Tsugumi Ohba (Japanese: 大場 つぐみ, Hepburn: Ōba Tsugumi) is the pen name of a Japanese manga writer, best known for authoring the Death Note manga series with illustrator Takeshi Obata from 2003 to 2006, which has 30 million collected volumes in circulation.[2] The duo's second series, Bakuman. (2008–2012), was also successful with 15 million in circulation.[3] In 2014, Ohba collaborated with My Little Monster creator Robico for the one-shot "Skip! Yamada-kun".[4] Another series with Obata, Platinum End, was serialized in the monthly Jump SQ from November 4, 2015, to January 4, 2021.[5][6]
| Tsugumi Ohba 大場 つぐみ | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tokyo, Japan[1] |
| Area(s) | Manga writer |
Notable works | Death Note Bakuman Platinum End |
| Collaborators | Takeshi Obata |
| Awards | Eagle Award for Favourite Manga for Death Note |
Identity
editOhba's real identity is a closely guarded secret.[7][8] Ohba said they never thought of becoming a manga creator, expecting the Death Note pilot to be passed on by Weekly Shōnen Jump.[9] They have since cited Shotaro Ishinomori, Fujiko Fujio, and Fujio Akatsuka as manga creators by whom they are heavily inspired.[10] Despite being an author, Ohba does not read much, instead they watch a lot of movies, being especially fond of those by Akira Kurosawa and Charlie Chaplin. They cited comedy as their favorite genre, and prefer Japanese films to American ones.[9] The author described themselves as a "clean freak" and usually cleans once a day.[9] Ohba is fond of art lithographs,[9] collects teacups, and develops manga plots while holding their knees on a chair,[11] the last being similar to a habit of L, one of the main characters of Death Note.
There is speculation that Tsugumi Ohba is a pen name of manga artist Hiroshi Gamo, notably by Toshio Okada.[12][13] Among other supposed hidden clues in Ohba's works, supporters of the theory point out that in Bakuman the main character's uncle was a one-hit wonder manga artist who worked on a gag superhero manga, similar to Gamo and Tottemo! Luckyman, and also that the storyboards drawn by Ohba resemble Tottemo! Luckyman in style.[12]
Works
edit- Death Note with Takeshi Obata (2003–2006)
- Centers on high school student Light Yagami, who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing the victim's name (and knowing their face). The plot follows his attempt to create and lead a world "cleansed of evil" which he will rule as "God" using the notebook, and the conflicts between himself and anyone he sees as an obstacle, from law enforcement to the mafia to the greatest detective in the world.
- Bakuman with Takeshi Obata (2008–2012)
- Revolves around two high school students who team up to try to create a successful manga, so it will be made into an anime in order for the artist of the group, Moritaka Mashiro, to fulfill the promise he made to a girl named Miho Azuki, whose dream is to become a voice actress for anime, as well as the dream of Akito Takagi, the writer of the duo.
- Skip! Yamada-kun (スキップ！山田くん) with Robico (2014)
- Platinum End with Takeshi Obata (2015–2021)
Awards and nominations
edit- 2007 Nominated – Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Grand Prize for Death Note[14]
- 2008 Nominated – Angoulême International Comics Festival Official Selection for Death Note[15]
- 2008 Won – Eagle Award for Favourite Manga for Death Note[16]
- 2010 Nominated – Manga Taishō for Bakuman.[17]
References
edit- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata Spotlight". Viz Media. May 28, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ DEATH NOTE ： 日テレで今夏連ドラ化決定 ニアも登場. Mainichi Shimbun Digital (in Japanese). April 20, 2015. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^ "Kenshin's Takeru Satoh & Ryunosuke Kamiki Star in Live-Action Bakuman Film". Anime News Network. May 7, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- ^ "Death Note's Ohba, My Little Monster's Robico Make 1-Shot Manga". Anime News Network. April 20, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- ^ "Bakuman, Death Note Creators Launch Platinum End Manga". Anime News Network. September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
- ^ Hazra, Adriana (January 3, 2021). "Takeshi Obata, Tsugumi Ohba's Platinum End Manga Ends". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ Bakuman, Volume 2. Inside cover profiles, Ohba's gender was previously unknown to the general public. Bakuman, volume 3- "His current series is Bakuman, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump
- ^ Francisco, Eric (August 24, 2017). "The Creator of 'Death Note' Is A Very Mysterious Man". Yahoo! News. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Ohba, Tsugumi; Obata, Takeshi (2008). Death Note 13: How to Read. Viz Media. pp. 174, 183–185. ISBN 978-1-4215-1888-6.
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Tsugumi Ohba". Viz Media. May 28, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ "VIZ Media Profiles: Takeshi Obata and Tsugumi Ohba". Viz Media. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2008.
- ^ a b 「大場つぐみ＝ガモウひろし」説に決着？ 「バクマン。」に新たなヒント。 (in Japanese). Narinari.com. January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ^ Fujie, Kazuhisa; Komen, Daniel (2008). Death Note: Fatally Fun Facts. DH Publishing Inc. p. 30. ISBN 978-1932897326.
- ^ "11th Annual Tezuka Cultural Prize Winners Announced". Anime News Network. December 27, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "Manga Nominated for Awards at Angouleme Festival". Anime News Network. January 22, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "UK Fans Give Eagle Award to Death Note Manga". Anime News Network. May 14, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "10 Titles Nominated for 3rd Manga Taisho Awards". Anime News Network. January 18, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
External links
edit- Tsugumi Ohba at Anime News Network's encyclopedia