of creative energy left.
B: That's so cool! What kind of stories are in the collection?

A: It features rare short and middle-length horror stories from the 60s to the 90s. One of them is called "Akanbo Shojo," where a girl who never grew up attacks her innocent younger sister.
B: Sounds creepy but fascinating! I can't wait to check it out.

A: There will also be a farewell event for Umezu this Wednesday in Tokyo, in the area where he lived long-time.
B: That sounds like a must-visit for fans of his work. Thanks for sharing this cool news with me!
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The final collection of horror stories by the late Japanese manga artist Umezu Kazuo has been published.



Umezu died last October at the age of 88.



The first volume of his "Scary Book" series was published in 2021. His publisher planned a sequel this year to mark the 70th anniversary of Umezu's debut.



Umezu oversaw the making of the collection, although he was in a hospice receiving care for terminal cancer. He spoke with the editing staff from his bed and reportedly chose the stories himself.



The collection features his rare short and middle-length horror stories from the 1960s through the 90s.



They include "Akanbo Shojo," in which a girl who does not grow up and remains looking like a baby, attacks her innocent younger sister.



Kishimoto Aki, an editor from Kadokawa Bunko, said Umezu appeared full of creative energy, sitting on his bed with a blanket bearing his trademark red and white stripes.



Kishimoto described Umezu's works as not only scary but beautifully invoking deep sorrow and a sense of loss.



A farewell event for Umezu will be held on Wednesday in Tokyo's Kichijoji area, where the artist long resided.