Kōji Gushiken (具志堅 幸司, Gushiken Kōji) (born November 12, 1956, in Ōsaka) is an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984…
Kōji Gushiken (具志堅 幸司, Gushiken Kōji) (born November 12, 1956, in Ōsaka) is an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won a total number of five medals, including two gold. He broke an ankle in May 1985 which prevented him from training for 3 months and hindered his performances at the 1985 World Championships. Gushiken announced his retirement at the 1985 Chūnichi Cup. He currently coaches other Olympic contenders, including two-time Olympic individual all-around gold medallist Kōhei Uchimura.
Famous People from Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture: 1,355 people
Joji Tani (Japanese: 谷譲治, Hepburn: Tani Jōji), known as Screaming Mad George (October 7, 1956 – February 10, 2026), was…
Joji Tani (Japanese: 谷譲治, Hepburn: Tani Jōji), known as Screaming Mad George (October 7, 1956 – February 10, 2026), was a Japanese special effects artist, film director and musician. He was born in Osaka, Japan, and emigrated to the United States, where he became known for his surreal, grotesque and gory special effects. He collaborated with director and producer Brian Yuzna on many films.
Takeshi Okada (岡田 武史, Okada Takeshi; born August 25, 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played…
Takeshi Okada (岡田 武史, Okada Takeshi; born August 25, 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently the owner of FC Imabari.
Midori Matsushima (Japanese: 松島 みどり, Hepburn: Matsushima Midori; born 15 July 1956) also known by her legal name Midori…
Midori Matsushima (Japanese: 松島 みどり, Hepburn: Matsushima Midori; born 15 July 1956) also known by her legal name Midori Baba (馬場 みどり, Baba Midori) is a Japanese politician. She served as Japan's Minister of Justice in 2014, later resigning in the same year after an allegation of violating electoral laws by distributing paper fans to voters.
Satoshi Kinsui (金水 敏, Kinsui Satoshi; born (1956-04-29)29 April 1956) is a Japanese linguist who is currently a…
Satoshi Kinsui (金水 敏, Kinsui Satoshi; born (1956-04-29)29 April 1956) is a Japanese linguist who is currently a professor at Osaka University.
Hiroshi Nakatsuka (中司 宏, Nakatsuka Hiroshi; born 11 March 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation Party…
Hiroshi Nakatsuka (中司 宏, Nakatsuka Hiroshi; born 11 March 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation Party, who serves as the Minister of State for Regulatory Reform since September 2026. He has also served a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. He is the first member of his party to enter the cabinet of the government.
Shin-Ichi Fukuda (福田 進一, Fukuda Shin'ichi; born in Osaka, Japan on December 25, 1955) is a Japanese classical…
Shin-Ichi Fukuda (福田 進一, Fukuda Shin'ichi; born in Osaka, Japan on December 25, 1955) is a Japanese classical guitarist. He has released more than 60 albums, including in Memoriam: Takemitsu: Guitar Works, his interpretation of works by the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. Shin-ichi Fukuda Official Website
Miyuki Kawanaka (川中 美幸, Kawanaka Miyuki; December 5, 1955) is a Japanese enka singer. Her singing career spanned over…
Miyuki Kawanaka (川中 美幸, Kawanaka Miyuki; December 5, 1955) is a Japanese enka singer. Her singing career spanned over four decades. She married Katsuo Yamada in 1991.
Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井…
Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井, Rasāru Ishii), is a Japanese TV personality, actor, director, writer, columnist, and politician. He named himself after his high school Japanese La Salle Academy. His best-known anime role is Kankichi Ryotsu the lead character in Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo which ran from 1999 to 2004 for 373 episodes. In 2025, he ran in the House of Councillors election in the proportional representation district as a member of the Social Democratic Party, winning a seat. On September 24 the same year, the managerial committee of SDP announced it approved his inauguration as its Vice-Chairman.
