After learning of Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi's tragic passing in July, new details have come to light which have hailed him as a "hero," who "died trying to save someone else".

Takahashi's death came as a shock to the gaming world and manga communities earlier this year - given that he was known to be a healthy man in his early sixties.

Early reports confirmed that the Yu-Gi-Ho! creator sadly drowned in Okinawa, Japan. Now though, the US Department of Defence has detailed that Takahashi was in the water trying to rescue three civilians from a riptide. While the three struggling swimmers were brought to safety, Takahashi died as a hero.

Kazuki Takahashi Died Trying To Save Drowning Swimmers

According to a report on the United States Department of Defence's Stars & Stripes news outlet, one U.S. Army officer was recognised for saving the lives of three civilians at the Okinawa diving destination. Despite Major Robert Bourgea being able to save the three drowning people, he didn't know Takahashi also assisted and lost his life to the riptide.

Bourgeau explained that he and two of his scuba diving students saw three people struggling in a riptide caused by a rip current and six-foot waves causing a whirlpool effect. However, bystanders also saw the Yu-Gi-Ho! creator try to assist in the rescue, but he never resurfaced and was found two days later.

"You play that 'what if' game a lot," Bourgeau told Stripes & Stars. "This guy had a huge impact on the world."

"That was one the hardest things I have ever had to do, I let [the man] go so I could save myself," he added, explaining that it was only after he got out of the water that he was told the Japanese man had also gone in, spotted by his students.

Department of Defence Hail Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator Kazuki Takahashi "A Hero"

After learning of Takahashi's death, the U.S. Army Officer has branded the Yu-Gi-Ho! creator as "a hero," adding, "He died trying to save someone else." The Officer was nominated for the Soldier’s Medal for his actions during the rescue at Mermaid’s Grotto in Onna, which is a reward that recognises acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.

Takahashi passed away on July 4 at the age of 60, and will be remembered not only for his legacy in gaming and manga, but as a hero who put the health of others before his own.