The creator known as Rico is the illustrator behind the chubby panda character Panda no Tapu Tapu. This character originally appeared on New Year's cards that Rico began drawing seven years prior to 2012. The character design features a round panda alongside twelve animal friends representing the Chinese zodiac. In 2012, the Japanese production company Kachidoki Studio announced it would produce a series of anime shorts inspired by Rico's character. The Panda no Tapu Tapu anime premiered on April 2, 2012, airing as short episodes during the Asanama Wide Ce Matin and Hapi Hapi Morning news programs on Yomiuri TV.

Beyond this mainstream character work, Rico is also known as a manga artist who primarily creates romantic comedies and adult manga. The artist presides over a doujin circle called Rico-ba and has been active since the 2000s, publishing works in the erotic manga magazine Manga Bangaichi. Several tankoubon volumes have been released under Core Magazine's Hot Milk Comics imprint, with titles including Amaai Koishiyo from 2008, Sukisuki kiss from 2010, and Chiisana kanojo no mesuitchi from 2019. Rico has also created all-ages manga, including Meiden Garden serialized in Dengeki Moeoh and Dai Toshokan no Hitsuji Kai serialized in Dengeki HIME. Multiple individuals share the name Rico in the entertainment industry, including a singer and other manga creators, but the artist responsible for Panda no Tapu Tapu is specifically documented as an illustrator and manga author working across both mainstream character design and adult-oriented romantic manga.