Haruko Kumota is a Japanese manga artist and writer renowned for her work in the josei and BL (Boys' Love) genres. Born on September 4, 1981, Kumota began her career in the mid-2000s and gained prominence with titles like "Kurayami ni Strobe" and "Itoshi no Nekokke". She is best known for her manga "Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju", a critically acclaimed series that delves into the world of rakugo, traditional Japanese comedic storytelling. This series, which showcases her unique art style and storytelling abilities, won the Excellence Prize at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival and has been adapted into an anime. Throughout her career, Kumota has been praised for her insightful character development and her ability to weave complex emotional narratives.