Super Mario Manga Creator Kazuki Motoyama Passes Away at 69: Legacy on Nintendo Culture

Kazuki Motoyama, the Japanese artist and manga writer renowned for his seminal work on Kodansha’s Super Mario manga series, has died at the age of 69.

The news of Motoyama’s passing was confirmed by his sister, Lisa Motoyama, through her Instagram account, where she expressed gratitude to those who supported her brother throughout his life.

Motoyama’s legacy is deeply intertwined with Nintendo’s global phenomenon, Super Mario.

While the beloved mustachioed plumber Mario captured countless imaginations through video games on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, Motoyama's unique vision meant fans could engage with these characters in a new medium: manga.

His Super Mario series ran in Kodansha’s Comic BomBom from 1988 to 1998, bridging the gap between iconic Nintendo releases including Super Mario Bros.

3 and Super Mario 64.

The series not only spotlighted classic games but also shaped how Nintendo’s IP was perceived in manga culture, expanding Mario’s reach far beyond gaming consoles and the Nintendo eShop. Motoyama’s storytelling was distinguished by an expressive art style, dynamic humor, and clever self-referential gags.

He frequently inserted himself into the narrative as the overworked mangaka 'Mototin,' and wasn’t afraid to push boundaries with slapstick nudity and mature jokes—even in officially licensed Nintendo works.

Such elements, surprising to contemporary audiences, became a cornerstone of his comedic approach and attracted an international fandom curious about Nintendo’s broader creative universe. After concluding his original Super Mario run, Motoyama continued to build on his legacy with the 2019 launch of Kinoppe-chan Forever, a spin-off manga serialized independently that introduced the whimsical toad girl Kinoppe—an original character who resonated with new and returning readers alike. Before his celebrated tenure at Kodansha, Motoyama began his manga journey in 1977 with Love & Mini, published in the shōjo magazine Deluxe Margaret.

He expanded his portfolio two years later with Kimattenai No Nikimemaru-kun for Weekly Shōnen Jump, eventually contributing to that magazine regularly and producing several historical books in the mid-1980s, driven by a passion for Japanese history. While Lisa Motoyama did not disclose the cause of death, she extended heartfelt thanks to those who cared for her brother during his lifetime.

Tributes have begun pouring in from Nintendo and manga communities worldwide, underscoring Motoyama’s lasting impact on both media.

Fans and industry watchers alike remember him as a creative force who reimagined Mario for millions beyond Nintendo Switch screens and eShop storefronts, securing his place in the annals of gaming and manga history.

Nintendo Mario Super Mario Kodansha Kazuki Motoyama Comic BomBom Super Mario Bros Super Mario 64 Kinoppe-chan Forever Deluxe Margaret Weekly Shōnen Jump Love & Mini Kimattenai No Nikimemaru-kun Lisa Motoyama