Kazuo Koike

was a Japanese manga writer and businessman. He was best known for his series "Lone Wolf and Cub" (1970–1976) and "Lady Snowblood" (1972–1973). He was added to the Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2004. He was born in Daisen, Akita Prefecture.
Koike died of pneumonia on 17 April 2019, at the age of 82. He died less than a week after his rival Monkey Punch, also caused by pneumonia.