Natsuki Takaya, born July 7, 1973, in Shizuoka, prefecture of Tokyo, Japan, is a renowned Japanese manga artist best known for her creation of the series Fruits Basket. Takaya was born under the auspicious Tanabata festival, a detail that adds a poetic touch to her life narrative. Raised in Tokyo, she embarked on her manga artist journey in 1992, translating her childhood dream into reality. From the tender age of first grade, inspired by her sister's drawings, Takaya aspired to join the ranks of manga artists.

Her landmark series, Fruits Basket, debuted in 1998, quickly climbing the ranks to become one of the best-selling shōjo manga in North America. Its popularity soared to such heights that it was adapted into an anime series not once, but twice. The first adaptation aired in 2001 as a twenty-six-episode season, while the second, launched in 2019, spanned three seasons with the final one concluding in 2021. These adaptations have helped cement Fruits Basket's place in both anime and manga lore.

In 2001, Takaya's exceptional talent was acknowledged with the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga, a prestigious accolade in the manga community. However, her journey was not without hurdles. After the publication of the sixth volume of Fruits Basket, Takaya suffered a severe injury to her drawing arm, necessitating surgery. This incident led to a brief hiatus for the series. Despite the challenges, Takaya made a commendable recovery, although she humorously noted a decline in her handwriting's aesthetics post-surgery.

Apart from her professional life, Takaya has a passion for video games, with favorites including the Final Fantasy series and Sakura Wars. These hobbies reflect in the vibrancy and depth of her storytelling. Takaya, a left-handed artist, has continually captivated audiences worldwide, making an indelible mark on the manga and anime industries.