Natsuki Takaya

Natsuki Takaya, born Nana Hatake on July 7, 1973, is a Japanese manga creator who began her professional career in 1992. She aspired to be a manga artist from a young age, inspired by her sister's drawings. Takaya is most widely recognized for her shōjo manga series, Fruits Basket, which first appeared in 1998. This series achieved significant success, becoming a best-seller in North America.

Fruits Basket has been adapted into anime twice. The initial adaptation aired in 2001 as a single season of twenty-six episodes. A more recent adaptation began in 2019, spanning multiple seasons and concluding in 2021. Takaya's work on Fruits Basket earned her the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga in 2001. During the series' publication, Takaya experienced a significant setback when she broke her drawing arm after the sixth volume was released, necessitating surgery and a temporary pause in the series' production. Although she recovered, she humorously noted a change in her handwriting post-surgery.

Natsuki Takaya harbored a lifelong ambition to become a manga artist, a dream that took root in her childhood. Her desire to create manga was sparked in her first grade year, influenced by her older sister's artistic endeavors. Raised in Tokyo, Takaya officially launched her career as a manga artist in 1992. This early dedication and inspiration laid the foundation for her future success in the manga industry, eventually leading her to create one of the most beloved shōjo series.

The manga series Fruits Basket, which debuted in 1998, became Natsuki Takaya's most prominent work. It achieved considerable popularity, particularly within the shōjo demographic, and became a major commercial success in North America. The series' widespread appeal led to its adaptation into an anime series on two separate occasions. The first anime adaptation aired in 2001, followed by a more extensive adaptation that began in 2019 and concluded in 2021. Takaya's contribution to the genre was recognized in 2001 when she received the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga for Fruits Basket.

Natsuki Takaya's creative journey was not without its challenges. A notable incident occurred after the publication of the sixth volume of Fruits Basket when Takaya sustained a broken drawing arm. This injury required surgical intervention, which led to a temporary hiatus in the production of the series. While she made a complete recovery, Takaya humorously commented on the unintended consequence of her surgery, noting that her handwriting had become less refined as a result. This period highlights her dedication to her work despite facing significant physical obstacles.