Born in Tokyo, Tsugumi Ohba (大場 つぐみ, Ōba Tsugumi?) is a writer best known for the manga Death Note. Ohba's real identity (and gender) is a closely guarded secret. Some fans believe that Tsugumi Ohba is just a pen-name for Hiroshi Gamō. As stated by the profile placed at the beginning of each Death Note manga, Ohba collects teacups and develops manga plots while holding his knees on a chair, similar to a habit of L, one of the main characters of the series.
Works[]
Both of Ohba's works have been or are currently published in Weekly Shōnen Jump, illustrated by Takeshi Obata.
Death Note centers around a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing the victim's name and picturing his or her face. The plot follows his attempt to create and lead a world cleansed of evil using the notebook, and the complex conflict between himself and his antagonists.
Bakuman centers around two high school students who team up to try and create a successful manga so it can be made into an anime. The plot follows their dream to create manga and the complex relationship with them and people around them.
Speculation[]
Not much is known about Ohba except that he/she was born in Tokyo, collects tea cups and develops manga plots whilst holding his/her legs on a chair, similar to L from Death Note. Also, Ohba's gender and identity is kept a secret from the public and it is a fan rumour that Tsugumi Ohba is actually a pen-name for gag manga author, Hiroshi Gamou. However there is no evidence supporting this, with the only trace being from Death Note, where the protagonist, Light Yagami, attends school and a sign saying 'Gamou Seminar' can be seen. There are many stories in which the name 'Gamou' is mentioned shedding a fan-rumour light on it. Nevertheless, whatever Ohba's identity may be, he/she remains mysterious like many of Ohba-sensei's characters who go by aliases (e.g. L (L. Lawliet), Near (Nate River), Mello (Mihael Keehl), Matt (Mail Jeevas), SPK members, mafia members from Death Note.)