View source for Rumiko Takahashi

{{Short description|Japanese manga artist (born 1957)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Rumiko Takahashi
| native_name        = {{nobold|高橋 留美子}}
| native_name_lang   = ja
| birth_name         = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1957|10|10}}
| birth_place        = [[Niigata (city)|Niigata]], Niigata Prefecture, Japan
| death_date         = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) -->
| death_place        = 
| nationality        = 
| other_names        = 
| occupation         = [[Manga artist]]
| years_active       = 1978–present
| notable_works      = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Urusei Yatsura]]''
* ''[[Maison Ikkoku]]''
* ''[[Mermaid Saga]]''
* ''[[Ranma ½]]''
* ''[[Inuyasha]]''
* ''[[Rin-ne]]''
* ''[[Mao (manga)|Mao]]''
}}
| awards             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] (1980, 2001)
* [[Seiun Award]] (1987, 1989)
* [[Inkpot Award]] (1994)
* [[The Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame]] (2018)
* [[Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême]] (2019)
* [[Medal with Purple Ribbon]] (2020)}}
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Rumiko Takahashi'''|高橋 留美子|Takahashi Rumiko|born October 10, 1957}} is a Japanese [[manga artist]]. With a career of several commercially successful works, beginning with ''[[Urusei Yatsura]]'' in 1978, she is one of Japan's best-known and wealthiest manga artists.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=6753 | title=Japanese Top Tax Payers | work=Anime News Network | access-date=February 26, 2008 | archive-date=October 22, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022151444/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-06-02/japanese-top-tax-payers | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.d-web.co.jp/log/page/100.html | script-title=ja:2005年高額納税者ランキング | language=ja | work=D-web Portal | access-date=February 26, 2008 | archive-date=June 14, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614232250/http://www.d-web.co.jp/log/page/100.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Her works are known worldwide, where they have been translated into a variety of languages, with over 230&nbsp;million copies in circulation;<ref name="sales">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-10-12/rumiko-takahashi-manga-top-230-million-copies-in-circulation-worldwide/.216678|title=Rumiko Takahashi's Manga Top 230 Million Copies in Circulation Worldwide|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=October 12, 2024|access-date=October 12, 2024}}</ref> making Takahashi one of the [[List of best-selling fiction authors|best-selling authors]] of all time. She has won the [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] twice, once in 1980 for ''Urusei Yatsura'' and again in 2001 for ''[[Inuyasha]]'',<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, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805112042/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html |archive-date=August 5, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and the [[Seiun Award]] twice, once in 1987 for ''Urusei Yatsura'' and again in 1989 for ''[[Mermaid Saga]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/list.html |script-title=ja:星雲賞リスト |publisher=[[Federation of Science Fiction Fan Groups of Japan]] |language=ja |access-date=2019-01-26 |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010165758/http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/list.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She also received the [[Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême]] in 2019, becoming the second woman and second Japanese to win the prize.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/manga-queen-wins-top-french-comics-prize|title=Manga queen wins top French comics prize|date=26 January 2019|work=[[The Straits Times]]|access-date=4 March 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415130836/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/manga-queen-wins-top-french-comics-prize|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, the Japanese government awarded Takahashi the [[Medal with Purple Ribbon]] for her contributions to the arts.

