The Art of Rumiko Takahashi: Colors 1978–2024

A deluxe art book featuring the original art from renowned manga artist Rumiko Takahashi’s most popular series, including Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, Inuyasha, RIN-NE, and Mao.

Ranma ½

Maison Ikkoku

Mao

For over forty-five years, Rumiko Takahashi has thrilled readers with her versatile storytelling in such works as Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma ½, Inuyasha, RIN-NE, and Mao. This deluxe art book is presented in its original right-to-left format and shows off Takahashi’s original drawings in gorgeous detail, highlighting the original colors and typesetting.

This book features commentary, anecdotes, and a long-form interview with Takahashi in which she provides readers with insight into her process. Also included are a ribbon bookmark, an exclusive drawing of Lum from Urusei Yatsura showing each phase from sketch to final art, and special sections in which Takahashi picks her favorite panels from her series. This unique look into the mind of a creative master is sure to inspire readers, artists, and fans all over the world.

The spotlight on Rumiko Takahashi’s career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan’s prestigious New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular in their own right. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another—Maison Ikkoku ran from 1980 to 1987, Ranma 1/2 from 1987 to 1996, and Inuyasha from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include Mermaid Saga, Rumic Theater, and One-Pound Gospel.

Takahashi was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame in 2018. She won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award twice in her career, once for Urusei Yatsura in 1981 and the second time for Inuyasha in 2002. A majority of the Takahashi canon has been adapted into other media such as anime, live-action TV series, and film. Takahashi’s manga, as well as the other formats her work has been adapted into, have continued to delight generations of fans around the world. Distinguished by her wonderfully endearing characters, Takahashi’s work adeptly incorporates a wide variety of elements such as comedy, romance, fantasy, and martial arts. While her series are difficult to pin down into one simple genre, the signature style she has created has come to be known as the “Rumic World.” Rumiko Takahashi is an artist who truly represents the very best from the world of manga.