Hiromu Arakawa, born May 8, 1973, is a renowned Japanese manga artist. She has gained international acclaim for her work, most notably for the manga series Fullmetal Alchemist (2001–2010). This series not only captivated audiences in Japan but also found a fervent following abroad, leading to adaptations into two anime television series. Additionally, Arakawa is the creative mind behind Silver Spoon (2011–2019) and the manga adaptation of The Heroic Legend of Arslan novels.

Born Hiromi Arakawa, she employs the masculine version of her name, Hiromu, as a pseudonym. Arakawa's journey into manga began early, with aspirations of becoming a manga artist since childhood. Her upbringing on a dairy farm in Hokkaido instilled in her a strong work ethic, which she carried into her professional life. After high school, she pursued oil painting classes while simultaneously managing duties on her family's farm. During this period, she engaged in creating dōjinshi manga with friends and contributed yonkoma strips to a magazine. Her transition to Tokyo marked the beginning of her career in manga, initially working as an assistant writer for Hiroyuki Etō before making her debut as a manga artist in 1999 with STRAY DOG. The launch of Fullmetal Alchemist in 2001 catapulted her into the limelight, solidifying her status as an influential figure in the manga industry.