Mangaka of the Week: Rumiko Takahashi

Rumiko Takahashi-sensei is considered to be one of the most affluent mangaka in Japan and one of its wealthiest citizens. It is no wonder why sensei acquired such wealth and fame — she is the best selling female comic artist in history. With titles such as InuYasha, Ranma 1/2, Maison Ikkoku, and Rin-ne under her name, it is only right that sensei would have such a position.

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While enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a school for budding mangaka founded by Kazuo Koike, Takahashi-sensei learned to create attention-grabbing and well-thought out characters. This skill led to the popularity of her works. Her works tend to be shōnen, with few works geared toward an older audience. These more mature works include Maison Ikkoku, a bitter-sweet romantic comedy about the people living in a boarding house. Besides this notable exception, sensei’s works tend to focus on the supernatural and fantastical while aimed at the shōnen audience.

Notable works of Takahashi-sensei include:

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Ranma 1/2

“Being a teenage martial artist isn’t easy, especially for Ranma Saotome, who went through a major transformation on a training mission with his father. After an accidental dunk into a legendary cursed spring in China, Ranma now changes into a girl every time he’s splashed with cold water. That would be enough to complicate anyone’s life, even without the arranged fiancée who doesn’t like him (or says she doesn’t) and the constant stream of rivals and suitors for both his male and female forms. What’s a half-guy, half-girl to do?” -Viz

Genre(s): Action Comedy Ecchi Gender Bender Harem Martial Arts Romance School Life Shounen

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InuYasha

“ Kagome is a modern Japanese high school girl. Never the type to believe in myths and legends, her world view dramatically changes when, one day, she’s pulled out of her own time and into another! There, in Japan’s ancient past, Kagome discovers more than a few of those dusty old legends are true, and that her destiny is linked to one legendary creature in particular—the dog-like half-demon called Inuyasha! That same trick of fate also ties them both to the Shikon Jewel, or “Jewel of Four Souls.” But demons beware…the smallest shard of the Shikon Jewel can give the user unimaginable power.

In 2002 Inuyasha won the Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen title of the year. ” -Viz

Genre(s): Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Historical Romance Shounen Supernatural

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[Mangaupdates.com, Wikipedia.org]

Mangaka of the Week: Rumiko Takahashi

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