Leiji Matsumoto

2.1. Birth and Childhood

Leiji Matsumoto was born Akira Matsumoto on January 25, 1938, in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He was the middle child in a family of seven brothers. In his early childhood, around 1940, his family resided in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, near the Kakamigahara Airfield, due to his father's work as a test pilot. From the age of four to six, they lived in company housing provided by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Aerospace Company in Akashi, Hyōgo Prefecture. During World War II, the family was evacuated to his mother's hometown, Niya village (now Ōzu City) in Kita District, Ehime Prefecture.

Matsumoto's childhood was marked by poverty, as his family of ten lived in a barrack-like tenement. Despite these hardships, he developed a passion for drawing around age six. He frequently witnessed American military aircraft, including B-29 bombers, flying towards Matsuyama City for air raids, an experience that would later infuse his works with themes of war and the vastness of the sky. His father, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto (1904-1980), was a distinguished Army Air Force pilot who rose from a private to a major, fighting until the end of the war in a Ki-84 "Hayate" fighter. This image of his father as a "true samurai" later served as a model for iconic characters like Captain Harlock and Juzo Okita. Matsumoto himself recalled stomping on candies thrown by occupation soldiers, refusing to accept anything from the "enemy."

2.2. Education and Early Influences

After the war, when Matsumoto was in third grade, his family moved to Kokura City (now Kitakyushu), Fukuoka Prefecture. During his time at Kokura City Yonemachi Elementary School (now Kitakyushu City Kokura Chuo Elementary School), he was an avid manga enthusiast. He co-founded the "Kyushu Manga Research Group" with friends like Kenichiro Takai and presided over their fanzine, "Kyushu Manga Exhibition." His aspiration to become a manga artist was solidified in elementary school when he encountered the works of Osamu Tezuka, particularly Shin Takarajima, King Kong, Dr. Mars, and Gentleman of the Moon. He began drawing manga seriously at age nine, inspired by Tezuka.

Matsumoto's early literary influences included science fiction novels by authors such as Unno Juza and H. G. Wells. At 15, while a first-year student at Fukuoka Prefectural Kokura Minami High School, his submission "Mitsubachi no Bōken" (The Adventures of a Honeybee) was published in Manga Shōnen magazine in 1954, marking his professional debut. He also had numerous manga published in Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun from 1954 to 1957, often featuring insect protagonists. After graduating from high school in 1957, he moved to Tokyo to pursue his manga career, initially living in a four-and-a-half tatami mat room in Hongo, Bunkyo Ward. This period of poverty fueled his creative energy.

2.3. Family

Leiji Matsumoto was married to fellow manga artist Miyako Maki in 1962, and the couple moved to Nerima Ward the following year. Maki is also known as the creator of the popular Licca-chan doll. His younger brother, Susumu Matsumoto, is an emeritus professor at Waseda University's Graduate School and a former manager at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Nagasaki Research Institute. Matsumoto's mother, a former teacher, meticulously helped her children with their homework. He grew up seeing his mother endure hardship to support the family after his father's decision to live in poverty after the war, which instilled in him a determination to become the family's pillar and ensure his siblings could pursue higher education without financial burden.

3.1. Debut and Early Works

Leiji Matsumoto made his professional debut in 1954 at the age of 15, under his birth name, Akira Matsumoto, with the work Mitsubachi no Bōken (The Adventures of a Honeybee) published in Manga Shōnen magazine. His early career involved drawing for shōjo magazines like Shōjo and Shōjo Club, where he faced creative challenges. Around 1960, he expanded into shōnen and seinen magazines. For a period when he struggled with shōjo manga, he also worked as a writer, interviewing celebrities. He began using the pen name "Leiji Matsumoto" in parallel with "Akira Matsumoto" from 1965, eventually unifying his pen name to "Leiji Matsumoto" in 1968.

