James Matthew Barrie, a Scottish author and dramatist born on May 9, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Angus, is the literary figure behind one of the most adapted characters in media history. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, he worked as a journalist before finding success with novels and plays, including his most famous work, Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. The character first appeared in the 1902 book The Little White Bird, with the subsequent play premiering in London in 1904 and the novelization Peter and Wendy published in 1911. Barrie passed away in London on June 19, 1937.

Within the Japanese animation and manga industries, Barrie is consistently credited as the original creator for a range of works that adapt his literary universe. His authorship is recognized in productions such as the 1989 television series Peter Pan no Bouken, where he is listed as the original work author. He is also credited as the original creator for episode twenty four of the original video animation series Video Ehon-kan Sekai no Meisaku Dōwa, which adapts the Peter Pan story. His influence extends into manga as well, with credits as the original creator for the manga series Kilala Princess, Kingdom Hearts, and Disney Fairies: Petite's Little Diary, all of which feature characters like Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

Barrie’s significance to these industries is not as a direct producer of anime but as the source of a foundational narrative that has been continuously reinterpreted in Japanese media. His original concept and characters serve as the basis for numerous productions, making him a recurring credited name in anime encyclopedias. His work has also inspired specific projects, such as the original video animation Hōkago no Tinker Bell, which lists Barrie’s creation as its inspiration. The enduring appeal of his themes, particularly the refusal to grow up and the exploration of Neverland, continues to be a rich source for adaptation and reimagining in the manga and anime format.