A true legend!

The Yu-Gi-Oh! manga author Kazuki Takahashi was killed on Tuesday while attempting to help a U.S. Army officer save three persons who were stuck in a riptide at Mermaid's Grotto in Onna, Okinawa, according to the U.S. military journal Stars and Stripes.

On July 4, a diving instructor for the U.S. Army Major Robert Bourgeau attempted to rescue a woman, a daughter, and a soldier who were all caught in a rip current about 100 meters from land. Takahashi attempted to help Bourgeau in the rescue, but Bourgeau was unaware of this.

While Bourgeau claimed to have seen Takahashi during the rescue, Takahashi was not visible to him. Takahashi was visible to Bourgeau's diving students, whom he had met just after 2:00 p.m. that day, until he vanished beneath the water.

Two days later, on July 6, the Japan Coast Guard discovered Takahashi's body with snorkeling equipment 300 meters (approximately 1,000 feet) offshore near Awa, Nago City, Okinawa.

Although the Japan Coast Guard official denied to corroborate Takahashi's involvement in the rescue effort, the Army offered many sworn witness testimonies that described Takahashi's actions that day. According to Takahashi's autopsy, there were no indications of foul play, and he drowned to death.

The US Army honored Bourgeau for rescuing the three victims. He was put forward by his command in September for the Soldier's Medal, which honors bravery in situations other than direct combat with an enemy. Takahashi, according to Bourgeau, is a hero who "died trying to save someone else."

From 1996 through 2004, Takahashi's Yu-Gi-Oh! manga appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump. An international phenomenon was started by the manga, and it is still going strong today with additional manga series, anime, card games, and toys. In July 2015, Takahashi took home the Inkpot Award from Comic-Con International. The honor is given to people who have made remarkable contributions to fandom, science fiction and fantasy, film, television, and animation.