水木茂（水木しげる/Mizuki Shigeru）是一位著名的日本漫畫家，以其獨特的風格和豐富的創意而聞名。他的作品主要涉及恐怖、超自然和妖怪等主題，深受讀者喜愛。

於1922年3月8日出生在日本的大阪市住吉區，童年時期，由於家中雇用老婆婆當看護的關係，聽到許多在鄉野間流傳的日本妖怪故事，這些後來成為他作品的重要元素。因參加過第二次世界大戰，水木茂在空襲中受傷，左臂遭受炸傷。但忘記自己的血型，只能透過止血方式來控制傷勢。最終，被迫切除左臂。在戰後，開始自己的漫畫生涯。

水木茂最著名的作品之一是《鬼太郎》（ゲゲゲの鬼太郎/GeGeGe no Kitaro），該系列於1960年代開始連載，多次被翻拍成電視卡通。描繪一個由妖怪組成的世界，以及主人公鬼太郎與其他妖怪的冒險故事。這部作品深受日本讀者的歡迎，被視為水木茂的代表作，並且在日本文化產生深遠的影響。除《鬼太郎》以外，他還創作許多其他作品，如《河童三平》（河童の三平/かっぱのさんぺい/Kappa no Sanpei）和《惡魔君》（悪魔くん）等。這些作品通常具有幽默、奇幻和恐怖的元素，展現水木茂豐富的想像力和創作才能。

他的作品不僅在日本受到歡迎，還在全世界各地獲得廣泛的認可和讚譽。其影響力不僅僅局限於漫畫界，還擴展到文化、藝術和娛樂領域，使他成為日本漫畫史上的重要人物之一。與當時的漫畫之神手塚治蟲齊名，被譽為日本國寶級的人物。他與妻子的奮鬥歷程還被改編成日劇，讓後人對他的人生有更清楚的了解。

2024年，為紀念已故的水木茂老師百年冥誕，日本推出電影版《鬼太郎誕生：咯咯咯之謎》(鬼太郎誕生 ゲゲゲの謎)。故事講述銀行員水木因工作的需要而來到日本政商界賀龍一族的老家哭倉村，在那裡遇到尋找妻子的鬼太郎父親，即眼球老爹。兩人意外捲入一系列離奇詭異的事件中。這部作品充滿懸疑和反戰元素，主要是根據《鬼太郎》的第六季動畫進行改編，可視為前傳作品。

Mizuki Shigeru, (水木しげる), is a renowned Japanese manga artist, famous for his unique style and rich creativity. His works mainly revolve around themes of horror, the supernatural, and yokai (Japanese monsters), which are highly beloved by readers.

Born on March 8, 1922, in the Sumiyoshi ward of Osaka, Japan, Mizuki's childhood was influenced by the stories of Japanese yokai passed down in rural areas, due to his family employing an elderly caretaker. These stories later became significant elements in his works. Having participated in World War II, Mizuki was injured during an air raid, sustaining injuries to his left arm. Forgetting his blood type, he could only control the bleeding through makeshift means, ultimately leading to the amputation of his left arm. It was after the war that he embarked on his manga career.

One of Mizuki's most famous works is "GeGeGe no Kitaro" (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎), which began serialization in the 1960s and has been adapted into multiple television anime series. It portrays a world inhabited by yokai and follows the adventures of the protagonist Kitaro and other yokai. This work is highly acclaimed by Japanese readers, regarded as Mizuki's masterpiece, and has had a profound impact on Japanese culture.

Apart from "GeGeGe no Kitaro," Mizuki created numerous other works such as "Kappa no Sanpei" (河童の三平/かっぱのさんぺい) and "Akuma-kun" (悪魔くん). These works often feature elements of humor, fantasy, and horror, showcasing Mizuki's rich imagination and creative talent.

His works are not only popular in Japan but also internationally acclaimed, extending his influence beyond the manga realm into culture, art, and entertainment, making him one of the most significant figures in Japanese manga history. He is often mentioned in the same breath as the manga legend Osamu Tezuka, hailed as a national treasure of Japan. Mizuki's life story with his wife has even been adapted into a Japanese drama, providing later generations with a clearer understanding of his life.

In 2024, to commemorate the centenary of the late Mizuki Shigeru's birth, Japan released the film "Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of Giggles" (鬼太郎誕生 ゲゲゲの謎). The story follows the banker Mizuki, who visits the ancestral village of the wealthy Hara family for work, only to encounter Kitaro's father, Eyeball Dad, searching for his wife. Together, they are unexpectedly drawn into a series of bizarre and eerie events. This work is filled with suspense and anti-war elements, primarily based on the sixth season of the "GeGeGe no Kitaro" anime and serves as a prequel.

照片:DALLE3