3.2. Rise to Prominence: Otoko Oidon and the "Sazōhan-mono" Genre

Matsumoto's breakthrough success came with Otoko Oidon (I'm a Man), a series that began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Magazine in 1971. This manga, which chronicled the life of a rōnin (a young man studying for university entrance exams) living in a four-and-a-half tatami mat room, became his first major hit in a shōnen magazine. Otoko Oidon was highly popular and earned him the Kodansha Manga Award in 1972. The series also established a unique genre known as "Sazōhan-mono" (four-and-a-half tatami mat stories), characterized by philosophical reflections on life, poverty, and youth, often with a humorous or melancholic tone. Other works in this genre include Ganso Daiyojōhan Dai Monogatari (Original Great Four-and-a-Half Tatami Mat Story) and Sei Bonjinden (The Legend of the Holy Common Man). Around the same period, he also created the mature-themed dark comedy Western seinen series Gun Frontier (1972-1975) and the Senjo Manga Series (War Manga Series), which later became known as The Cockpit, featuring unconnected short stories set during World War II.

3.3. The Anime Boom: Space Battleship Yamato, Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express 999

Matsumoto played a pivotal role in igniting the anime boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s. His involvement in Space Battleship Yamato (1974), initially as a mechanic designer, expanded to a comprehensive creative role due to his strong desire to create anime. Although the initial broadcast of Yamato suffered from low ratings, its reruns garnered immense popularity, and the 1977 theatrical film adaptation became a social phenomenon.



This success propelled Matsumoto into the spotlight, leading Toei Animation to recruit him as an image creator. He contributed designs to TV anime series such as Planet Robot Danguard Ace (1977) and SF Saiyuki Starzinger (1978). Capitalizing on the Yamato craze, his long-cherished projects, Galaxy Express 999 (1977) and Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1977), were greenlit for anime adaptations. Galaxy Express 999 became a massive hit, ushering in the "Leiji Matsumoto boom." In 1978, he received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen for both Galaxy Express 999 and Senjo Manga Series. The animated versions of Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 are set in the same universe, spawning several spin-offs and related series, most notably Queen Emeraldas and Queen Millennia. The peak of the Matsumoto anime boom lasted approximately five years, from 1977 to 1982, gradually subsiding around 1982 with the release of the films Arcadia of My Youth and the TV series Arcadia of My Youth: Endless Orbit SSX. For nearly two decades afterward, no new TV anime based on his works were produced. However, from the late 1990s onward, a new generation of creators, who grew up with his works, revitalized his anime adaptations.

3.4. Artistic Style and Worldview

Leiji Matsumoto's artistic style is instantly recognizable and deeply intertwined with his unique worldview. His works are characterized by mythological and often tragic storylines, infused with strong moral themes. He frequently depicted noble heroes, such as Captain Harlock, who embody freedom and defiance, and iconic, often melancholic, feminine heroines like Maetel and Queen Emeraldas, who represent beauty, mystery, and sacrifice. His narratives often explore themes of life, death, destiny, war, and humanity's place in the vast, strange cosmos.

A defining feature of his work is the "Star System" concept, where recurring character archetypes like Harlock, Tochiro, and Emeraldas appear across multiple, seemingly unrelated series. Matsumoto explained this as "the same actors playing different roles," or that it "naturally happens" as he draws. This creates an interconnected narrative universe, often referred to as the "Leijiverse," where works might be direct crossovers or exist as parallel worlds with similar character roles.

Matsumoto's fascination with space was profound; he often expressed a desire to travel to space, even if it was a one-way trip, and dreamed of being the first civilian space traveler. His works frequently feature intricate mechanical designs, particularly for spaceships and vehicles. He was meticulous about depicting real-life weaponry accurately, often obtaining blueprints and studying actual objects. He also had a passion for collecting antique guns and aviation watches, which informed his detailed mechanical drawings. His unique approach to depicting complex control panels and gauges, often circular or gear-shaped with multiple pointers, became known as the "Reiji Meter" or "Matsumoto Meter." This style influenced many Japanese SF anime and manga from the late 1970s to early 1980s, though it became less common with the rise of "real robot" anime that favored more realistic, computer-interface designs.

