Takahashi was born on October 10, 1957, in Niigata, Japan. She attended Niigata Chuo High School and later Japan Women's University, where she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, a renowned artist and writer. Koike's influence on her work is significant, as he emphasized the importance of interesting characters in manga series. Takahashi took his lessons to heart, creating complex and multifaceted characters that often break stereotypes in manga.
Takahashi's first manga series was Urusei Yatsura, published in Weekly Shonen Sunday in 1978. The series follows an alien invasion of Earth and the efforts of a boy to catch an alien girl. It became a cultural phenomenon, lasting nine years and spawning a successful television series.
Her second major manga hit was Maison Ikkoku, published in Big Comic Spirits from 1980 to 1987. The series is a romantic comedy that follows a college student and his beautiful apartment manager, Mrs. Kyoko Otanashi, as they navigate their relationships with each other and a handsome tennis coach. Maison Ikkoku explores themes of love, responsibility, and maturity, as the main character, Godai, grows from a callow youth to a successful adult.
Takahashi's next major manga series was Ranma 1/2, which debuted in 1987. The series follows a martial artist who is betrothed to a tomboy martial artist and must navigate a complex web of relationships and martial arts. Ranma became an anime series in 1989 and lasted until 1992.
In 1996, Takahashi ended Ranma and began working on her fourth major manga series, Inuyasha. Set in medieval Japan, the series follows a modern schoolgirl who is transported back in time and must help a half-demon collect shards of the powerful Shikon jewel. Inuyasha has a darker tone than Takahashi's other works and features a purely evil villain, Naraku.
Throughout her career, Takahashi has consistently made the list of top ten Japanese tax payers from the manga community, indicating the significant royalties she receives for her work. Her fan base has expanded beyond Japan, with devoted followers in Europe, the United States, and many other Asian nations. Despite her success, Takahashi remains dedicated to her craft, continually creating new manga and meeting her deadlines.
