Kazuki Takahashi Died Trying to Rescue Three People from a Rip Current

October 11, 2022 at 12:00 pm | Posted in Other Stuff, Yu-Gi-Oh! | 6 Comments

Mermaid’s Grotto

Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi died a hero.

New information about the death of Kazuki Takahashi in July has come to light from an American serviceman stationed on Okinawa Island in southern Japan.

Maj. Robert Bourgeau, a scuba diving instructor in the U.S. Army, recounted a harrowing ordeal involving Takahashi in a story published today in Stars and Stripes, an American military newspaper.

On July 4, Bourgeau, with the help of two of his students, rescued three people who were pulled out to sea by a powerful rip current at Mermaid’s Grotto in the village of Onna, Okinawa. Known as Apogama to locals, Mermaid’s Grotto is a cave-filled beach that is a very popular — but dangerous — locale for diving and snorkeling. A sign written in Japanese and English posted at the beach warns of the hazardous water conditions and discourages visitors from entering.

Bourgeau, who jumped in the water to rescue the three people, called the conditions of that day “really, really rough.” As the rip currents pulled the trio out, incoming six-foot waves pelted them and ended up “creating a whirlpool effect” that trapped them about 100 yards from shore, described Bourgeau.

Unbeknownst to Bourgeau at the time, Kazuki Takahashi was in the area and had, at some point during the rescue operation, entered the water to attempt to provide assistance. While Bourgeau himself did not see Takahashi, his students “caught glimpses of [Takahashi] until he disappeared beneath the waves.” Several sworn witness statements provided by the Army to Stars and Stripes further supported Takahashi’s involvement in the rescue.

Bourgeau, who himself nearly perished, successfully rescued the three individuals. He was nominated by his command last month for the Soldier’s Medal, which recognizes “heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.”

Takahashi’s body was found two days later, on July 6, in the waters of Nago, Okinawa, about eight miles northeast of Onna Village. His rental car was found on July 7 on a farm road at Mermaid’s Grotto.

The Japan Coast Guard would not confirm Takahashi’s involvement in the rescue to Stars and Stripes. However, the newspaper’s account of the ordeal concurs with the Coast Guard’s July 11 ruling that Takahashi died from drowning not involving foul play.

“He’s a hero,” Bourgeau said of Takahashi. “He died trying to save someone else.”

“This guy had a huge impact on the world,” Bourgeau added.

(News from Stars and Stripes. Photo by Onna Village: coco-ico onna.)