==Career==
Takahashi was born in [[Niigata (city)|Niigata]], Japan.<ref name="Ranma vol 1: Rumiko Takahashi">Takahashi, Rumiko. ''Ranma ½'' Vol. 1 (May 1993). Viz Communications: San Francisco, CA. {{ISBN|0-929279-93-X}}. "Rumiko Takahashi". p. 302.</ref> Although she showed little interest in manga as a child, she was said to occasionally [[doodle]] in the margins of her papers while attending {{ill|Niigata Chūō High School|ja|新潟県立新潟中央高等学校}}. She co-founded a manga club at high school together with [[Yōko Kondō (manga artist)|Yōko Kondō]], who also became a manga artist.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last=Ikeda |first=Hajime |date=2018-01-25 |title=Nīgata-shi mangakka kondō yōko-san 60 |journal=[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]}}</ref> Takahashi's interest in drawing manga herself did not start until later.<ref name="Profile: Rumiko Takahashi -The Princess of Manga">{{cite web| url=http://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/takahashi3.html| title=Profile: Rumiko Takahashi -The Princess of Manga| publisher=Furinkan.com| access-date=2008-01-28| archive-date=January 26, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126032036/http://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/takahashi3.html| url-status=live}}</ref><!-- <img src=http://furinkan.com/features/articles/itsarumicworldopening20.jpg> --> In an interview in 2000, Takahashi said that she had always wanted to become a professional comic author since she was a child.<ref name="TakahashInt2">"Rumiko Takahashi Interview." ''[[Viz Media]]'', 2 March 2000. Interview #2. Retrieved on 2009-10-02 from https://archive.today/20000302153014/http://www.viz.com/products/series/takahashi/interview_02.html.</ref>

=== Initial works ===
During her university years, Takahashi enrolled in [[Gekiga Sonjuku]], a manga school founded by [[Kazuo Koike]], author of ''[[Crying Freeman]]'' and ''[[Lone Wolf and Cub]]''. Under his guidance, Takahashi began to publish her first ''[[dōjinshi]]'' creations in 1975, such as ''Bye-Bye Road'' and ''Star of Futile Dust''. Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Takahashi's works throughout her career.<ref name="Profile: Rumiko Takahashi -The Princess of Manga" /> Takahashi worked as an assistant for [[Horror comics|horror manga]] artist and ''[[Makoto-chan]]'' series creator [[Kazuo Umezu]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chazan |first=Helen |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Mermaid Saga: Collector's Edition Vol. 1 |url=https://www.tcj.com/reviews/mermaid-saga-collectors-edition-vol-1/ |access-date=February 27, 2023 |website=[[The Comics Journal]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227213041/https://www.tcj.com/reviews/mermaid-saga-collectors-edition-vol-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[[Flowers (magazine)|''Flowers'']]. February 2013 issue (December 28, 2012), p. 330–334 ([https://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/takahashi57.html English translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928181219/https://furinkan.com/takahashi/takahashi57.html |date=September 28, 2022 }}).</ref>

=== ''Katte na Yatsura'' and ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' ===
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published work was the one-shot ''{{ill|Katte na Yatsura|jp|勝手なやつら|vertical-align=sup}}'' (''Those Selfish Aliens''), which garnered her an honorable mention at that year's [[Shogakukan]] New Comics Contest.<ref name="Ranma vol 1: Rumiko Takahashi"/> Later that same year, she began her first serialized story in ''[[Weekly Shōnen Sunday]]''; ''[[Urusei Yatsura]]'', a comedic science fiction story. Takahashi initially had difficulty meeting deadlines, so chapters were published sporadically until 1980. During the run of the series, she shared a small apartment with two assistants, and often slept in a closet due to a lack of space.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Acres |last2=Acres |first1=Harley |first2=Acres |url=http://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/bio.html |title=Biography |publisher=Furinkan.com |access-date=2010-02-06 |archive-date=March 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318131335/http://furinkan.com/takahashi/bio.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During the same year, Takahashi published ''Time Warp Trouble'', ''Shake Your Buddha'', and the ''Golden Gods of Poverty'' in ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' magazine, a publication which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