His personal experiences, such as observing military aircraft during childhood and his journey on a night train from Kokura to Tokyo after high school, served as direct inspirations for the themes and visuals in his works, notably for Galaxy Express 999. Matsumoto also had a deep appreciation for classical music, particularly the works of Richard Wagner. He was a self-proclaimed "Wagnerian" and even authored a book on Wagner titled The Revolutionary Musician Wagner, where he contributed both illustrations and text. The structural elements and recurring motifs in Wagner's operas, especially Der Ring des Nibelungen, are often reflected in Matsumoto's narratives, such as the dynamic of destructive male characters being saved by self-sacrificing female figures, and thematic parallels in Galaxy Express 999 and Captain Harlock.

3.5. Collaborations and Other Media

Leiji Matsumoto's creative reach extended far beyond manga and anime, encompassing various collaborations and design projects across different media.

He famously supervised the creation of several music videos for the French house music duo Daft Punk, set to tracks from their album Discovery. These videos were seamlessly connected to form a full-length animated film titled Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003). The collaboration came about because Daft Punk members were avid fans of Space Pirate Captain Harlock since childhood and personally visited Matsumoto in Japan to request his involvement.

Matsumoto also lent his distinctive design aesthetic to public transportation and facilities. He designed the Himiko, Hotaruna, and Emeraldas water buses for Tokyo Cruise Ship, all inspired by spaceships, with the Himiko beginning operation in 2004. He provided designs for "Ninja Trains" on the Iga Railway (1997, 2003) and for special wrapping trains on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line (2009-2014) and the Kitakyushu Monorail (2010-2016, and a new design in 2017). His characters, including Maetel and Tetsuro, also appeared on official documents like resident certificates and motor vehicle license plates in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, where he resided. In 1999, 28 bronze statues of characters and scenes from Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999 were erected in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, serving as symbols for the city.

Other notable contributions include designing mascot characters like "Space Knight" for the Kokura Velodrome in Kitakyushu, "Bearl" and "Merrow" for the Osaka Prefectural Large Children's Center Big Bang, and "Angelna" and "Meenyan" for the Koriyama Fureai Science Center. He designed one of the commemorative stamps for the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Japan in 2002. He also contributed illustrations for the Japanese edition of C. L. Moore's Northwest Smith space opera series (1971), a Godzilla illustration for a 1980 Mothra vs. Godzilla revival, and supervised character designs for the 2011 anime The Miracle of Hayabusa. In 2013, he drew the album cover for "Travel Sounds" by NaotoHiroki&karatesystems.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Matsumoto was a radio personality, co-hosting "Radio Manga-kan" with Akira Kamiya on Nippon Broadcasting System from 1980. He also held various academic positions, including professor at Takarazuka University and visiting professor at Kyoto Sangyo University and Digital Hollywood University.

3.6. Pen Name

Leiji Matsumoto initially used his birth name, Akira Matsumoto (松本晟^Japanese), as his pen name until 1968. He began using "Leiji Matsumoto" in parallel with "Akira Matsumoto" from 1965, before unifying it in 1968. The pen name "Leiji" (零士) is derived from several personal mottos and habits: "never forget the sensibility of an infant" (零歳児, reiji), the frequent occurrence of ideas only after midnight (午前零時, gozen reiji), and the idea of a "samurai" (士, shi or ji) who works until midnight every day. Matsumoto also stated that the "Rei" (零) in his name signifies "infinity," and "ji" (士) can also be read as "Akira," his given name.

When writing his name in Roman letters, Matsumoto intentionally used "Leiji" instead of "Reiji." This choice was inspired by "Lion L," a strong and formidable villain lion from Sōji Yamakawa's picture story Shōnen Ōja, which Matsumoto admired in his youth.

