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Yoshiko Nishitani | |
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Born | Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan | 2 October 1943
Nationality | Japanese |
Area(s) | Manga artist |
Notable works | Mary Lou |
Yoshiko Nishitani (西谷祥子, Nishitani Yoshiko, born 2 October 1943) is a Japanese manga artist pioneering in shōjo manga. She released her works in Shōjo Club and Margaret. [1] According to Rachel Thorn, Nishitani "more or less single-handedly invented the school campus romance that remains the mainstay of shôjo manga today", [2] and Robert Petersen regards her innovation as giving her characters personality. [3] She gave her readers characters that were like them, "teenaged Japanese girls dealing with friendships, family, school, and, yes, falling in love." [4] Her success inspired an influx of female manga artists. [5] Her manga Mary Lou is thought to have opened up the idea of shōjo manga telling stories about ordinary teenagers. [5] Nishitani's characteristics have been described as 'big eyes and huge reflections within' as well as a use of curly hair and frilly clothes, with an attention to detail when drawing that inspired later artists like Nanae Sasaya. [6]