Kazuo Umezu

Kazuo Umezu (楳図かずお / UMEZU Kazuo), aka Kazuo Umezz, is a Japanese manga creator, celebrity, and songwriter. He was born on September 3, 1936 in 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”.