Kazuo Umezu

Kazuo Umezu is a renowned Japanese manga artist known for his contributions to the horror genre. Born in 1936, he gained fame for his distinctive, graphic style and unsettling storytelling. His works often explore themes of fear, existential crises, and the grotesque. Umezu's most notable series include "The Drifting Classroom," which depicts a group of students trapped in a bizarre, post-apocalyptic world, and "Kozu-Kozu," featuring horror elements intertwined with unique characters. His influence extends beyond manga, impacting various aspects of Japanese pop culture, and he is celebrated for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.