Koushun Takami is a renowned Japanese author and journalist, celebrated for his groundbreaking novel Battle Royale. Born in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture and raised in Kagawa Prefecture, Takami's early life on Shikoku island shaped his creative perspective. He pursued higher education at Osaka University, earning a degree in literature, which he followed with a stint at Nihon University that he ultimately left unfinished.

Takami's career in journalism began with Shikoku Shimbun, where from 1991 to 1996, he covered a range of beats including politics, police reports, and economics. These experiences would later inform his writing style and thematic interests. His transition to a full-time author was marked by the completion of Battle Royale, a novel that stirred controversy and was initially rejected due to its provocative content. Despite this setback, Battle Royale was published in 1999 and rapidly ascended to bestseller status. Within a year, it was adapted into a manga and a live-action film, both commanding international attention and achieving cult status.

The English-speaking world gained access to Takami's work when Battle Royale was translated by Yuji Oniki and published by Viz Media in 2003, followed by an expanded edition in 2009 by Haika Soru, a Viz Media division. The English translation of the manga series also commenced in 2003 through Tokyopop, concluding in 2006. Takami's influence extends beyond Japan, garnering him a global following and making his work a significant cultural milestone.

Though he has not published new works since Battle Royale, Koushun Takami's legacy continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, testament to the power of his storytelling and the enduring relevance of his themes.