A mangaka (漫画家) is the Japanese term for a manga artist or author. Most mangaka both write and illustrate their own series, often working with a small team of assistants to meet tight serialization deadlines.

Mangaka Biographies — Page 3

Q: Who is the most famous mangaka of all time?

Osamu Tezuka is widely regarded as the "God of Manga" for his pioneering work in shaping modern manga and anime. For living creators, Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) holds the record for the best-selling manga series of all time.

Q: How do mangaka create manga so quickly?

Professional mangaka work with a team of assistants who help with backgrounds, inking, toning, and other tasks. The lead artist focuses on character design and storytelling while assistants handle production. Many also use digital tools to speed up the workflow.

Q: Can non-Japanese artists become mangaka?

Absolutely. While the term traditionally refers to Japanese creators, the global manga community has grown enormously. International creators publish through digital platforms like Webtoon and Tapas, and some have been picked up by Japanese publishers.

Q: How much does a professional mangaka earn?

Earnings vary widely. Serialized mangaka earn per-page fees plus royalties from volume sales. Top creators like Eiichiro Oda earn hundreds of millions per year, while debut artists may earn modest salaries. Most supplement income through merchandise, licensing, and teaching.

Showing 25–36 of 45 mangaka

Browse Mangaka

Naoko Takeuchi

Naoko Takeuchi, creator of the revolutionary Sailor Moon manga, transformed the magical girl genre and created a global cultural phenomenon. Explore her groundbreaking artistic legacy and influence on anime and manga.

Notable Works:

• Sailor Moon
• Codename: Sailor V
+ 2 more

View Naoko Takeuchi's Biography

Naoya Matsumoto

Discover Naoya Matsumoto, the visionary creator of Kaiju No. 8 and pioneering mangaka known for revolutionary creature designs and monster-action storytelling that redefined the kaiju manga genre.

Notable Works:

• Kaiju No. 8
• Neko Wappa!

View Naoya Matsumoto's Biography

Nekokurage

Nekokurage is a Japanese manga artist renowned for adapting Natsu Hyuuga's acclaimed light novel The Apothecary Diaries into a visual masterpiece. With elegant period artwork, expressive character design especially for the protagonist Maomao, and meticulous historical settings, Nekokurage has created one of the best-selling manga of the 2020s with over 14 million copies sold worldwide.

Notable Works:

• The Apothecary Diaries

View Nekokurage's Biography

Nobuhiro Watsuki

Discover Nobuhiro Watsuki, legendary creator of Rurouni Kenshin, master of historical action storytelling, swordplay choreography, and Meiji era narrative innovation in manga.

Notable Works:

• Rurouni Kenshin
• Embalming
+ 1 more

View Nobuhiro Watsuki's Biography

Nobuyuki Fukumoto

Nobuyuki Fukumoto, legendary creator of Kaiji and Akagi, revolutionized psychological manga with tension-filled gambling narratives and distinctive angular art. Discover his unique artistic legacy.

Notable Works:

• Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
• Akagi: The Genius
+ 2 more

View Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Biography

Osamu Tezuka

Discover Osamu Tezuka's revolutionary contributions to manga and anime. From Astro Boy to Black Jack, explore the legacy of manga's most influential creator.

Notable Works:

• Astro Boy
• Kimba the White Lion
+ 3 more

View Osamu Tezuka's Biography

Rumiko Takahashi

Explore Rumiko Takahashi's extraordinary 40+ year career. From Urusei Yatsura to Inuyasha, discover this legend's influential works and lasting manga industry impact.

Notable Works:

• Inuyasha
• Ranma 1/2
+ 4 more

View Rumiko Takahashi's Biography

Sui Ishida

Sui Ishida is a Japanese manga artist best known as the creator of Tokyo Ghoul, one of the most popular dark fantasy seinen manga series of the 2010s.

Notable Works:

• Tokyo Ghoul
• Tokyo Ghoul:re
+ 1 more

View Sui Ishida's Biography

Takehiko Inoue

Takehiko Inoue, legendary creator of Slam Dunk and Vagabond, revolutionized manga with hyper-realistic sports and historical narratives. Discover his artistic legacy and impact on Japanese comics.

Notable Works:

• Slam Dunk
• Vagabond
+ 2 more

View Takehiko Inoue's Biography

Takeru Hokazono

Takeru Hokazono is a promising newcomer mangaka who debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump with Kagurabachi in 2023. The series generated extraordinary social media buzz before official publication, establishing Hokazono as one of Jump's most exciting new talents. Known for sharp, clean linework, intense sword-fighting choreography, and fast-paced storytelling, Hokazono demonstrates technical excellence and narrative momentum that has captivated both critics and readers.

Notable Works:

• Kagurabachi

View Takeru Hokazono's Biography

Takeshi Obata

Explore Takeshi Obata's brilliant career as illustrator of Death Note and co-creator of Bakuman. Discover his artistic mastery and lasting influence on manga illustration.

Notable Works:

• Death Note
• Bakuman
+ 2 more

View Takeshi Obata's Biography

Tatsuki Fujimoto

Tatsuki Fujimoto is a contemporary manga artist born in 1992, renowned for creating Chainsaw Man, a revolutionary action-horror series that redefined modern manga storytelling.

Notable Works:

• Chainsaw Man
• Fire Punch
+ 2 more

View Tatsuki Fujimoto's Biography

Continue Your Journey

📚

FAQ: Mangaka Biographies

What is a mangaka?

Who is the most famous mangaka of all time?

How do mangaka create manga so quickly?

Can non-Japanese artists become mangaka?

How much does a professional mangaka earn?

Mangaka Biographies — Page 3

Browse Mangaka

Naoko Takeuchi

Naoya Matsumoto

Nekokurage

Nobuhiro Watsuki

Nobuyuki Fukumoto

Osamu Tezuka

Rumiko Takahashi

Sui Ishida

Takehiko Inoue

Takeru Hokazono

Takeshi Obata

Tatsuki Fujimoto

Continue Your Journey

Explore Manga Series

Become a Mangaka

Latest from Blog

FAQ: Mangaka Biographies