Beloved Cat Azuki, Muse Behind Popular Japanese Character, Passes Away
Japanese illustrator Nobeko pays heartfelt tribute to Azuki, the street cat who changed her life and inspired a beloved character across books, toys, and animation.
Azuki, the beloved cat who inspired a globally popular Japanese character, has passed away on September 9, her owner confirmed in a touching tribute on social media.
The street cat first met Japanese manga artist and illustrator Nobeko on a rainy day in October 2013, changing the course of her life forever. While Azuki's actual age is unknown, Nobeko celebrated her “gotcha day” on October 21 each year—marking it as Azuki’s symbolic birthday. This year would have been her 12th.
“We sent Azuki-san off to the sky,” wrote Nobeko in an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter). “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 began chemotherapy, but her condition deteriorated quickly. Despite treatment efforts, she died peacefully in September.
“I became a manga artist, drew illustrations for many incredible works, attended a signing event in China, and connected with people around the world — all of this was thanks to Azuki-san,” Nobeko said.
“The hardest part is that I can no longer nuzzle her soft, fluffy cheeks.”
The character Azuki-san, modeled after the real-life cat, has appeared in a wide range of media—from books and animation to toys—and earned a loyal fanbase.
Also on September 9, another icon passed: Haru Urara, a 29-year-old retired Japanese racehorse, who recently enjoyed a revival in fame through a mobile game, also died the same day.
Both Azuki and Haru Urara leave behind not just memories, but enduring legacies in Japanese pop culture and beyond.
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