Takeshi Obata
WriterTakeshi Obata is the Japanese illustrator who drew Death Note, pairing his artwork with Tsugumi Ohba's story for the manga later adapted into an anime by Madhouse.
Death Note Role
Obata illustrated Death Note, the manga that ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2003 to 2006, working from scripts by writer Tsugumi Ohba. His detailed linework gave visual shape to Light Yagami, L, and the shinigami Ryuk, and the finished pages became the basis for the Madhouse anime adaptation and its later live-action films.
Career and Notable Roles
Before Death Note, Obata drew Hikaru no Go with writer Yumi Hotta, a series that introduced him to international readers between 1999 and 2003. He and Ohba reunited for Bakuman, a manga about the industry itself, and he has since become known as a mentor figure, having guided artists such as Nobuhiro Watsuki, Kentaro Yabuki, and Yusuke Murata early in their careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Takeshi Obata's most famous work?
Takeshi Obata is most widely recognized for illustrating Death Note, which ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2003 to 2006 with writer Tsugumi Ohba. He is also well known for Hikaru no Go and Bakuman, both created with different writing partners.
What is Takeshi Obata's art style?
Obata is known for detailed, meticulous linework, the style that gave visual shape to Light Yagami, L, and the shinigami Ryuk in Death Note. That artwork became the basis for the Madhouse anime adaptation and later live-action films.
What is Takeshi Obata's connection to Death Note?
Obata illustrated Death Note, working from scripts by writer Tsugumi Ohba, over its 2003-2006 run in Weekly Shonen Jump. The finished pages became the basis for the Madhouse anime adaptation and its later live-action films.
What manga did Takeshi Obata draw before Death Note?
Before Death Note, Obata drew Hikaru no Go with writer Yumi Hotta, a series that introduced him to international readers between 1999 and 2003. He was born in 1969.
Which artists has Takeshi Obata mentored?
Obata has become known as a mentor figure, having guided artists including Nobuhiro Watsuki, Kentaro Yabuki, and Yusuke Murata early in their careers. He and Ohba also reunited for Bakuman, a manga about the industry itself.
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Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Death Note anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Nippon Television and Warner Bros. Japan.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Konami and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha, Tsugumi Ohba, and Takeshi Obata.
Official resources:
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