Atsuko Tokuda (徳田 敦子, Tokuda Atsuko; born 15 September 1955) is a retired badminton player of Japan who won Japanese…
Atsuko Tokuda (徳田 敦子, Tokuda Atsuko; born 15 September 1955) is a retired badminton player of Japan who won Japanese national and international titles in the late 1970s and the 1980s. Her international victories included the All-England women's doubles with Mikiko Takada in 1978 and the Danish Open women's doubles in 1978 and 1987 with Takada and Yoshiko Yonekura Tago respectively. Though most of Tokuda's international success came in doubles, she won the Japanese national singles title in 1978. She earned a bronze medal at the 1980 IBF World Championships in women's doubles with Yonekura. Tokuda helped Japan win world team titles in the Uber Cup competitions of 1978 and 1981 with a strong winning record in her individual matches. Tokuda and Takada were the first ever women's doubles world number ones in the first IBF world rankings released in 1978.
Nobuhiro Kiyotaki FBA (清滝 信宏, Kiyotaki Nobuhiro) (born June 24, 1955) is a Japanese economist and the Harold H. Helms…
Nobuhiro Kiyotaki FBA (清滝 信宏, Kiyotaki Nobuhiro) (born June 24, 1955) is a Japanese economist and the Harold H. Helms '20 Professor of Economics and Banking at Princeton University. He is especially known for proposing several models that provide deeper microeconomic foundations for macroeconomics, some of which play a prominent role in New Keynesian macroeconomics.
Yūko Tanaka (田中 裕子, Tanaka Yūko; born April 29, 1955) is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She has won…
Yūko Tanaka (田中 裕子, Tanaka Yūko; born April 29, 1955) is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She has won several acting awards during a long career working in both film and television, after she graduated from Meiji University.
Takayoshi Yamano (山野 孝義, Yamano Takayoshi; born April 5, 1955) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…
Takayoshi Yamano (山野 孝義, Yamano Takayoshi; born April 5, 1955) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Jiro Watanabe (渡辺二郎, Watanabe Jirō; born 16 March 1955) is a Japanese former boxer. Watanabe, who fought only in Japan…
Jiro Watanabe (渡辺二郎, Watanabe Jirō; born 16 March 1955) is a Japanese former boxer. Watanabe, who fought only in Japan and South Korea, was one of the first World super flyweight champions, as the division was relatively new when he was crowned.
Atsuko Seta (瀬田 敦子, Seta Atsuko) (born March 4, 1955) is a Japanese classical pianist. She is particularly successful…
Atsuko Seta (瀬田 敦子, Seta Atsuko) (born March 4, 1955) is a Japanese classical pianist. She is particularly successful in Poland, especially in the southwest of the country, regularly performing with the Sudecka Philharmonic orchestra in Wałbrzych and in her native Japan and in Bulgaria. Seta is living in Poland as an Honorable Citizen of Szczawno-Zdroj city. Artistic Director of Chiangmai Ginastera International Music Festival. Honorary Professor of Payap University Thailand. Honorary Chairman of Japan Ginastera Association.
Masao Yoshida (吉田 昌郎, Yoshida Masao; 17 February 1955 – 9 July 2013) was a nuclear engineer who served as plant manager…
Masao Yoshida (吉田 昌郎, Yoshida Masao; 17 February 1955 – 9 July 2013) was a nuclear engineer who served as plant manager of the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant during the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi; born 28 November 1954) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 5th…
Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi; born 28 November 1954) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 5th Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces from 2014 to 2019 — the longest tenure of anyone who has held that specific post since its creation. Prior to his appointment, he was Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Japan's maritime military service.
Kiyoko Nomura (17 November 1954 – 17 February 2016) was a Japanese former professional tennis player. Nomura, a…
Kiyoko Nomura (17 November 1954 – 17 February 2016) was a Japanese former professional tennis player. Nomura, a multiple medalist at the 1978 Asian Games, represented the Japan Federation Cup team from 1978 to 1981. She was the singles winner at the All Japan Championships in 1979 and 1981, as well as a five-time national champion in doubles. While competing on the international tour she featured in the main draw of the Australian Open.
