 He started his career as a shōjo artist, but in 1958, his "Nama-chan" (ナマちゃん) became a hit, so he became a specialist in comic manga.He won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1964 for "Osomatsu-kun" and the Bungeishunjū Manga Award in 1971 for "Tensai Bakabon".He is said to have been influenced by Buster Keaton and "MAD" magazine.