Takeshi Obata

2025-08-04T02:34:34Z

2603:3005:4B67:8100:4D58:7A9D:995E:18E4:

{{Short description|Japanese manga artist (born 1969)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox comics creator

| name_nonEN = 小畑健
| nonUS = ja
| image =
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| bodyclass =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|02|11}}
| birth_place = [[Niigata (city)|Niigata]], [[Niigata Prefecture]], Japan
| death_date =
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| nationality = Japanese
| area = {{flatlist|
*[[Manga artist]]
*illustrator
}}
| alias =
| signature =
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| notable works = {{ubl|''[[Hikaru no Go]]''|''[[Death Note]]''|''[[Bakuman]]''|''[[Platinum End]]''}}
| collaborators = {{ubl|[[Yumi Hotta]]|[[Tsugumi Ohba]]}}
| awards = {{ubl|[[Tezuka Award]] (1985)|[[Shogakukan Manga Award]] (1999)|[[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]] (2003)|[[Eagle Award (comics)|Eagle Award]] (2008)}}
| module =
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| manga artist = y
}}

{{nihongo|'''Takeshi Obata'''|小畑健|Obata Takeshi|born February 11, 1969}} is a Japanese [[manga artist]] that usually works as the illustrator in collaboration with a writer. He first gained international attention for ''[[Hikaru no Go]]'' (1999–2003) with [[Yumi Hotta]], but is better known for ''[[Death Note]]'' (2003–2006) and ''[[Bakuman]]'' (2008–2012) with [[Tsugumi Ohba]]. Obata has mentored several well-known manga artists, including [[Nobuhiro Watsuki]] of ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]'' fame, ''[[Black Cat (manga)|Black Cat]]'' creator [[Kentaro Yabuki]], and ''[[Eyeshield 21]]'' artist [[Yusuke Murata]].

==Career==
Takeshi Obata chose to be a [[manga artist]] because he always loved drawing. As a child he re-read [[Shotaro Ishinomori]]'s ''[[Cyborg 009]]'' over and over.<ref name="Viz interview">{{cite web|title=Interview - Takeshi Obata|url=http://shonenjump.viz.com/takeshi-obata-interview|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=August 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810113336/http://shonenjump.viz.com/takeshi-obata-interview|archive-date=August 10, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> His first published manga was in Higashi-Yamanoshita Elementary's [[school newspaper]] when he was in the third grade. It was about a hero who turned into a disposable [[pocket warmer]] when in trouble.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ohba |first1=Tsugumi |last2=Obata |first2=Takeshi |title=[[Bakuman]] |volume=3 |year=2011 |orig-year=2009 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |isbn=978-1-4215-3515-9 |page=1}}</ref> Obata originally became noticed in 1985 when he took a prize in the [[Tezuka Award]] for his [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] ''500 Kōnen no Shinwa''.<ref name="TezukaAward">{{cite web | url=http://www.jfast.net/~shelter/wj/tezuka.html | script-title=ja:手塚賞・赤塚賞歴代受賞者リスト | language=ja | access-date=March 1, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425152343/http://www.jfast.net/~shelter/wj/tezuka.html | archive-date=April 25, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Joining the ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' staff, he mentored under [[Makoto Niwano]] before starting his first major series, writing and drawing ''Cyborg Jii-chan G'' in 1989. After this series, Obata began collaborating with other writers.

''[[Sakon, the Ventriloquist]]'', with author Sharakumaro, became his first work to be adapted into an [[anime]]. He then created ''[[Hikaru no Go]]'' with [[Yumi Hotta]], which received the 1999 [[Shogakukan Manga Award]]<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web | url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html | script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 | publisher=Shogakukan | language=ja | access-date=August 19, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050424231028/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html | archive-date=April 24, 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and the 2003 [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]]. With 25 million collected volumes in circulation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mantan-web.jp/2013/05/16/20130516dog00m200009000c.html |script-title=ja:ほったゆみ：「ヒカルの碁」原作者が8年ぶり新作「はじマン」連載自らマンガ執筆 |work=[[Mainichi Shimbun|Mainichi Shimbun Digital]] |date=May 16, 2013 |language=ja |access-date=June 28, 2015 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104132013/http://mantan-web.jp/2013/05/16/20130516dog00m200009000c.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> it was adapted into an anime and became his first work to be released in North America.