Yoshimi Yoshida (吉田 芳美, Yoshida Yoshimi; born September 26, 1954), better known as Yoshimi Tendo (天童 よしみ, Tendō…
Yoshimi Yoshida (吉田 芳美, Yoshida Yoshimi; born September 26, 1954), better known as Yoshimi Tendo (天童 よしみ, Tendō Yoshimi), is a Japanese enka singer. She made her debut in 1970, but only began to be recognised in 1985, after changing record company, releasing her hit single (道頓堀人情), which went on to sell over half a million copies. She made her first NHK Red and White Song Festival performance in 1993, but was not selected to perform again until 1996, the year she released her biggest hit (珍島物語) and won the best singing award, establishing herself as one of the best female enka singers. And from 1996 onwards, Yoshimi has performed for 21 years consecutively in the prestigious year-end show.
Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional…
Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional Baseball player. He was raised in Osaka. After playing, Tao managed the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. In his one year as manager, the Eagles finished in last in the PL and was the first PL team in 40 years to lose over 90 games in a single season.
Teru Fukui (福井 照, Fukui Teru; born 14 December 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member…
Teru Fukui (福井 照, Fukui Teru; born 14 December 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Chieno Shibata (柴田 智恵野, Shibata Chieno; born 30 November 1953) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed at the 1968…
Chieno Shibata (柴田 智恵野, Shibata Chieno; born 30 November 1953) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Yasunori Imamura (今村 泰典, Imamura Yasunori; born 19 October 1953 in Sakai, Osaka) is a Japanese lutenist. Imamura has…
Yasunori Imamura (今村 泰典, Imamura Yasunori; born 19 October 1953 in Sakai, Osaka) is a Japanese lutenist. Imamura has appeared on more than 150 CDs, both as a soloist and as a member of ensembles. His solo recordings include the complete lute works by Johann Sebastian Bach (two versions : for Naxos in 2018 and for Etcetera in 1991), three volumes of lute sonatas by Silvius Leopold Weiss (for Claves and Capriccio), pièces pour théorbe by Robert de Visée, Spanish music for vihuela from the time of Charles V (Querstand) and the complete lute fantasies by Simone Molinario (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi). His teachers included lute with Eugen Müller-Dombois and Hopkinson Smith at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, where, in 1981, he received his soloist's diploma. In addition, he studied interpretation and basso continuo with Ton Koopman and Johann Sonnleitner and composition with Wolfgang Neininger. Imamura has collaborated with such artists as Cecilia Bartoli, Teresa Berganza, Gérard Lesne, Marc Minkowski, Michael Schneider, Martin Gester, Maurice Steger, Masaaki Suzuki, Alan Curtis and Paul Goodwin. Mr. Imamura is a member of La Stagione Frankfurt, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Camerata Köln, Le Parlement de Musique and Il Complesso Barocco. Imamura created the ensemble "Fons Musicae" in 1997. They have released five recordings - "Airs de cour" (Michel Lambert), and recording dedicated exclusively to works by Giovanni Bononcini, Agostino Steffani, Antonio Caldara, Francesco Gasparini and Barbara Strozzi. These recordings have received awards including "Classica" (France) and "Star of the Month" (Germany). Imamura teaches lute at the Conservatoire National de Région, Strasbourg since 1984. In 1989, he began teaching at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. He gives master-classes in Europe and throughout the Far East.
Yoshikazu Cho (長 義和, Chō Yoshikazu; born 3 October 1953) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed at the 1972 Summer…
Yoshikazu Cho (長 義和, Chō Yoshikazu; born 3 October 1953) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics and 1976 Summer Olympics.