4.1. Marriage to Miyako Maki

Leiji Matsumoto married manga artist Miyako Maki in 1962. Maki is also a prominent figure in the manga industry, known for her shōjo manga and for creating the popular Licca-chan doll. Their shared profession created a unique bond, and they often supported each other's work. Following their marriage, they moved to Nerima Ward in Tokyo, where Matsumoto continued to live until his passing. In 2015, they held a joint exhibition titled "Leiji Matsumoto x Miyako Maki Couple Collaboration Exhibition," showcasing their shared artistic journey.

5.1. Health Issues and Passing

On November 15, 2019, while attending an event in Turin, Italy, for the 40th-anniversary tour celebrating the Captain Harlock anime adaptation, Matsumoto suffered severe respiratory problems and collapsed. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and required a breathing tube upon admission to the emergency unit. However, his condition stabilized, and he was reported to be out of danger two days later. He was discharged on December 4 and returned to Japan on December 5, stating he was feeling well despite being in a wheelchair.

Leiji Matsumoto died of acute heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo on February 13, 2023, at the age of 85. His death was officially announced by Toei on February 20. The news prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the manga and anime industry, including fellow manga artists like Yasuhiro Nightow and Nozomu Tamaki, as well as his wife, Miyako Maki. Masako Nozawa, the voice actress for Tetsuro Hoshino in Galaxy Express 999, and translator Zack Davisson also expressed their sorrow. On June 2, 2023, it was announced by his company, Reijisha, that Matsumoto was posthumously conferred the Junior Sixth Rank by the Japanese government in recognition of his lifetime achievements. A farewell ceremony was held for him at the Tokyo International Forum on June 3, attended by many fans and industry figures. The cover of Big Comic magazine's 14th issue, released on July 10, featured a memorial illustration of Matsumoto.

6.1. Awards and Honors

Throughout his illustrious career, Leiji Matsumoto received numerous awards and honors recognizing his significant contributions to the arts and popular culture:

• 1954: First Long Manga Newcomer Award from Manga Shōnen.
• 1972: 3rd Kodansha Publishing Culture Award for Children's Manga, for his work Otoko Oidon.
• 1975: 6th Seiun Award in the Film and Drama/Media category, for Space Battleship Yamato.
• 1978: 23rd Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen, for Galaxy Express 999 and Senjo Manga Series.
• 1978: 7th Japan Cartoonists Association Award Special Award, for his series of science fiction works.
• 1979: 24th Film Day Special Achievement Award.
• 2001: Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government.
• 2003: 8th Animation Kobe Special Award.
• 2008: Named Honorary Citizen of Nerima Ward, Tokyo, where he resided.
• 2010: Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
• 2012: Received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight) from the French government.
• 2024: Posthumously awarded the Japan SF Grand Prize Lifetime Achievement Award.

6.2. Artistic and Cultural Influence

Matsumoto's broad impact extends across manga, anime, and the wider science fiction genre. His distinctive visual style, characterized by elongated figures, expressive eyes, and intricate mechanical designs, became instantly recognizable. His recurring "Star System" characters, such as Captain Harlock, Tochiro Oyama, and Queen Emeraldas, created an interconnected universe, the "Leijiverse," that allowed for thematic exploration across multiple narratives.

He was a passionate advocate for space exploration, a theme deeply embedded in his works. His enthusiasm for space influenced real-life figures, including astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, who cited Matsumoto's works as an inspiration for her career. Matsumoto himself was an avid collector of historical artifacts, including antique firearms and rare manga, which often informed the detailed realism in his mechanical drawings. He was known for meticulously studying blueprints and visiting museums to ensure accuracy in his depictions of real-world vehicles and weaponry.

His works often explored profound philosophical questions about life, death, and humanity's place in the universe, resonating deeply with audiences. The "Reiji Meter" design, with its distinctive circular gauges and multiple pointers, became an iconic visual motif in Japanese science fiction, influencing numerous other works in the 1970s and early 1980s. Matsumoto also had a deep appreciation for classical music, particularly the operas of Richard Wagner, whose dramatic structures and recurring motifs subtly influenced the narrative arcs and character dynamics in his own stories.

