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April Clare Welsh
21 February 2023, 12:22

Leiji Matsumoto, artist behind Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’ and ‘Digital Love’ videos, dies, aged 85

Matsumoto's anime series Space Pirate Captain Harlock is among Daft Punk's biggest childhood influences

Leiji Matsumoto

Leiji Matsumoto, the manga artist behind Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time,' ‘Digital Love’ and 'Harder, Better, Faster Stronger' videos, has died aged 85.

Matsumoto passed away after suffering acute heart failure on 13th February, his studio, Studio Leijisha, confirmed in a statement.

Born in 1938 in the Japanese city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Matsumoto kicked off his manga career aged just 15 and was best known for Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldas, Space Battleship Yamato, and Space Pirate Captain Harlock, which was turned into an anime television series and has been cited as one of Daft Punk's biggest childhood influences.

Matsumoto went on to work with the French duo, alongside co-writer Cédric Hervet and director Kazuhisa Takenouchi, on the 2003 animated film Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem, which provided visuals for Daft Punk's acclaimed second album, 'Discovery'. The videos for 'One More Time,' 'Digital Love', and 'Harder, Better, Faster Stronger' were created using scenes from the film.

Leiji Matsumoto's eldest daughter Makiko Matsumoto, said: "Manga artist Leiji Matsumoto set out on a journey to the sea of ​​stars. I think he lived a happy life, thinking about continuing to draw stories as a manga artist. So we can meet again.”

Remind yourself of the 'One More Time', 'Digital Love' and 'Harder, Better, Faster Stronger' videos below.

Image via Twitter