In 2003 he teamed up with [[Tsugumi Ohba]] to create ''[[Death Note]]''. It became his biggest hit to date, with 30 million copies in circulation,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mantan-web.jp/2015/04/20/20150419dog00m200024000c.html | script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE ：日テレで今夏連ドラ化決定ニアも登場 | work=[[Mainichi Shimbun|Mainichi Shimbun Digital]] | language=ja | date=April 20, 2015 | access-date=April 20, 2015 | archive-date=March 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306044715/http://mantan-web.jp/2015/04/20/20150419dog00m200024000c.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> an anime adaptation, five live-action films, two live-action TV drama and a musical. Obata served as the artist of ''[[Blue Dragon Ral Grad]]'', a manga adaptation of the fantasy video game ''[[Blue Dragon (video game)|Blue Dragon]]'', from December 2006 to July 2007.

In the fall of 2007, he drew the short story "Hello Baby" with writer [[Masanori Morita]], which appeared in ''[[Jump Square]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-29/eyeshield-21s-murata-to-do-1-shot-window-washer-manga |title=Eyeshield 21's Murata to Do 1-Shot Window Washer Manga |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=January 29, 2008 |access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref> This was followed a year later by "Urōboe Uroboros!" with [[Nisio Isin]], who authored the ''[[Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases]]'' novel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-27/death-note-artist-novelist-team-up-on-uroboe-uroboros |title=Death Note Artist, Novelist Team Up on Urōboe Uroboros |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=December 27, 2007|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>

He then reunited with Tsugumi Ohba for ''[[Bakuman.]]'', which ran from August 2008 to April 2012. It was Shueisha's first manga to be released online in multiple languages before becoming available in print outside Japan and had over 15 million copies in publication as of May 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-19/death-note-team-bakuman-manga-posted-in-4-languages|title=Death Note Team's Bakuman Manga Posted in 4 Languages|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=August 19, 2008|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-05-06/kenshin-takeru-satoh-and-ryunosuke-kamiki-stars-in-live-action-bakuman-film |title=Kenshin's Takeru Satoh & Ryunosuke Kamiki Star in Live-Action Bakuman Film |publisher=Anime News Network |date=May 6, 2014 |access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref> In 2014, he drew a manga adaptation of ''[[All You Need Is Kill]]'' with Ryōsuke Takeuchi, basing the character designs on [[Yoshitoshi ABe]]'s original cover to the novel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-30/death-note-obata-adapts-all-you-need-is-kill-novel-into-manga|title=Death Note's Obata Adapts All You Need Is Kill Novel Into Manga|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 30, 2013|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref> He reunited with Nisio Isin for the one-shot "RKD-EK9", that ran in the December 2014 issue of ''Jump Square''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-30/death-note-obata-monogatari-nisioisin-rosario-vampire-ikeda-make-2-one-shot-manga-together/.79373|title=Death Note's Obata, Monogatari's NisiOisin, Rosario + Vampire's Ikeda Make 2 One-Shot Manga Together|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 30, 2014|access-date=October 1, 2014}}</ref>

Obata followed this by working with Nobuaki Enoki to relaunch Enoki's ''[[School Judgment: Gakkyu Hotei]]'' digital one-shot as a serial in the first issue of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' for 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-05/death-note-obata-to-relaunch-gakkyu-hotei-grade-school-legal-manga/.80694|title=Death Note's Obata to Relaunch Gakkyū Hōtei Grade-School Legal Manga|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 5, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref> However, the magazine stopped publishing it after the year's 24th issue and the series finished in the digital ''[[Shōnen Jump+]]'' on May 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-07/gakkyu-hotei-cyborg-roggy-manga-end-in-shonen-jump-on-monday/.87908|title=Gakkyu Hotei, Cyborg Roggy Manga End in Shonen Jump on Monday|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 7, 2015|access-date=June 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-28/shonen-jump-publishes-final-chapter-of-gakkyu-hotei-manga/.88624|title=Shonen Jump+ Publishes Final Chapter of Gakkyu Hotei Manga|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=June 28, 2015}}</ref> It was serialized in English in the digital ''[[Weekly Shonen Jump (American magazine)|Weekly Shonen Jump]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-15/gakkyu-hotei-joins-viz-shonen-jump-as-weekly-series/.82197|title=Gakkyu Hotei Joins Viz's Shonen Jump as Weekly Series|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=December 15, 2014|access-date=June 28, 2015}}</ref>

