Feline that inspired cartoon cat Azuki-san dies

Azuki, a Japanese cat that inspired her owner to create a popular character named after her, died on Sept 9.

It is not known how old Azuki was, having first met her owner, a Japanese manga artist and illustrator known as Nobeko, on the street on Oct 21, 2013.

However, Nobeko celebrated Azuki’s “birthday” on the date itself, also known to pet owners as a “gotcha day”. She would have celebrated her 12th birthday in October.

“We sent Azuki-san off to the sky,” said Nobeko, thanking all of Azuki’s followers and fans in a post on social media platform X on Sept 9. “I wanted to go with her, but since there was no good way to do so, I sent a stuffed toy version of myself to accompany her.”

Earlier in 2025, Azuki was diagnosed with lymphoma and had been undergoing chemotherapy, but her condition worsened rapidly, said Nobeko.

“I became a manga artist, was able to draw illustrations for so many wonderful works, went to a signing event in China and connected with so many people – all of this was thanks to Azuki-san,” she added.

“The person I am today is because Azuki-san came to me on that rainy day 12 years ago. I can never thank her enough. But more than all of that, the hardest thing is that I can no longer nuzzle her soft, fluffy cheeks,” said Nobeko.

The Azuki-san character has been featured across a variety of media including books, animation and toys.

Also on Sept 9, retired Japanese racehorse Haru Urara, who saw an unexpected surge in popularity in recent months after the global launch of a mobile game,

died at the age of 29

.