Yoshiko Nishitani
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Yoshiko Nishitani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 October 1943 Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Area | 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]
