Koyoharu Gotouge

Koyoharu Gotouge (born May 5, 1989) is a Japanese manga artist, known for the manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2016–2020). By February 2021, the manga had over 150 million copies in circulation (including digital copies), making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. Gotouge was included as "Phenoms" in Time's annual list of 100 Most Influential People, becoming the first manga artist to receive the achievement. Gotouge was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, on May 5, 1989. The author uses a pen name to maintain anonymity. In 2013, Gotouge debuted in the 70th Jump Treasure Newcomer Manga Awards with the one-shot work Kagarigari (過狩り狩り). Three more one-shots followed: Monju Shirō Kyōdai (文殊史郎兄弟), published in Jump Next! in 2014; Rokkotsu-san (肋骨さん), published in Weekly. Not much is known about the author, besides the fact that Gotouge uses a self-portrait of a crocodile wearing glasses to identify with the audience and prefers to keep himself private and a mystery. The author of the series uses a pen name and has chosen to maintain anonymity by not disclosing their gender. To represent themselves in public announcements related to the series, the author uses an avatar of an alligator wearing glasses, which has become their distinctive symbol.