=== Romantic comedies and short stories ===
In 1980, Takahashi started her second major series, ''[[Maison Ikkoku]]'', in ''[[Big Comic Spirits]]'' magazine, which had an older target audience than her previous work. Because of the influence of the [[New Wave (manga)|New Wave]] movement of manga in the late 1970s, [[Seinen manga|''seinen'' manga]], or comics marketed toward young men, became more open to including [[Shōjo manga|''shōjo'' manga]] aesthetics, or the aesthetics of comics marketed toward young women, and to hiring female manga artists.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mizumoto |first=Kentarō |date= |title=「ニューウェイブ」という時代 |url=http://www.big.or.jp/~solar/comics/newwave.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030123005700/http://www.big.or.jp/~solar/comics/newwave.html |archive-date=January 23, 2003 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |website=Sora Tobu Kikai}}</ref> ''Maison Ikkoku'' is a [[romantic comedy]], and Takahashi used her own experience living in an apartment complex to create the series. Takahashi managed to work on the series on and off simultaneously with ''Urusei Yatsura''. She concluded both series in 1987, with ''Urusei Yatsura'' ending at 34 volumes, and ''Maison Ikkoku'' at 15.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tomobiki-cho, The Urusei Yatsura Web Site|url=http://www.furinkan.com/uy/manga/manga.htm|website=www.furinkan.com|access-date=2020-05-29|archive-date=August 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807150010/http://www.furinkan.com/uy/manga/manga.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Life at Maison Ikkoku|url=http://www.furinkan.com/maison/manga/index.html|website=www.furinkan.com|access-date=2020-05-29|archive-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204185202/http://www.furinkan.com/maison/manga/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of [[short story]] manga. Her stories ''[[Laughing Target]]'', ''[[Maris the Chojo]]'', and ''[[Fire Tripper]]'' were all adapted into [[OVA|original video animations (OVAs)]]. In 1984, during the writing of ''Urusei Yatsura'' and ''Maison Ikkoku,'' Takahashi began a series published sporadically in ''[[Weekly Shōnen Sunday]]'' called ''[[Mermaid Saga]]'' which ran for 10 years, until 1994. The series was partially released in two [[wide-ban]] volumes, with the complete story released as a set of ''[[shinsoban]]'', or special edition, in 2003.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Clements |first1=Johnathan |title=The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 |date=1 November 2006 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |location=Berkeley, CA |isbn=978-1-933330-10-5 |pages=867 }}</ref>

Another short work of Takahashi's to be published sporadically was ''[[One-Pound Gospel]]''. Takahashi concluded the series in 2007 after publishing chapters in 1998, 2001, and 2006.<ref name="One Pound Gospel Ending">{{cite web| url=http://www.furinkan.com/gospel/manga/04.html| title=The Ring & The Rosary| publisher=Furinkan.com| access-date=2008-08-04| archive-date=July 24, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724234657/http://furinkan.com/gospel/manga/04.html| url-status=live}}</ref> One-Pound Gospel was adapted into a live-action TV drama.<ref>{{Cite web|title=THE ONE POUND GOSPEL|url=http://www.ntv.co.jp/english/pc/2011/02/the-one-pound-gospel.html|website=NIPPON TV|language=en|access-date=2020-05-29|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224212109/https://www.ntv.co.jp/english/pc/2011/02/the-one-pound-gospel.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other works===
In 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, ''[[Ranma ½]] ''. Following the late 1980s and early 1990s trend of ''[[shōnen]]'' [[martial arts]] manga, ''Ranma ½'' features a [[Gender bender|gender-bending]] twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. ''Ranma ½'' and its anime adaptation are cited as some of the first of their mediums to have become popular in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ranma-2-in-1-edition/gn-1|work=[[Anime News Network]]|title=Ranma ½ [2-in-1 Edition] GN 1 – Review|date=March 19, 2014|access-date=2015-03-25|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125044159/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ranma-2-in-1-edition/gn-1|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the latter half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of ''Mermaid Saga'' and ''One-Pound Gospel'' until beginning her fourth major work, ''[[Inuyasha]]''. Unlike the majority of her works, ''Inuyasha'' has a darker tone more akin to ''Mermaid Saga'' and, having been serialized in ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' from 1996 to 2008, is her longest to date. On March 5, 2009, Rumiko Takahashi released her one-shot ''Unmei No Tori''. On March 16, 2009, she collaborated with [[Mitsuru Adachi]], creator of ''[[Touch (manga)|Touch]]'' and ''[[Cross Game]]'', to release a one-shot called ''My Sweet Sunday''. Her next manga series, ''[[Rin-ne|Kyōkai no Rinne]]'' started on April 22, 2009. This was Rumiko Takahashi's first new manga series since her previous manga series ''Inuyasha'' ended in June 2008. She concluded it on December 13, 2017, with a total of 398 chapters, collected in 40 volumes.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

