Iou Kuroda is the pen name of a Japanese manga artist born on January 5, 1971, in Sapporo, Hokkaido. His early life included several moves during his youth, and he is one of two twins. He later graduated from Hitotsubashi University. The pen name, which in Japanese order is Kuroda Iō, is a combination of his family name and the name of a toy robot, Mars King (Kasei Daiō).

Kuroda is the creator of several notable manga works, many of which have been adapted into other media. One of his most significant series is Nasu, a collection of stories centered around the sport of cycling, which was published in three volumes from 2000 to 2002. A chapter from this manga, Summer in Andalusia, was adapted into the 2003 anime film Nasu: Summer in Andalusia, directed by Kitarō Kōsaka. This film became the first Japanese anime to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival. A sequel, Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase, also based on Kuroda's work, was later produced and won the Best Original Video Animation award at the Tokyo International Anime Fair in 2008.

Another prominent work is the manga Sexy Voice and Robo, which earned Kuroda the Excellence Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2002. This manga was subsequently adapted into a Japanese television drama that aired in 2007. Other manga by Kuroda include Dai-Nippon Tengu-tō Ekotoba, Kurofune, Daiō, Eiga ni Ke ga Sanbon!, and Atarashii Asa.

Kuroda's artistic style and thematic choices are distinctive. His works are recognized for dynamic plot developments and a strong sense of rhythm. Recurring motifs in his manga include elephants, cameras, bicycles, ships, robots, and cooking, which appear alongside narratives that blend everyday life with extraordinary elements. His drawings have been described as having a unique appeal, with a style that is both loose and sensitive.

Kuroda's significance in the industry is marked by his critical acclaim and the successful adaptations of his original works. His manga Nasu was brought to the attention of the animation world by Hayao Miyazaki, a fan of cycling, leading to its historic anime adaptation. With his award-winning body of work and his influence on both manga and anime, Iou Kuroda stands as a distinctive and respected creator.