Koji Suzuki, Author of 'The Ring', Dies at 68
Theo Kyodo News
Japanese novelist Koji Suzuki, best known for his horror series "Ring" (Vòng tròn tử thần), died of illness at a Tokyo hospital on Friday at age 68. His 1991 novel "Ring" about a deadly videotape became a global phenomenon, spawning Japanese and Hollywood film adaptations.
Suzuki's publisher confirmed that the Japanese author, most famous for his Ring horror series, died of illness at a Tokyo hospital on May 2, 2026, at age 68.
Born in 1958 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Suzuki began his writing career in the late 1980s. However, it was his 1991 novel Ring that catapulted him to fame. The story—about a deadly videotape that kills anyone who watches it within seven days—became a pop culture phenomenon.
The Ring series includes three parts: Ring (1991), Spiral (1995), and Loop (1998). The narrative not only achieved massive success in Japanese literature but was also adapted into a classic Japanese film series directed by Hideo Nakata, released in 1998. The film was later remade by Hollywood as The Ring (2002), sparking a wave of Asian horror reaching global audiences.
Suzuki was hailed as a master of the supernatural, often blending traditional horror with science-fiction elements. He also wrote many other works, including Dark Water and From the Black, which were also adapted into films.
Koji Suzuki's passing has left deep sorrow among readers and the film industry. His books and film adaptations continue to be cherished across generations.
