The author of "Fruits Basket," a popular manga series that received recognition with the Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shōjo Manga in 2001, is Natsuki Takaya. Her real name remains unknown as she uses the pen name "Natsuki Takaya." She has been left-handed since childhood and had a desire to become an artist from a young age, inspired by her sister's drawing. Her professional debut was with "Born Free," published in Hana to Yume Planet Zōkan magazine on September 1st, 1992. Since then, she has consistently contributed works to Hana to Yume magazine.