Kotono Katō is a Japanese manga artist and writer, primarily known as the sole creator behind the long-running historical fantasy series Altair: A Record of Battles. Katō is credited as both the writer and illustrator of the series, which was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Sirius magazine from July 2007 to November 2023. The series was collected into 27 tankōbon volumes, with the first released in April 2008 and the final volume published in April 2024. For this work, Katō is also recognized as the original creator of the 2017 anime television adaptation produced by the studio MAPPA, which aired for 24 episodes.

Beyond the main series, Katō's creation has expanded into several related media. The series inspired an official fan book and multiple art books, including a collection released in October 2017 to commemorate a decade of serialization. The success of Altair: A Record of Battles also led to the production of spin-off manga series, one of which, Shōkoku no Altair Gaiden: Tōkoku no Subaru, was illustrated by Katō's sister, Chika Katō. In 2017, the same year the anime adaptation premiered, Kotono Katō received significant industry recognition when Altair: A Record of Battles won the shōnen category at the 41st annual Kodansha Manga Awards.

Set in a fictional world inspired by the Ottoman Empire, the story follows a young and talented military officer, Tuğril Mahmut, as he navigates political conspiracies and strives to protect his nation from the expansionist Balt-Rhein Empire. Katō's work is characterized by its detailed depiction of military strategy, political intrigue, and a nuanced approach to conflict and diplomacy. As the author and artist of a single, defining manga series that ran for over sixteen years, Kotono Katō is established as a significant figure in the shōnen manga genre, with a notable achievement in world-building and long-form serialized storytelling.