Natsuki Takaya

Natsuki Takaya, born Nana Hatake on July seventh, nineteen seventy-three, is a renowned Japanese manga artist celebrated for her iconic series, Fruits Basket. Raised in the vibrant city of Tokyo, Takaya's passion for manga ignited in the first grade, inspired by her sister's artistic endeavors. She made her professional debut in the manga industry in nineteen ninety-two, marking the beginning of a remarkable career.

Fruits Basket, which debuted in nineteen ninety-eight, quickly ascended to become one of the best-selling shōjo manga in North America. The series has captivated audiences with its heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters, leading to two successful anime adaptations. The first adaptation aired in two thousand one, consisting of twenty-six episodes, while the second, which premiered in two thousand nineteen, spanned two seasons with a total of thirty-eight episodes, concluding in two thousand twenty-one.

In recognition of her outstanding work, Takaya was awarded the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga in two thousand one for Fruits Basket. However, her journey was not without challenges; after the publication of volume six, she suffered a serious injury that required surgery on her drawing arm, resulting in a brief hiatus for the series. Despite her full recovery, Takaya humorously noted that her handwriting had become less neat due to the surgery.