Kazuo Maekawa

Maekawa Kazuo (September 5, 1937 - January 13, 1993) was a picture book writer and mangaka from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He is best known for providing the illustrations for Nasu Masamoto's famous Zukkoke Sannin-gumi novel series, which was also adapted into a television anime series. In 1966 he received the 11th Shogakukan Award for his manga Paki-chan to Ganta. Maekawa studied at the Osaka City Kogei High School but left before graduation and started working in a print company. At the age of 17 he made his debut as Kashihon Mangaka. He died January 13, 1993 at the age of 55 from suffering of acute leukemia. (Source: AniDB)