Funazaki was born to a wealthy family in Tokyo. After graduating from Gakushuin University in 1968, he worked as a songwriter, screenwriter, and illustrator while working in a real estate company. In 1969, while he had leave of absence, he and Yasuko Funazaki, his wife, started to write a nonsense tale, Tonkachi to Hanashōgun. In 1971, he resigned from the company and made his debut as a novelist. In 1973, he wrote Poppen Sensei no Nichiyōbi. The next year, the second novel of this series, Poppen Sensei to Kaerazu no Numa won Akaitori Bungaku Shō. His autobiographicalAme no Dōbutsuen won Sankei Jidō Shuppan Bunka Shō in 1975, and was selected as "Honor List" of Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1976 respectively. In 1976, Anoko ga Mieru was nominated for the Graphic Award at the Bologna International Book Fair. In 1983, Q wa sekaiichi won Sankei Jidō Shuppan Bunka Shō. In 1984, Hakamadare won Ehon Nippon Shō. In 1986, Kazehiki Tamago won Sankei Jidō Shuppan Bunka Shō. In 1989, Poppen Sensei series won Robō no Ishi Bungakushō. Funazaki died on October 15, 2015 at the age of 70 in Mitaka, Tokyo.
Around 1996, Funazaki was informed by a reader that Detective Conan, had similarities to Picasso-kun no tantei note. Funazaki checked Detective Conan and "verified close resemblances." Funazaki considered "these resemble points has possibility of coincidence," so he contacted Shogakukan. Funazaki was told, "The creator might not have read Picasso-kun no tantei note. But I can't deny the possibility that one of his staff members was amused at the situation of Picasso-kun no tantei note and suggested as an idea." Later, he wrote about this inquiry process in the quarterly magazine Parolu, where he declared, "There is no responsibility," "I'll fall into evil way ". Funazaki was offended at the response, and he published the third book as a protest against Aoyama. -->
Professor Poppen Series
1973 Poppen Sensei no Nichiyōbi Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1974 Poppen Sensei to Kaerazu no Numa Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1976 Poppen Sensei to Waraukamomegō Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1977 Poppen Sensei to Doro no Ōji Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1979 Poppen Sensei no Dōbutsu Jiten Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1983 Poppen Sensei Jigoku he Yōkoso Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1988 Poppen Sensei to Hoshi no Joō Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1991 Poppen Sensei to Hoshi no Hakobune Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
1994 Poppen Sensei no Christmas Chikuma Shobo, Tokyo,
Picasso-kun Series
Picasso-kun is a fictional character in a series of Japanese children's booksPicasso-kun no tantei note created by Funazaki. He himself illustrated these books. Picasso's real name is Mitsumoto Sugimoto. He is a sixth grader at Sakuramachi Elementary School and looks like an ordinary schoolboy, but his actual age is 23. Ten years prior, he was severely wounded while he was playing baseball; he then physically stopped growing, so he appears to be an ordinary kid but is mentally older. After his injury his father, a diplomat, took him to England. While being raised there, he became a Sherlock Holmes admirer. After returning to Japan, he came back to the elementary school, and established a detective office. He wears glasses, long boots, a suit and a tie. His circumstances are well known by society. So he is allowed to drink alcoholic drinks and smoke a cigar. And he has a driver's license.
