We are glad that you came to this page! Here is where you can read about the artists who create the wonderful books available from Manga University. 

ATSUHISA OKURA

When Atsuhisa Okura isn't drawing manga, he's growing vegetable.

Armed with a college degree in agriculture, he gained considerable fame as contestant on TV Tokyo's Terebi Champion (think "American Idol for gardeners"). Alas, he was the runner-up, and decided to turn his attention full-time to drawing comics. His stories have appeared in Business Jump and Shonen Magazine, and he is a past recipient of the "Kodansha" and "Shueisha" prizes for Best New Manga Artist.

"Moe USA" is his latest effort for Manga University, following "50 Things We Love About Japan".

GENSHI KAMOBAYASHI

Born in 1955, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kamobayashi has been a manga artist for most of his life. His career began in early 1970s as an assistant to the mangaka Sei Narushima - this became a connection that later afforded Kamobayashi the opportunity to work on several popular series, including "Macross," "Future Boy Conan", and "Ultraman".

He made his publishing debut in 1976 with "Niji ni Mutate" ("Towards the Rainbow"),  followed by "The Gorilla," a police-action manga he authored under the pen name Noboru Sakaoka.

More recently, he has focused on sports comics, including "Karate no Tamago" (Egg of Karate). He also draws "Magic", a karate-themed manga that appears in each issue of JKfFan Karate Magazine.

 

TAKARAI SISTERS

Saori Takarai (right) is the big sister. Like most big sisters, she gets a bit bossy at times. Especially during meetings with her publisher.

Misato Takarai (left with the cat doll) is Saori's little sister. But she's also the middle sister. Which means she's the one who usually gets blamed when Saori or Miho (the youngest sister) do something wrong.

The sisters grew up in Gunma Prefecture, about 60 miles northwest of Tokyo. They have worked on various books and goodies for Manga University, such as, "Manga Moods", "Manga Moods, Too", "Manga University's Manga Tarot" and "Manga Sisters".

CHIHIRO HATTORI

Hattori has been the featured artist in all nine volumes of the "Kana de Manga" series, and she also illustrated the first Manga University's Manga Cookbook. Hattori and her husband and their son live in Yokohama, where they enjoy fine food, fast cars and high fashion.

 

MIMEI SAKAMOTO

 

Sakamoto embarked on her manga career at the age of 24, and later established herself as a literary writer with her debut essay in Bangakukai Magazine in 2000. Today, her comic and literary works are regularly featured in leading Japanese publications, including Spa Magazine and The Sankei Shimbun, and she is a frequent guest commentator on Nippon Television's "Sukkiri" Talk Show.