Tsugumi Ohba is a renowned Japanese manga writer, best known under a pen name. Ohba's most notable work includes the immensely popular manga series Death Note, created in collaboration with illustrator Takeshi Obata, which ran from 2003 to 2006 and resulted in 30 million copies in circulation. The pair's next series, Bakuman. (2008–2012), achieved similar success with 15 million copies in circulation.
In 2014, Ohba worked alongside Robico, the creator of My Little Monster, on a one-shot titled "Skip! Yamada-kun." Ohba's creative partnership with Obata continued with the series Platinum End, serialized from November 4, 2015, to January 4, 2021, in Jump SQ.
The true identity of Tsugumi Ohba is shrouded in mystery, with speculation suggesting the name might be a pseudonym for Hiroshi Gamō, known for the manga Tottemo! Luckyman, among others. There are rumors linking the pseudonym to Yuko Asami, an artist for Shonen Jump, with some suggesting that Ohba's work may even be reflected in the character "L" from Death Note, known for distinct habits like sitting in a peculiar way and having a fondness for snacks.
In Ohba's communication with fans, a silhouette of a woman holding an apple is often used, adding to the intrigue surrounding the author's gender and identity. According to profiles, Ohba hails from Tokyo, Japan, and is said to enjoy collecting teacups while constantly developing new manga plots.