6.3. Copyright Stance and Disputes

Leiji Matsumoto was a strong proponent of copyright protection, holding positions such as the head of the copyright department for the Japan Cartoonists Association and a director for the Association of Copyright for Computer Software. He famously expressed a desire to protect his works "until his grandson's era." He was particularly sensitive to the unauthorized use of phrases he considered "creative neologisms" and insisted that his works, especially those dealing with war, be treated with respect for the sentiments of victims and ethnic groups. For instance, in 2002, he temporarily halted production of the anime SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HERLOCK because the enemy designs incorporated the Star of David, which he felt was insensitive to Jewish sensibilities.

While generally strict about unauthorized commercial use, Matsumoto was notably lenient regarding parodies or respectful homages by other artists, provided he found them "funny." However, if he deemed a parody unfunny or disrespectful, he would be very critical, sometimes summoning the artists or editors involved for a stern lecture. He also claimed that his works, particularly Space Pirate Captain Harlock, influenced the early concepts for Star Wars, citing similarities in character designs like Princess Leia and Yuki Kei.

7.1. Manga

• Mitsubachi no Bōken (The Adventures of a Honeybee) (1954)
• Gin no Tani no Maria (Maria of the Silver Valley) (1958)
• Ōgon no Kishi (Golden Knight) (1959)
• Laramie Ranch (1960-1962)
• Denkō Ozuma (Lightning Ozma) (1961-1962)
• Moero Minami Jūjisei (Burn, Southern Cross) (1963)
• Black 0 (1964)
• Ninpō Jūban Shōbu Sanban Shōbu (Ninja Arts Ten Matches, Third Match) (1964)
• Watashi no El (My El) (1964) (Co-authored with Miyako Maki)
• Submarine Super 99 (1964-1965)
• Dynamo 7 (1966)
• Kokoro yo Umi o Yuke (Heart, Go to the Sea) (1967) (Co-authored with Miyako Maki)
• Sexaroid (1968-1970)
• Dōbutsu Series (Animal Series) (1968-1969)
• Kousoku Esper (High-Speed Esper) (1968-1969, 1969-1970)
• Hyōryū Sanzenman Kōnen (Drifting 30 Million Light Years) (1969)
• Shijigen Sekai Series (Four-Dimensional World Series) (1969)
• Machinner Series (1969-1970)
• Mugen Sekai Series (Infinite World Series) (1970)
• Dai Yojohan Series (Great Four-and-a-Half Tatami Mat Series) (1970-1974)
• Sei Sarumata Den (Holy Sarumata Legend) (1970)
• Mystery Eve (1970-1971)
• Panic World (1971)
• Otoko Oidon (I'm a Man) (1971-1973)
• Sei Bonjinden (The Legend of the Holy Common Man) (1971-1973)
• Shishunki Hyakuman-nen (Puberty 1 Million Years) (1972-1973)
• Dai Furin Den (Great Adultery Legend) (1972)
• Hihon Eshi Mugei (Secret Book Painter Mugei) (1972)
• Gun Frontier (1972-1974)
• Hiruandon (Paper Lantern) (1973)
• Wadachi (Ruts) (1973-1974)
• Demodori Shain Den (The Legend of the Returned Employee) (1974)
• Hotaru no Yado Series (Firefly Inn Series) (1974)
• Space Battleship Yamato (1974-1975)
• Insect (1975)
• Kaerazaru Toki no Monogatari (Story of the Irretrievable Time) (1975-1976)
• Senjo Manga Series (War Manga Series) (1975-present, irregular)
• Diver 0 (1975-1976)
• Torajima no Mii-me (Tiger-Striped Meeme) (1975-1977)
• Pet Father (1975-1976)
• Oyashirazu Sanka (Song of Oyashirazu) (1976-1977)
• Kyōryū-sō Monogatari (Dinosaur Apartment Story) (1976-1977)
• Miraizer Ban (Time Travel Boy Miraizer Ban) (1976-1978)
• Chiisana Maki (Little Maki) (1977)
• Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1977-1979)
• Galaxy Express 999 (1977-1981)
• Dai Junjō-kun (Great Pure Heart Boy) (1977)
• Planet Robot Danguard Ace (1977-1978)
• Dai Sōgen no Chiisana Yojōhan (Little Four-and-a-Half Tatami Mat in the Great Prairie) (1977-1978)
• Konchū Kōtei (Insect Emperor) (1978-1979)
• Majo Tenshi (Witch Angel) (1978-1979)
• Queen Emeraldas (1978-1979)
• Mugen Kai Hyōryū-ki (Drifting Record of the Infinite Sea) (1978-1985, irregular)
• Hyōryū Sanzenman Kōnen (Drifting 30 Million Light Years) (1978-1979, unfinished)
• Steteccondor (1979-1980)
• Shin Taketori Monogatari 1000-nen Joō (The New Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: Queen Millennia) (1980-1983)
• Nazca (1980-1981)
• Jūdan Dō Series (Heavy Ballistic Series) (1981-1983)
• Shinkirō Ferry Islander 0 (Mirage Ferry Islander 0) (1982)
• Hakushaku Densetsu (Count Legend) (1984-1985)
• HARD METAL Series (1984-1990)
• Dontra (1985)
• Cosmo Road Alpha: Nemureru Uchū no Ōjo (Cosmo Road Alpha: The Sleeping Princess of Space) (1986-1991)
• Guskō Budori no Denki (The Life of Gusko Budori) (1986)
• V2 Panzer (1987-1988)
• Mu no Kurofune Crisis III (The Black Ship of Nothingness Crisis III) (1988-1989)
• Shinkirō Kitan (Mirage Strange Tale) (1990-1991)
• Nibelung no Yubiwa (The Ring of the Nibelung) (1990-present)
• Yume Ō no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Dream King) (1991)
• Case Hard Series (1993-1996)
• Tenshi no Jikūsen (Angel's Spacetime Ship) (1993-1997)
• Fire Force DNAsights 999.9 (1994-1997)
• Cockpit Legend (1997-1999, irregular)
• Jijo Eiyū Den (Heroine Legend) (1998-2000)
• Chōjiku Senkan Mahoroba (Super Spacetime Battleship Mahoroba) (1998)
• Out of Galaxy Gin no Koshika (2009)
• Captain Harlock: Dimensional Voyage (2014)
• Gun Frontier ~Harlock & Tochirō Seishun no Tabi~ (2016-2017)
• Galaxy Express 999 ANOTHER STORY Ultimate Journey (2018-present)

