The creative mind responsible for creating the acclaimed and popular "Yu-Gi-Oh!" manga series, Kazuki Takahashi, has been found dead due to an apparent snorkeling trip incident off the coast of Japan's Okinawa, a coast guard official said Thursday.

He was wearing a T-shirt, an underwater mask, a snorkel, and fins, the Nago official told AFP.

"We are investigating the case as both a possible accident or crime," he said.

The local authorities said Takahashi had sustained injuries to his abdomen and lower parts of the body, which were apparently made by bites from a shark or other sea creatures.

Takahashi was found around 300m offshore and pulled from the water, Japanese media reported, marking a tragic end for the author who entertained millions of people around the world.

"Yu-Gi-Oh!" ran in the Japanese weekly comic magazine Shonen Jump between 1996 and 2004, telling the story of Yugi, a teenager who receives an ancient puzzle that awakens in him the alter ego of an Egyptian pharaoh.

The mystical story garnered widespread attention worldwide, as the manga gave rise to a media franchise including one of the biggest trading card games, as well as an anime series and films.

The story was later published as a series of 38 tankobons (manga volumes) by Japanese publishing powerhouse Shueisha, which did not issue an immediate statement on the author's death.

Takahashi wrote under a pen name, and his real first name was Kazuo.

His creation, Yu-Gi-Oh!, was recognized in 2011 by the Guinness World Records as the world's best-selling trading card game after it sold more than 25.17 billion sets around the world.

Kazuki Takahashi brought joy to millions of individuals through his passionate dedication. He accomplished what every artist dreamed; creating art that withstands the test of time. His name will be echoed throughout the annals of history for his influential contributions.

R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/wt5lr0Bbrn

— Alex Cimo (@Cimoooooooo) July 7, 2022