Tsugumi Ohba
WriterTsugumi Ohba is a pseudonym used by the Japanese writer who scripted Death Note for artist Takeshi Obata, choosing to keep his real identity hidden from the public.
Death Note Role
Ohba wrote the story for Death Note, plotting the cat-and-mouse conflict between Light Yagami and L across the manga's 2003 to 2006 run in Weekly Shonen Jump, with Takeshi Obata handling the art. The series sold in the tens of millions and was later adapted into an anime by Madhouse as well as multiple live-action films.
Career and Notable Roles
Ohba reteamed with Obata for Bakuman, a manga about two students trying to break into the industry, and later for Platinum End, which ran in Jump SQ into 2021. In 2014 he wrote the one-shot "Skip! Yamada-kun" with My Little Monster creator Robico, one of the rare projects where he worked outside the Obata partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tsugumi Ohba real?
Tsugumi Ohba is a pseudonym used by the Japanese writer who scripted Death Note for artist Takeshi Obata. The person behind the name has chosen to keep their real identity hidden from the public.
What else has Tsugumi Ohba written?
Ohba reteamed with Takeshi Obata on Bakuman, a manga about two students trying to break into the manga industry, and later on Platinum End, which ran in Jump SQ into 2021.
What anime did Tsugumi Ohba make?
Ohba did not work directly in anime; he wrote the Death Note manga for artist Takeshi Obata, which ran from 2003 to 2006 in Weekly Shonen Jump before being adapted into an anime by the studio Madhouse.
What is Tsugumi Ohba best known for?
Ohba is best known for Death Note, which sold in the tens of millions and was adapted beyond its Madhouse anime into multiple live-action films, all built on the story he wrote for Takeshi Obata's art.
Has Tsugumi Ohba ever worked without Takeshi Obata?
Yes, in 2014 Ohba wrote the one-shot Skip! Yamada-kun with My Little Monster creator Robico, one of the rare projects where he worked outside his usual partnership with Obata.
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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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