Monkey Punch (Katou Kazuhiko), the author of Lupin III, has passed away at the age of 81.

Best known for creating the legendary gentleman thief character Arsène Lupin, Katou was born in Hamanaka, Hokkaido in 1937. In 1967, Lupin III began serialization in Weekly Manga Action and went on to receive numerous adaptations, including TV anime, animated movies, games, and musicals.

According to TMS Entertainment, which produces the Lupin III anime, Monkey Punch passed away due to pneumonia at 7:26 pm on Apr. 11. In accordance with the author’s wishes, there will be a private funeral followed by a public memorial service at a later date.