7.2. Animated Works

Matsumoto's influence on anime is immense, with many of his manga adapted and original concepts brought to life on screen.

7.3. Other Contributions

Beyond his primary work in manga and anime, Matsumoto engaged in various other creative and influential projects.

• Book Illustrations:** He provided cover illustrations and internal artwork for the Japanese edition of C.L. Moore's Northwest Smith series, including the iconic character Shambleau (1971). He also drew a Godzilla illustration for the 1980 revival of Mothra vs. Godzilla.
• Public Transportation Design:** Matsumoto designed the futuristic "Himiko," "Hotaruna," and "Emeraldas" water buses for Tokyo Cruise Ship, which began operations in 2004, 2012, and 2018, respectively. He also designed "Ninja Trains" for the Iga Railway (1997, 2003) and special wrapping trains for Seibu Railway's Seibu Ikebukuro Line (2009-2014) and the Kitakyushu Monorail (2010-2016, and a new design in 2017).
• Public Art & City Promotion:** In 1999, 28 bronze statues of characters from Galaxy Express 999 and Space Battleship Yamato were erected in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, with each plaque bearing his signature. He designed the official poster for the Kitakyushu Expo 2001 and the "Space Knight" mascot for the Kokura Velodrome. His characters also appeared on official documents and license plates in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, and at the Ōizumi Anime Gate, which features life-size bronze statues of Maetel and Tetsuro.
• Museum & Cultural Design:** He designed the mascot characters "Bearl" and "Merrow" for the Osaka Prefectural Large Children's Center Big Bang, and "Angelna" and "Meenyan" for the Koriyama Fureai Science Center. He also designed one of the commemorative stamps for the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Japan in 2002.
• Music & Media Collaborations:** He supervised the production of music videos for Daft Punk's album Discovery, which were compiled into the animated film Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003). He also contributed the jacket illustration for NaotoHiroki&karatesystems' album Travel Sounds (2013).
• Books and Essays:** Matsumoto authored several books, including Reiji no Mechazone (1979), an illustration collection focused on mechanics, and Tōku Toki no Wa no Sessuru Tokoro (Where the Wheels of Time Meet Afar) (2002), his autobiography. He also published Manga Dai Hakubutsukan (The Great Manga Museum) (2004), a visual encyclopedia of old manga.
• Other Projects:** He was a co-host for the radio program "Radio Manga-kan" (1980) and provided supervision and character designs for the anime short The Miracle of Hayabusa (2011). He designed the symbol character for the Takinogawa Baba Shopping Street in Kita Ward, Tokyo.

