Kazuo Umezu (Manga artist)

Kazuo Umezu is a Japanese manga creator, celebrity, and songwriter from Koya, Wakayama Prefecture. His major works include “The Drifting Classroom”, “Orochi: Blood”, and “My Name is Shingo”.

Umezu is an important figure in the manga industry because he was one of the first artists to delve into the horror genre and his works have influenced countless writers and artists over the years. He has also become a pop culture icon for his wacky personality, striped shirt, and the trademark “Gwashi!” hand gesture he established in his long-running gag manga “Makoto-chan”.

Native name: 楳図かずお (UMEZU Kazuo)
Occupation: Manga artist
Birthplace: Koya, Wakayama Prefecture
Born: September 3, 1936 (age 79)
Debuted: 1955

Filmography as director

Year	Movie
2014	Mother

Filmography as writer

Year	Movie
2014	Mother
2006	God’s Left Hand, Devil’s Right Hand

Filmography as actor

Year	Movie	Role
2009	Gwashi! Umezu Kazuo Desu	Himself
2006	God’s Left Hand, Devil’s Right Hand
2005	Tokyo Zombie	Akiyama / Prince

Latest news

Mimi Maihane to co-star in Kazuo Umezu’s directorial debut “Mother”

Former Takarazuka Revue star Mimi Maihane will play the heroine of horror manga pioneer Kazuo Umezu’s upcoming film Mother.In the film, which marks Umezu’s screenwriting and directorial at the...

3 years ago
Horror manga pioneer Kazuo Umezu makes directorial debut at 77

On Wednesday it was announced that legendary horror manga artist Kazuo Umezu is writing and directing a film for the first time at the age of 77. The movie is titled Mother and is based on an...

3 years ago