Takehiko Inoue is the creator of one of the most popular manga of all time, Slam Dunk , which sold over 170 million copies worldwide and played a pivotal role in increasing the popularity of basketball in Japan. He followed up with two series lauded by critics and fans alike-- Vagabond , a fictional account of the life of Miyamoto Musashi, and Real , a manga about wheelchair basketball. Inoue is the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Tezuka Osamu Culture Award and the Media Art Festival Award. In addition to his work on manga, Inoue has worked with television commercials, character designs for video games, and is the founder of a scholarship to foster Japanese basketball talent.