Yuu Watase

[Twitter](https://twitter.com/wataseyuu_) | [Blog](https://ameblo.jp/wataseyuu)

Identifies as X-gender, a form of non-binary gender identity in Japan, but prefers feminine pronouns in English.

Watase started drawing manga at the age of five, and by the age of 17 she aspired to be a professional mangaka. She was bullied relentlessly from elementary school until high school, eventually culminating in a suicide attempt. These experiences were later used for scenes in Arata: The Legend. She credits her recovery to religion, as she is a member of Soka Gakkai, a Buddhist organization that promotes peace centered on respect for the dignity of life, and she often provide illustrations for the organization's newsletter.

In 1998, Watase won the 43rd (1997) Shogakukan Manga Award for Ayashi no Ceres.