Higasa Akai is a manga artist and writer known for creating the series The Royal Tutor. Akai is credited as the original creator and illustrator of the series, which was serialized in Square Enix’s shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy from November 2013 to May 2021. The manga is published in English by Yen Press, with translation work by Amanda Haley and lettering by Abigail Blackman.

The Royal Tutor, originally titled Ōshitsu Kyōshi Haine, follows Heine Wittgenstein, a commoner and a tutor of small stature, who is summoned to the Kingdom of Granzreich to educate the four young princes. The series blends comedy with character-driven storytelling, focusing on the princes’ distinct personalities and their growth under Heine’s guidance. Akai’s work on the manga led to a 12-episode anime adaptation that aired in Japan in the Spring of 2017. The anime was directed by Katuya Kikuchi and featured music by Keiji Inai, with Funimation distributing the series on home video.

Beyond The Royal Tutor, Akai has contributed to several anthology works. These include illustrations for Are You Alice? Anthology and Alice in Wonderland Anthology in 2012, as well as a story in the Durarara!! Comic Anthology - Duralove!! in 2010. Earlier published works consist of the series Sougiya Riddle and a one-shot titled Cucumber x Sandwich from around 2008 to 2009.