Tsugumi Ohba Takeshi Obata

Tsugumi Ohba is the enigmatic pen name of a Japanese manga writer celebrated for the globally successful "Death Note" series, created with artist Takeshi Obata between 2003 and 2006. This influential work, which sold over 30 million collected volumes, explored themes of justice and morality through a supernatural notebook. The duo later collaborated on "Bakuman" (2008–2012), another hit that garnered 15 million in sales, detailing the aspirations of aspiring manga creators. Ohba has also worked with other artists, including a 2014 one-shot with Robico and the ongoing series "Platinum End" with Obata, serialized from 2015 to 2021.

Ohba's true identity remains a closely guarded secret, adding to their mystique. They have expressed that their path to manga creation was unexpected, initially believing the "Death Note" pilot would not be accepted. Their artistic influences include Shotaro Ishinomori, Fujiko Fujio, and Fujio Akatsuka. Contrary to a typical author's habits, Ohba reportedly reads little, preferring to watch films, particularly those by Akira Kurosawa and Charlie Chaplin, and favors comedy and Japanese cinema. They have described themselves as a "clean freak" and collect teacups, developing story ideas while sitting with their knees drawn up, a posture reminiscent of the "Death Note" character L.

Tsugumi Ohba's creative process is as unique as their concealed identity. Rather than extensive reading, Ohba draws inspiration from cinema, with a particular fondness for the works of Akira Kurosawa and Charlie Chaplin. Comedy is cited as a favorite genre, with a preference for Japanese films over American ones. This cinematic influence likely informs the dramatic and character-driven narratives found in their manga. Furthermore, Ohba has acknowledged significant inspiration from legendary manga creators such as Shotaro Ishinomori, Fujiko Fujio, and Fujio Akatsuka, suggesting a deep respect for the history and artistry of the manga medium. The author also describes a personal habit of being a "clean freak" and enjoys collecting teacups, often developing manga plots while seated in a distinctive posture, drawing parallels to the character L from "Death Note."

The true identity of Tsugumi Ohba is one of the most intriguing aspects surrounding the author. This deliberate anonymity has fueled speculation, with some, like Toshio Okada, suggesting a possible connection to manga artist Hiroshi Gamo. Proponents of this theory point to narrative elements and stylistic similarities in Ohba's work, such as a character in "Bakuman" resembling Gamo's "Tottemo! Luckyman" and storyboards mirroring its style. Ohba's own account of their career path adds to the mystery, as they did not initially aspire to be a manga creator and expected their first major work, "Death Note," to be rejected. This unexpected journey into the manga world, combined with their reclusive nature and unique creative habits, contributes to the aura of mystery surrounding the author.