8.1. Academic and Institutional Positions

Matsumoto dedicated a portion of his career to education and cultural preservation, holding several academic and honorary institutional roles:

• Professor at Takarazuka University:** He served as a professor in the Media and Content Department from 2005 to 2021, later becoming a specially appointed professor.
• Visiting Professor at Kyoto Sangyo University:** He held positions as a visiting faculty member and visiting professor at the Center for General Education.
• Specially Appointed Professor at Digital Hollywood University.**
• Honorary Director of Museums:**
  • Kakamigahara Aerospace Science Museum (Gifu Prefecture): Served as honorary director from 1996 to March 2021, donating airplane parts from his collection.
  • Osaka Prefectural Large Children's Center Big Bang (now Sakai City Big Bang): Served as director from 1999 to 2010, then as honorary director until June 2021.
  • Koriyama Fureai Science Center (Fukushima Prefecture): Served as honorary director from October 2001 to June 2021.
  • Discovery Park Yaizu Astronomical Science Museum (Shizuoka Prefecture): Served as honorary director from April 1997 to June 2021.
  • Kure Maritime Museum (Yamato Museum) (Hiroshima Prefecture): Served as honorary director from 2005 to June 2021.
  • Kyushu Railway Memorial Museum (Kitakyushu City): Served as honorary director from 2003 to June 2021.
  • Kitakyushu Manga Museum (Kitakyushu City): Served as honorary director from August 2012 to June 2021.
  • Matsumoto resigned from most of these honorary museum positions by June 2021, citing his personal intentions.

8.2. Industry and Social Roles

Matsumoto was actively involved in various professional and social organizations, advocating for the arts and intellectual property rights:

• Japan Cartoonists Association:** Served as a managing director from May 2000 until around June 2018, and was the head of its copyright department.
• Association of Copyright for Computer Software (ACCS):** Served as a non-executive director from April 2003 until March 2011 or 2012.
• Tsukuba Science Expo Memorial Foundation:** Served as a councilor from April 2002 to May 2021.
• Japan Youth Aerospace Group:** Served as chairman from September 1994 to June 2021.
• Space Activities Commission:** Served as an expert member.
• Central Youth Organizations Liaison Council:** Served as chairman.
• Nerima City Honorary Citizen:** Appointed in 2008, he actively participated in promoting Nerima as an "anime town," with his characters appearing on local documents and public spaces.
• Computer Koshien (National High School Computer Contest):** Served as the head of the judging committee for this contest, organized by Fukushima Prefecture and others, starting in 2003.
• Ehime Tourism Ambassador:** Appointed as "Iyokan Ambassador" for Ehime Prefecture in February 2003.
• Fukushima Prefecture Ambassador:** Appointed as "Shakunage Ambassador" for Fukushima Prefecture in June 2004, and later involved in the "Suiren" and "Koharu" water environment preservation campaign for Lake Inawashiro and Ura-Bandai in 2010.