We’ve learned (via Eurogamer) some regretful news today: Akira Tago, the puzzle designer behind the much beloved Professor Layton series has passed away.

He passed away on March 6th due to interstitial pneumonia. He was 90 years old.

Before he designed the puzzles for the Professor Layton games, he published a series of puzzle books titled Atama no Taiso, with the first issue being published back in 1966.

It has reached 23 volumes as of 2001, accumulating 12 million copies sold between the main series and its offshoots.

Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.