Kazuo Koike was born on May 8, 1936 in Akita, Japan. He is the co-creator and writer of the Lone Wolf and Cub and Crying Freeman manga. He adapted the Lone Wolf and Cub manga into a series of six films which gained him recognition for his screenwriting. He started the Gekiga Sonjuku, a college course to assist talented writers and artists break into the comic book field. He also hosted television programs, founded a golf magazine, produced movies, and has written popular fiction, poetry, and screenplays. His work has earned him many awards including two Harvey Awards and an Eisner Award.