Katsuhiro Otomo is one of the most influential creators in the world of comics and graphic novels. His most famous work, Akira, is considered a masterpiece of the medium, and has had a massive impact on both Eastern and Western popular culture. Otomo's other works are also highly respected, and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest comic book artists of all time. Otomo was born in 1954 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He first became interested in comics as a child, reading works by Osamu Tezuka and Shotaro Ishinomori. He began creating his own comics in high school, and after graduation he moved to Tokyo to pursue a career in the industry. Otomo's big break came in 1982 with the publication of his first major work, Akira. The story, set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, follows the lives of a group of young people with extraordinary powers. Akira was an instant hit, and has since been adapted into an anime film, two live-action films, and a video game. Since the publication of Akira, Otomo has continued to create comics and graphic novels that have earned him critical acclaim and a loyal following among fans of the medium. His most recent work, Omohide Poro Poro (2011), is a heartwarming tale about the power of memories. Otomo's work has been published in many countries around the world, and he has won numerous awards for his achievements in comics. In 2006, he was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame, cementing his place as one of the most important creators in the history of comics.