From 2015 to 2021, Obata created another series with Ohba called ''[[Platinum End]]''. Starting in the December 2015 issue of ''Jump Square'' on November 4, 2015, the manga ended on January 4, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hazra|first=Adriana|title=Takeshi Obata, Tsugumi Ohba's Platinum End Manga Ends|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-01-03/takeshi-obata-tsugumi-ohba-platinum-end-manga-ends/.168071|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 3, 2021|access-date=November 7, 2021}}</ref> The series had over 4.5 million copies in circulation by December 2020, and an anime adaptation began airing on television in October 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2179704/full/ |script-title=ja:漫画『プラチナエンド』TVアニメ化決定、来秋TBSで放送『デスノート』作者の最新作 |publisher=[[Oricon]] |language=ja |date=December 19, 2020 |access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> In October 2021, Obata teamed up with novelist Akinari Asakura to start the ''[[owarai]]''-themed manga series ''[[Show-ha Shoten!]]'' in the November issue of ''Jump Square''.<ref>{{cite web|title=小畑健×浅倉秋成が描く、お笑いを題材にした青春ストーリーがSQ.で始動|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/447812|work=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|language=ja|date=October 4, 2021|access-date=June 2, 2022}}</ref>

In addition to his manga work, Obata has also done character design work for the video game ''[[Castlevania Judgment]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-02/death-note-obata-to-work-on-next-castlevania-game |title=Death Note's Obata to Work on Next Castlevania Game |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 2, 2008|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref> as well as illustrating several [[light novels]]. He provided character designs for [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]]'s anime adaptations of [[Osamu Dazai]]'s ''[[No Longer Human]]'' and [[Natsume Sōseki]]'s ''[[Kokoro]]'', which are parts of the ''[[Aoi Bungaku]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-22/madhouse-aoi-bungaku-posts-staff-cast-lineup |title=Madhouse's Aoi Bungaku Posts Staff, Cast Lineup |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 22, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref> He drew manga manuscripts seen in the 2015 live-action [[Bakuman (film)|film adaptation]] of ''Bakuman'' that were later published in the ''Eiga Bakuman. Takeshi Obata Illustration Works'' book.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/bakuman_eiga02|title=映画「バクマン。」特集小畑健×大根仁対談|language=ja|publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=2015-09-25|access-date=2022-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/161706|title=「バクマン。」小畑健の映画用原稿やイラストが1冊に！対談や読切も|language=ja|publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|date=2015-10-02|access-date=2022-06-27}}</ref> He also designed a new [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] character for the 2016 ''[[Death Note: Light Up the New World]]'' live-action film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-09-12/2016-death-note-casts-miyuki-sawashiro-as-new-shinigami/.106348 |title=2016 Death Note Casts Miyuki Sawashiro as New Shinigami |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 12, 2016|access-date=September 12, 2016}}</ref> On May 3, 2016, [[Viz Media]] published Obata's 2006 art book ''Blanc et Noir'' in North America.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2016-04-14/viz-media-to-release-limited-edition-art-book-blanc-et-noir-takeshi-obata-illustrations/.101042 |title=VIZ Media to Release Limited Edition Art Book Blanc et Noir: Takeshi Obata Illustrations |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
On September 6, 2006, Obata was arrested for illegal possession of an 8.6 cm knife when he was pulled over in [[Musashino, Tokyo]] for driving with his car's headlights off at 12:30am. The artist claimed he kept the knife in his car for when he goes camping.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comipress.com/news/2006/09/06/688 |title=Death Note Author Arrested on Weapons Offence |publisher=Comipress|date=September 6, 2006|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-07/death-note-creator-arrested-for-possessing-a-knife |title=Death Note Creator Arrested for Possessing a Knife |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 7, 2006|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>

