Macoto Takahashi was born in Osaka on August 27, 1934. His first work as a manga artist, Slave Princess, was published in 1953 and showed his talent in illustration. The artist’s themes, which include ballet and princesses, along with his beautiful use of colors, have been adored by young girls and easily won him popularity. Many of Macoto’s works are centered on dress-up dolls and coloring books, and his heroines’ sparkly eyes, flowers, and ribbons have become the hallmarks of MACOTO’s Shojo, which took the world by storm. Meanwhile, his artwork is also found on a large range of items appealing to young girls: handkerchiefs, shoes, undergarments, handbags, stationery such as pencils and pencil cases, notebooks, and even bicycles.