''Urusei Yatsura'', ''Maison Ikkoku'', ''Ranma ½'', ''Inuyasha'', and ''RIN-NE'' are all published in English in the United States by [[Viz Comics]]. The 1989 re-release of ''Urusei Yatsura'' was halted after only a few volumes were translated, but a reprint in a 2-in-1 omnibus format began in 2019 .<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-19/viz-media-to-release-rumiko-takahashi-urusei-yatsura-manga/.134453|title=Viz Media to Release Rumiko Takahashi's Urusei Yatsura Manga|website=animenewsnetwork.com|access-date=July 20, 2018|archive-date=July 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720053347/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-19/viz-media-to-release-rumiko-takahashi-urusei-yatsura-manga/.134453|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rumiko Takahashi started a new manga series entitled ''[[Mao (manga)|Mao]]'' in ''[[Weekly Shōnen Sunday]]'' issue #23 released on May 8, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Jennifer |title=Rumiko Takahashi Launches MAO Manga Series in May |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-04-16/rumiko-takahashi-launches-mao-manga-series-in-may/.145791 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=April 27, 2019 |date=April 16, 2019 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416175534/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-04-16/rumiko-takahashi-launches-mao-manga-series-in-may/.145791 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Animation==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=May 2019}}
In 1981, ''[[Urusei Yatsura (film series)|Urusei Yatsura]]'' became the first of Takahashi's works to be animated. This series first aired on Japanese television on October 14, and went through multiple director changes during its run. Though the 195-episode TV series ended in March 1986, ''Urusei Yatsura'' was kept alive in anime form through OVA and movie releases through 1991. Most notable of the series directors was [[Mamoru Oshii]], who made ''[[Urusei Yatsura (film series)#Beautiful Dreamer|Beautiful Dreamer]]'', the second ''Urusei Yatsura'' movie. [[AnimEigo]] has released the entire TV series and all of the OVAs and movies except for ''Beautiful Dreamer'' (which was released by [[Central Park Media]] in the U.S.) in the United States in English-subtitled format, with English dubs also made for the first two TV episodes (as ''Those Obnoxious Aliens'') and for all of the movies.

=== Kitty Films ===
Continued cooperation of [[Kitty Films]], [[Pierrot (company)|Studio Pierrot]], and [[Studio Deen]] in 1986 led to the adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's second work, ''[[Maison Ikkoku]],'' which debuted the week after the final TV episode of ''Urusei Yatsura''. The TV series ran for 96 episodes, 3 OVAs, a movie and also a live-action movie.

OVAs produced in the mid-80s:

* ''[[Maris the Chojo]]'' (May 21, 1986)
* ''[[Fire Tripper]]'' (December 16, 1985)
* ''[[Laughing Target]]'' (March 21, 1987)

OVAs produced in the early 90s:

* ''[[Mermaid Saga|Mermaid's Forest]]'' (August 16, 1991)
* ''[[Mermaid Saga|Mermaid's Scar]]'' (September 24, 1993)

All listed titles were eventually subtitled in English and released in the United States. [[Viz Communications]] has released the anime of ''Maison Ikkoku'', ''Ranma'' and ''Inuyasha'' in English, in both subtitled and dubbed formats. Studio Deen also provided animation duties on ''Maison Ikkoku'' and ''Ranma''.

''[[Ranma ½]]'' was the last major series produced by [[Kitty Films]]. The series was never concluded in animated form despite being 161 episodes and having two movies. Kitty Films discontinued work on the series due to turmoil in the company, and was continued by Studio Deen until 1996.

