Gengoroh Tagame (田亀 源五郎, Tagame Gengorō, born February 3, 1964) is a pseudonymous Japanese manga artist and art historian. He is one of the most influential creators of gay manga, noted for his works depicting graphic themes of sadomasochism, sexual violence, and hypermasculinity. His later work includes the all-ages manga series My Brother’s Husband and Our Colors.
Tagame was born on February 3, 1964[1] into a family descended from samurai.[2] He studied graphic design at Tama Art University, and after graduating in 1982, worked as a commercial art director. On a trip to Europe, Tagame discovered the American leather magazine Drummer. The magazine, which featured drawings by Bill Ward, would make strong impression on Tagame’s art.[3] He began publishing erotica under the pen name Gengoroh Tagame in 1986, and since 1994 he has lived off the profits of his art and writings.[1] Tagame’s works have been published in several Japanese gay magazines, including Sabu,[1] G-men and SM-Z.[4]