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Manga Creator Leiji Matsumoto Discharged From Hospital

The website for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported on Wednesday that manga creator Leiji Matsumoto was discharged from a hospital in Turin, Italy on Wednesday morning after being hospitalized on November 15. According to the hospital, Matsumoto is recovering well and returning to Japan on the same day.

Matsumoto had received emergency treatment including endotracheal intubation, but he was moved to the recovery ward on November 20. Matsumoto expressed his gratitude to the doctors upon his discharge.

Matsumoto was hospitalized in Turin, Italy on November 15 after collapsing, but his condition eventually stabilized the following day. The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported that it was suspected that he had a stroke at the time of his collapse and that he was in serious condition. The Kyodo News agency then reported Matsumoto had undergone a head examination at the hospital, but the examination did not detect any serious symptoms.

Matsumoto was in Turin to attend a series of events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Captain Harlock anime's debut on Italian television. According to the Leiji Matsumoto Cultural Association, Matsumoto was scheduled for an autograph signing at the Cinema Massimo on November 15, but was only able to sign a few autographs before retiring to his hotel room and undergoing medical supervision.

Matsumoto canceled his appearance at the Kita-Q International Manga Fest event in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka on November 30 for health reasons.

Source: Asahi Shimbun (河原田慎一) via Zack Davisson