After Kitty Films, [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]] was the first studio to adapt a major Rumiko Takahashi series. From 2000 to 2004, ''[[Inuyasha]]'' ran for 167 episodes and spawned four major films. The first anime ended before the manga did, thus wrapping up inconclusively. A second Inuyasha series in 2009, ''[[Inuyasha: The Final Act|Inuyasha the Final Act]]'', ran until March 2010 in order to officially conclude the story.

=== 2008 special exhibit ===
2008 marked the 50th anniversary of ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' and the 30th anniversary of the first publication of ''Urusei Yatsura''. Rumiko Takahashi's manga work was honoured in ''It's a Rumic World'', a special exhibition held from July 30 to August 11 at the Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo.

The exhibit included a new half-hour ''Ranma ½'' and ''Inuyasha'' OVAs and an introductory sequence featuring characters from ''Urusei Yatsura'', ''Ranma'' and ''Inuyasha'' (starring the characters' original anime voice talents).

''It's a Rumic World'' was scheduled to re-open in [[Sendai, Japan|Sendai]] in December 2008, at which time a new half-hour ''Urusei Yatsura'' OVA was scheduled to premiere. A special DVD release containing all three new OVAs was announced as coming out on January 29, 2010, with a trailer posted in September 2009. However, it is not known whether any of the new episodes will ever be released outside Japan.

''[[Rumic Theater|Rumiko Takahashi Anthology]]'', animated by [[TMS Entertainment]] adapts many of her short stories from the 80s. It features her stories ''The Tragedy of P'', ''The Merchant of Romance'', ''Middle-Aged Teen'', ''Hidden in the Pottery'', ''Aberrant Family F'', ''As Long As You Are Here'', ''One Hundred Years of Love'', ''In Lieu of Thanks'', ''Living Room Lovesong'', ''House of Garbage'', ''One Day Dream'', ''Extra-Large Size Happiness'', and ''The Executive's Dog''. Also, a TV series of ''Mermaid Saga'' was produced in 2003, animating 8 of her stories.

==Legacy and impact in the West==
Many of Takahashi's works have been translated into English, as well as other European languages. Takahashi has said that she did not know why her works are relatively popular with English speakers. Takahashi told [[Viz Media]] in a March 2000 interview: {{quote|"Sure, there are cultural differences in my work. When I see an [[American humor|American comedy]], even though the jokes are translated, there's always a moment when I feel puzzled and think, 'Ah, Americans would probably laugh at this more'. I suppose the same thing must happen with my books. It's inevitable. And yet, that doesn't mean my books can't be enjoyed by English-speaking readers. I feel confident that there's enough substance to them that people from a variety of cultural backgrounds can have a lot of fun reading them."<ref name="TakahashInt2"/>}}

