Yukinobu Tatsu is a Japanese manga artist born in Saitama Prefecture around 1990. He demonstrated a talent for drawing from a young age, yet did not initially set out to become a manga artist, spending much of his youth playing baseball. His early artistic influences included the works of Kentaro Miura, particularly Berserk, as well as Ryōji Minagawa’s Project ARMS and Spriggan, and Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira, all of which he discovered during junior high school.

After struggling to find employment during Japan’s employment ice age, Tatsu worked at a convenience store where his manager, noticing his drawings, encouraged him to pursue manga professionally. He created a Gundam-themed manuscript that, despite receiving critical feedback, led to an opportunity to work as an assistant. He spent approximately three years as an assistant, learning the fundamentals of the craft. In 2010, he made his serialization debut with Seigi no Rokugō in Monthly Shōnen Magazine, followed by Fire Ball! in the same publication from 2013 to 2014.

Following a period where he struggled to get new series approved, Tatsu became an assistant to Tatsuki Fujimoto during the serialization of Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man, and also worked with Yuji Kaku on Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku. His editor, Shihei Lin, played a significant role in his career during this time. The concept for his breakthrough work, Dandadan, was inspired by the film Sadako vs. Kayako, specifically the idea of fighting monsters with monsters. This led to the central premise of characters using supernatural forces to combat both ghosts and aliens.

In April 2021, Tatsu began serializing Dandadan on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ platform. The series quickly gained popularity, setting records for viewership on the platform and becoming a flagship title. It has received numerous accolades, including the 71st Shogakukan Manga Award.

An anime television series adaptation of Dandadan, produced by Science Saru, premiered in October 2024. The series was well-received for its animation and direction, with a second season scheduled for release.

Tatsu’s artistic identity is defined by a focus on realism and meticulous detail. He has stated the importance of ensuring that backgrounds and props do not appear fake, as even a single false element can diminish the reality of the work. He cites Toru Narita, known for his work on Ultraman, as an influence on his monster and alien designs. His creative philosophy centers on the belief that horror and comedy are complementary, aiming to emphasize the humorous aspects within terrifying situations. He also places great value on the use of double-page spreads and prefers using G-pens to achieve the desired line variation.