Rumiko Takahashi is a renowned Japanese manga artist, celebrated for her prolific career and worldwide success. Born on October 10, 1957, she first gained prominence with her debut series, Urusei Yatsura, in 1978. Her extensive oeuvre includes well-known titles such as Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, and Inuyasha. Takahashi's works have been translated into numerous languages, and with over 230 million copies in circulation, she stands among the best-selling authors of all time.

She has received several prestigious awards, including the Shogakukan Manga Award twice: in 1980 for Urusei Yatsura, and in 2001 for Inuyasha. She also won the Seiun Award twice and was honored with the Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême in 2019, making history as the second woman and second Japanese to achieve this recognition. In 2020, the Japanese government awarded her the Medal with Purple Ribbon for her contributions to the arts.