Artists that have cited Takahashi and her work as an influence include Canadian [[Bryan Lee O'Malley]] on his series ''[[Scott Pilgrim]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/12/02/tokyo-comicon-2017-bryan-lee-omalley-scott-pilgrim-talks-about-the-influence-from-ranma-12|title=Tokyo ComiCon 2017: Bryan Lee O'Malley (Scott Pilgrim) Talks About the Influence from 'Ranma 1/2'|publisher=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=2017-12-02|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-date=October 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002145034/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/12/02/tokyo-comicon-2017-bryan-lee-omalley-scott-pilgrim-talks-about-the-influence-from-ranma-12|url-status=live}}</ref> American [[Colleen Coover]] on her erotic series ''Small Favors'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://comicsalliance.com/colleen-coover-small-favors-interview/|title=Everyone Has Fun: Colleen Coover Talks 'Small Favors'|work=[[ComicsAlliance]]|date=2017-02-16|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-date=May 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201811/http://comicsalliance.com/colleen-coover-small-favors-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Japanese Chihiro Tamaki on her manga ''[[Walkin' Butterfly]]'',<ref>{{cite book | title=[[Walkin' Butterfly]] |volume = 1 | chapter=Talkin' Butterfly: An Interview with Chihiro Tamaki | publisher=[[Aurora Publishing (United States)|Aurora Publishing]] | date=August 2007 | isbn=978-1-934496-00-8}}</ref> Chinese-Australian [[Queenie Chan]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.queeniechan.com/2014/03/19/famous-women-rumiko-takahashi/?v=7516fd43adaa|title=Famous Women: Rumiko Takahashi|publisher=queeniechan.com|date=2014-03-19|access-date=2019-01-26|archive-date=July 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715040040/https://queeniechan.com/2014/03/19/famous-women-rumiko-takahashi/?v=322b26af01d5|url-status=live}}</ref> and Thai [[Wisut Ponnimit]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/wisut-ponnimits-him-her-that-first-look/ |title=Wisut Ponnimit's Him Her That: First Look |date=2013-09-17 |work=[[Otaku USA]] |access-date=2019-01-26 |archive-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035418/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/wisut-ponnimits-him-her-that-first-look/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Scottish rock band [[Urusei Yatsura (band)|Urusei Yatsura]] named themselves after her first work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urusei-yatsura.co.uk/Biography.htm |title=Urusei Yatsuru Biography |publisher=urusei-yatsura.co.uk |access-date=2019-01-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010424095024/http://www.urusei-yatsura.co.uk/Biography.htm |archive-date=April 24, 2001 }}</ref> Matt Bozon, creator of the ''[[Shantae]]'' video game series, cited ''Ranma ½'' as a big influence on his work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.girlgamer.com/zine/article/2985/ |title=The Kickstart – Shantae Is Back in 1/2 Genie Hero |date=2013-09-09 |publisher=girlgamer.com |access-date=2019-01-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917093704/http://www.girlgamer.com/zine/article/2985/ |archive-date=2013-09-17}}</ref> Chinese-Canadian filmmaker [[Domee Shi]] listed both ''Ranma ½'' and ''Inuyasha'' as influences on her film ''[[Turning Red]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.polygon.com/22947922/turning-red-pixar-anime-influences |title=4 classic anime that inspired Turning Red |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=2022-03-08 |access-date=2025-01-10}}</ref>

