Japanese manga and anime creator Matsumoto Leiji, known for his signature cosmic anime works, died of acute heart failure on February 13. He was 85.

Matsumoto gained fame for his "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Battleship Yamato."

A native of Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, Matsumoto marked his debut as a manga artist at the age of 15. He later settled in Tokyo.

He gained nationwide popularity with the comedy manga series "Otoko Oidon," first published in 1971, depicting the life of a poor young man living in a small rented room. He was also involved in the creation of the smash-hit TV anime series, "Space Battleship Yamato," which was later made into a film series.

Matsumoto also authored "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Pirate Captain Harlock," which both became animated TV series.

He is known for his meticulously detailed drawings of spaceships that he researched extensively. His designs had a major impact on later science-fiction works.

Matsumoto, whose father was an army pilot, is also known for his drawings about war over a period of 50 years. His works stressed the value of life.

He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2010 by the Japanese government for his achievements.

His science fiction anime also became popular on a global scale. He was given the award "Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters" by the French government in 2012.