Considered a major figure in the history of manga,[1][2] many of his early titles are still in print due to continued popularity.

At the end of the Sino-Japanese War, Chiba's family lived in the attic of a work-acquaintance of his father until they could find a way to get back to Japan.

[6] In July 2012 he was appointed as the chairman of the Japan Cartoonists Association after Takashi Yanase stepped down due to age and health reasons.

[7] In Fall 2012 he was awarded with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by the Japanese government.

[9] In 2015, he left retirement in order to work on the series Hinemosu no Tari Nikki for Big Comic magazine.

[13] In 2022, he became the first manga artist ever to be nominated as a member to the Japan Art Academy (alongside Yoshiharu Tsuge).