== Honors ==
* A recipient of the [[Inkpot Award]] at the 1994 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]<ref name="halloffame">{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-21/rumiko-takahashi-inducted-into-will-eisner-comic-awards-hall-of-fame/.134542 |title=Rumiko Takahashi Inducted into Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721081439/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-21/rumiko-takahashi-inducted-into-will-eisner-comic-awards-hall-of-fame/.134542 |url-status=live }}</ref> 
* Inducted into [[Friends of Lulu]]'s [[List of Lulu Award winners#Women Cartoonists Hall of Fame|Women Cartoonists Hall of Fame]] in 2005<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/lulu.php | title =  Lulu Award | publisher = Comic Book Awards Almanac | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130126234514/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/lulu.php | archivedate = January 26, 2013 | url-status = live}}</ref> 
* In 2016, [[ComicsAlliance]] listed Takahashi as one of twelve women cartoonists deserving of lifetime achievement recognition, stating that "Any one of her projects would be the career highlight of another talent."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/women-lifetime-achievement-awards/ |title=12 Women in Comic Who Deserve Lifetime Achievement Recognition |publisher=[[ComicsAlliance]]|access-date=2016-08-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801110216/http://comicsalliance.com/women-lifetime-achievement-awards/ |archive-date=August 1, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> 
* The next year, Takahashi was inducted into the [[Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame|Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (now the Museum of Pop Culture)]] in [[Seattle]] as part of the 2016 class.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=2016 SF&F Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://locusmag.com/2017/01/2016-sff-hall-of-fame-inductees/ |magazine=[[Locus (magazine)|Locus]] |date=2017-01-17 |access-date=2019-01-26}}</ref> 
* In July 2018, she was inducted into the [[Will Eisner Hall of Fame]].<ref name="halloffame"/> She had previously been nominated for entry in 2014, 2016 and 2017.<ref name="halloffame"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-12/hayao-miyazaki-rumiko-takahashi-nominated-for-eisner-hall-of-fame |title=Hayao Miyazaki, Rumiko Takahashi Nominated for Eisner Hall of Fame |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=February 12, 2014 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214074601/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-12/hayao-miyazaki-rumiko-takahashi-nominated-for-eisner-hall-of-fame |url-status=live }}</ref> 
* In January 2019, Takahashi won the [[Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême]], becoming the second woman and second manga artist to win the award at the [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/fr/anime-news/2019/01/23-1/rumiko-takahashi-wins-big-at-angoulme-with-grand-prix-2019-prize |title=Rumiko Takahashi Wins Big at Angoulême with Grand Prix 2019 Prize |publisher=[[Crunchyroll]] |date=January 23, 2019 |access-date=January 23, 2019 |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041807/https://www.crunchyroll.com/fr/anime-news/2019/01/23-1/rumiko-takahashi-wins-big-at-angoulme-with-grand-prix-2019-prize |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/manga-queen-wins-top-french-comics-prize |title=Manga Queen Wins Top French Comics Prize |date=26 January 2019 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |location=Singapore |access-date=4 March 2019 |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415130836/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/manga-queen-wins-top-french-comics-prize |url-status=live }}</ref> 
* In 2020, Takahashi was awarded Japan's [[Medal with Purple Ribbon]] conferred by the Emperor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://this.kiji.is/695724473214813281?c=65699763097731077 |date=November 2, 2020 |title=秋の褒章、高橋留美子さんら |trans-title=Autumn Medal 2020, Rumiko Takahashi and Others |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106063053/https://this.kiji.is/695724473214813281?c=65699763097731077 |archive-date=6 November 2020 |url-status=dead |publisher=[[Kyodo News]] |access-date=November 2, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-11-01/ranma-1-2-inuyasha-creator-rumiko-takahashi-receives-japan-medal-with-purple-ribbon/.165840 |title=Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha Creator Rumiko Takahashi Receives Japan's Medal with Purple Ribbon |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002151733/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-11-01/ranma-1-2-inuyasha-creator-rumiko-takahashi-receives-japan-medal-with-purple-ribbon/.165840 |url-status=live }}</ref> 
* Takahashi was inducted into the [[Harvey Awards Hall of Fame]] in October 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-10-08/tatsuki-fujimoto-chainsaw-man-manga-wins-best-manga-at-harvey-awards/.178297 |title=Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man Manga Wins Best Manga at Harvey Awards |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2021-10-08 |access-date=2021-10-09 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009005810/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-10-08/tatsuki-fujimoto-chainsaw-man-manga-wins-best-manga-at-harvey-awards/.178297 |url-status=live }}</ref> 
