is a
gensakusha (writer). He is 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. The duo's second series
Bakuman. (2008–2012), was also successful with 15 million in circulation. In 2014, he collaborated with
My Little Monster creator Robico for the
one-shot "Skip! Yamada-kun". Another series with Obata called
Platinum End began in the December 2015 issue of
Jump SQ on November 4, 2015.