Etsushi Ogawa is a Japanese manga writer and illustrator recognized as the original creator behind the Cooking Master Boy franchise, which includes the anime True Cooking Master Boy. Born on February 23, 1969, in Niigata Prefecture, he graduated from Keio University with a degree in economics. His interest in Chinese culture, sparked by watching the film Shaolin Temple, and a passion for Chinese cuisine became foundational influences on his artistic career.

Ogawa began his professional debut in 1995 with the serialization of Chūka Ichiban! in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine. The series, set in 19th-century China during the Qing dynasty, follows a young chef named Liu Mao Xing on his journey to master culinary arts and confront the sinister Underground Cooking Society. The manga’s title was later changed to Shin Chūka Ichiban! during its original run, which concluded in 1999. The complete work was compiled into seventeen tankōbon volumes.

The enduring popularity of the original manga led to multiple anime adaptations. The first, a fifty-two-episode television series by Nippon Animation, aired from 1997 to 1998. Decades later, a remake titled True Cooking Master Boy was produced, with a first season airing in 2019 and a second season following in 2021. This new adaptation was animated by Production I.G. In November 2017, Ogawa launched a direct sequel to the original story, titled Chūka Ichiban! Kiwami, which is serialized in Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app.

Beyond his most famous work, Ogawa’s bibliography consistently reflects his interest in culinary themes. His other notable series include Food Hunter Futaraiden, also set in 19th-century China, and the children’s manga Tenshi no Frypan (Angel’s Frying Pan), which won the Kodansha Manga Award in the children’s category in 2007. His body of work also includes Jipangu Hououden, Bakumatsu Futaraiden, and Astraia no Tenbin.

Ogawa’s significance in the industry lies in his contribution to the gourmet genre in manga and anime. His works are characterized by a focus on cooking competitions, detailed depictions of Chinese cuisine, and a recurring theme of using culinary skill to overcome adversity. The sustained success of the Cooking Master Boy franchise, spanning over two decades with new sequels and adaptations, underscores his lasting impact as a creator.