==Works==
===Manga===
* {{nihongo|''500 Kōnen no Shinwa''|500光年の神話}} (1985)
* {{nihongo|''Cyborg Jii-chan G''|CYBORGじいちゃんG（サイボーグじいちゃんジー）|}}  (1989)
* {{nihongo|''Arabian Lamp Lamp''|魔神冒険譚(アラビアン)ランプ・ランプ}} with Susumu Sendo (1991–1992)
* {{nihongo|''Chikarabito Densetsu -Oni o Tsugu Mono-''|力人伝説 -鬼を継ぐもの-}} with Masaru Miyazaki (1992–1993)
* {{nihongo|''[[Sakon, the Ventriloquist]]''|{{ruby-ja|人形|からくり}}草紙あやつり左近|Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon}} with Sharakumaro (1995–1996)
* {{nihongo|''[[Hikaru no Go]]''|ヒカルの碁}} with [[Yumi Hotta]] and supervised by [[Yukari Yoshihara]] (1998–2003)
* {{nihongo|''Hajime''|はじめ}} with [[Otsuichi]] (2003)
* ''[[Death Note]]'' with [[Tsugumi Ohba]] (2003–2006)
* {{nihongo|''[[Ral Grad]]''|BLUE DRAGON ラルΩグラド}} with Tsuneo Takano (2006–2007)
* ''Hello Baby'' with [[Masanori Morita]] (2007)
* {{nihongo|''Uro-oboe Uroboros!''|うろおぼえウロボロス!}} with [[Nisio Isin]] (2008)
* {{nihongo|''[[Bakuman]]''|バクマン。}} with Tsugumi Ohba (2008–2012)
* ''[[All You Need Is Kill]]'' with Ryōsuke Takeuchi (2014)
* ''RKD-EK9'' with Nisio Isin (2014)
* {{nihongo|''[[School Judgment: Gakkyu Hotei]]''|学糾法廷|Gakkyū Hōtei}} with Nobuaki Enoki (2014–2015)
* {{nihongo|''[[Platinum End]]''|プラチナエンド}} with Tsugumi Ohba (2015–2021)
* {{nihongo|''[[Show-ha Shoten!]]''|ショーハショーテン！}} with Akinari Asakura (2021–2025)

===Art books===
* {{nihongo|''Aya - Hikaru no Go Illustration Collection''|彩―ヒカルの碁イラスト集}} (April 2002)
* ''Blanc et Noir'' (May 31, 2006)
* {{nihongo|''Eiga Bakuman. Takeshi Obata Illustration Works''|映画バクマン。小畑健イラストワークス}} (October 2, 2015)

==Awards and nominations==
* 1985 [[Tezuka Award]] for "500 Kōnen no Shinwa"
* 1999 [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] for ''Hikaru no Go''<ref name="ShogakukanAward"/>
* 2003 [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]] Creative Award for ''Hikaru no Go''
* 2007 Nominated - Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Grand Prize for ''Death Note''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-10/11th-annual-tezuka-cultural-prize-winners-announced |title=11th Annual Tezuka Cultural Prize Winners Announced |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=December 27, 2007|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>
* 2008 Nominated - [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]] Official Selection for ''Death Note''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-22/manga-nominated-for-awards-at-angouleme-festival |title=Manga Nominated for Awards at Angouleme Festival |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 22, 2008|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>
* 2008 Nominated - [[Eisner Award]] for Best Penciller/Inker for ''Death Note''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/manga-listed-among-eisner-award-nominees-for-2008 |title=Manga Listed Among Eisner Award Nominees for 2008 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 14, 2008|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>
* 2008 [[Eagle Award (comics)|Eagle Award]] for Favourite Manga for ''Death Note''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-14/uk-fans-give-eagle-award-to-death-note-manga |title=UK Fans Give Eagle Award to Death Note Manga |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 14, 2008|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>
* 2010 Nominated - [[Manga Taishō]] for ''Bakuman.''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-18/10-titles-nominated-for-3rd-manga-taisho-awards |title=10 Titles Nominated for 3rd Manga Taisho Awards |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 18, 2010|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{ann|people|5766}}

{{Takeshi Obata}}
{{Death Note}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - Shōnen}}
{{Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Obata, Takeshi}}
[[Category:Takeshi Obata| ]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Japanese illustrators]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Manga artists from Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Category:People from Niigata (city)]]
[[Category:Winners of the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (Creative Award)]]

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Takeshi Obata