Writer Kyoichi Nanatsuki (Project ARMS, Genma Taisen Rebirth) reported on Sunday that he received word of the passing of his collaborator Kazumasa Hirai. Nanatsuki added that he was at a loss for words.
Hirai was both an acclaimed science-fiction novelist and the story creator of several manga. His Genma Taisen manga spawned the anime film Genma Taisen (Harmagedon), the Genma Taisen (Genma Wars) television anime series, several manga and novel titles, and most recently, the Genma Taisen Rebirth manga. Nanatsuki and artist Masato Hirase just launched Genma Taisen Rebirth in August.