* In April 2023, Takahashi was conferred the Chevalier de l'[[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]] by the French government.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=Manga Creator Rumiko Takahashi Knighted by France |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-06/manga-creator-rumiko-takahashi-knighted-by-france/.196840 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=6 April 2023 |date=6 April 2023 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406190633/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-06/manga-creator-rumiko-takahashi-knighted-by-france/.196840 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Japanese Manga Artist Rumiko Takahashi Given French Honor |url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/manga-anime/20230407-102089/ |work=[[The Japan News]] |date=7 April 2023 |agency=[[Jiji Press]] |access-date=8 April 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408042941/https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/manga-anime/20230407-102089/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Major works==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! width="90" | Years
! width="250" | Name
! width="220" | Magazine
! width="90" | Total number of volumes
! width="90" | Circulation in Japan
! width="20" | Japanese publisher
! width="20" | English publisher
|-
| 1978–2015
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Rumic World]]''|るーみっくわーるど}}
| Various
| 5
|
| align="left" rowspan="10"| [[Shogakukan]]
| align="left" rowspan="10"| [[Viz Media]]
|-
| 1978–1987
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Urusei Yatsura]]''|うる星やつら}}
| ''[[Weekly Shōnen Sunday]]''
| 34
| 35 million<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:倖田來未×高橋留美子『うる星やつら』コラボMV公開！「観るたびに泣けてしまいます|url=https://www.m-on-music.jp/0000442233/|website=M-ON! Music|language=ja|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106034544/https://www.m-on-music.jp/0000442233/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1980–1987
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Maison Ikkoku]]''|めぞん一刻}}
| ''[[Big Comic Spirits]]''
| 15
| 25 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://license-new.shopro.co.jp/products/detail/29|script-title=ja:めぞん一刻|work=[[ShoPro]]|access-date=November 8, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608005645/http://license-new.shopro.co.jp/products/detail/29|archive-date=June 8, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 1984–1994
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Mermaid Saga]]''|人魚シリーズ}}
| ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday''
| 3
|
|-
| 1987–1996
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Ranma ½]]''|らんま1/2}}
| ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday''
| 38
| 55 million<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:肌触りなめらか♪ 『らんま1/2』猫飯店サテン巾着バッグ！す|url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210614-1904323/|website=Mynavi|language=ja|date=June 14, 2021|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190535/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210614-1904323/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1987–2006
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[One-pound Gospel]]''|1ポンドの福音}}
| ''[[Weekly Young Sunday]]''
| 4
|
|-
| 1987–present
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Rumic Theater]]''|高橋留美子劇場}}
| ''[[Big Comic Original]]''
| 6
|
|-
| 1996–2008
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Inuyasha]]''|犬夜叉}}
| ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday''
| 56
| 50 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://license-new.shopro.co.jp/products/detail/43|script-title=ja:犬夜叉|work=[[ShoPro]]|access-date=November 8, 2016|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306084518/http://license-new.shopro.co.jp/products/detail/43|archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 2009–2017
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Rin-ne]]''|境界のRINNE}}
| ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday''
| 40
| 3 million<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2014-11-16/25-episode-rin-ne-anime-brains-base-staff-visual-unveiled/.81091|title=25-Episode RIN-NE Anime's Brains Base Staff, Visual Unveiled|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 16, 2014|access-date=February 3, 2015|archive-date=January 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109130333/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2014-11-16/25-episode-rin-ne-anime-brains-base-staff-visual-unveiled/.81091|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2019–present
| align="left"| {{nihongo|''[[Mao (manga)|Mao]]''|マオ}}
| ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday''
| 26
| 1 million<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:「MAO」100話＆100万部記念し梶裕貴ら出演PV制作、次号「絶チル」最終回|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/435864|website=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]]|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=July 16, 2021|language=ja|date=July 7, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716005721/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/435864|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Twitter|rumicworld1010}}
* {{anime News Network|people|149}}
* [https://www.lambiek.net/artists/t/takahashi_rumiko.htm Rumiko Takahashi] at [[Lambiek]]'s Comiclopedia
* [http://www.furinkan.com/ The Rumic World]—English-language fansite about Takahashi's work
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19980214184327/http://j-pop.com/archive/manga/7/rumic/rumic.html ''Animerica'' interview]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHdNx6ZUffM Introductory sequence from the 2008 special exhibit]

{{Rumiko Takahashi}}
{{Inkpot Award 1990s}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - Shōjo}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - Shōnen}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Takahashi, Rumiko}}
[[Category:Rumiko Takahashi| ]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese women artists]]
[[Category:Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]
[[Category:Japanese female comics writers]]
[[Category:Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême winners]]
[[Category:Japan Women's University alumni]]
[[Category:Japanese cartoonists]]
[[Category:Japanese female comics artists]]
[[Category:Manga artists from Niigata Prefecture]]
[[Category:People from Niigata (city)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Women manga artists]]