| Takehiko Inoue | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Inoue in Tokyo, 2024 | |
| Born | Takehiko Nariai 12 January 1967 Ōkuchi, Japan |
| Area(s) | Manga artist |
Notable works | Slam Dunk Vagabond Real |
| Awards | Tezuka Award (1988) Shogakukan Manga Award (1995) Kodansha Manga Award (2000) Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (2002) |
Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦, Inoue Takehiko, born 12 January 1967) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for the basketball series Slam Dunk (1990–1996), and the jidaigeki manga Vagabond, which are two of the best-selling manga series in history. Many of his works are about basketball, Inoue himself being a huge fan of the sport. His works sold in North America through Viz Media are Slam Dunk, Vagabond and Real, although Slam Dunk was earlier translated by Gutsoon! Entertainment. In 2012, Inoue became the first recipient of the Cultural Prize at the Asia Cosmopolitan Awards.