About the Author

Unconventional author/artist Hiroyuki Takei began his career by winning the coveted Hop Step Award (a monthly award given by WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP for amateur artists) and the Osamu Tezuka Award (named after the famous artist of the same name). After working as an assistant to famed artist Nobuhiro Watsuki, Takei debuted in WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP in 1997 with BUTSU ZONE, an action series based on Buddhist mythology. His multicultural adventure Manga, SHAMAN KING, which debuted in 1998, became a hit and was adapted into an anime TV series. Takei lists Osamu Tezuka, American comics, and robot anime among his many influences.