Taiyou Matsumoto is a Tokyo-based mangaka who initially dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player before pivoting to art. He made his professional debut in Kodansha's Afternoon magazine, though he's become far more associated with Shogakukan, Kodansha's main rival in the publishing world.

What sets Matsumoto apart is his wildly unconventional, often surrealist visual style—the kind of work that gets critics excited. His manga have translated well to other media: both Ping Pong and Blue Spring became live-action films, while Studio 4°C's 2006 animated adaptation of Tekkonkinkreet remains a standout example of manga adaptation done right. Ping Pong got another shot at animation in 2014 courtesy of Tatsunoko Production, with Masaaki Yuasa directing.

In 2007, Matsumoto won an Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival for the artwork in Takemitsu Zamurai. He's also the cousin of Santa Inoue, who's carved out his own reputation as a critically acclaimed mangaka.

His wife, Saho Tono, is a mangaka herself and actively works alongside him on his projects, handling inking, coloring, and offering editorial input.