Toshio Maeda (前田俊夫, Maeda Toshio; born September 17, 1953) is an erotic manga artist who was prolific in the 1980s and…
Toshio Maeda (前田俊夫, Maeda Toshio; born September 17, 1953) is an erotic manga artist who was prolific in the 1980s and '90s. Several of Maeda's works have been used as a basis for original video animations (OVA) including La Blue Girl, Adventure Kid, Demon Beast Invasion, Demon Warrior Koji and his most notorious work, Urotsukidōji (Legend of the Overfiend). An interviewer commented that Urotsukidōji "firmly placed him in the history books—in Japan and abroad—as the pioneer of the genre known as hentai, or "perverted".
Akira Nishimura (西村 朗, Nishimura Akira; 8 September 1953 – 7 September 2023) was a Japanese composer from Osaka.
Yūki Mizuhara (水原ゆう紀) is a Japanese actress from Minoh, Osaka. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Yokohama…
Yūki Mizuhara (水原ゆう紀) is a Japanese actress from Minoh, Osaka. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Yokohama Film Festival for the Nikkatsu Roman Porno film Angel Guts: Red Classroom. She also appeared in Nikkatsu's 1982 production Red Scandal: Affair, a "thinly-veiled replica of Luis Buñuel's Belle de Jour."
Miho Matsuoka (松岡 美保, Matsuoka Miho; born 11 July 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…
Miho Matsuoka (松岡 美保, Matsuoka Miho; born 11 July 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Yoshimi Nishigawa (西側よしみ, born April 8, 1953) is a retired Japanese swimmer who won ten gold medals at the Asian Games…
Yoshimi Nishigawa (西側よしみ, born April 8, 1953) is a retired Japanese swimmer who won ten gold medals at the Asian Games in 1970 and 1974. A versatile swimmer, she competed at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympics in three events at each games and reached the final on five occasions. She married the Olympic rower Takashi Murayama.
Kazuo Kitagawa (北側 一雄, Kitagawa Kazuo; born 2 March 1953) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Minister…
Kazuo Kitagawa (北側 一雄, Kitagawa Kazuo; born 2 March 1953) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi.
Shizuo Akira (審良 静男, Akira Shizuo) (born January 27, 1953, in Higashiōsaka) is a professor at the Department of Host…
Shizuo Akira (審良 静男, Akira Shizuo) (born January 27, 1953, in Higashiōsaka) is a professor at the Department of Host Defense, Osaka University, Japan. He has made ground-breaking discoveries in the field of immunology, most significantly in the area of innate host defense mechanisms.
Yusuke Nakamura (中村 祐輔, Nakamura Yūsuke; born 8 December 1952) is a Japanese geneticist and cancer researcher best…
Yusuke Nakamura (中村 祐輔, Nakamura Yūsuke; born 8 December 1952) is a Japanese geneticist and cancer researcher best known for developing Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). He is one of the world's pioneers in applying genetic variations (Variable Number Tandem Repeat (VNTR) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers) and whole genome sequencing, leading the research field of personalized medicine.
Minoru Tatsukawa (達川実, Tatsukawa Minoru; born August 16, 1952 in Osaka) is a volleyball coach from Japan. Currentry he…
Minoru Tatsukawa (達川実, Tatsukawa Minoru; born August 16, 1952 in Osaka) is a volleyball coach from Japan. Currentry he serves as head coach of Denso Airybees.
Haruzo Hida (肥田 晴三 Hida Haruzo, born 6 August 1952, Sakai, Osaka) is a Japanese mathematician, known for his research…
Haruzo Hida (肥田 晴三 Hida Haruzo, born 6 August 1952, Sakai, Osaka) is a Japanese mathematician, known for his research in number theory, algebraic geometry, and modular forms. Hida received from Kyoto University a B.A. in 1975, an M.A. in 1977, and a Ph.D. in 1980 with thesis On Abelian Varieties with Complex Multiplication as Factors of the Jacobians of Shimura Curves, although he left Kyoto University in 1977. He was from 1977 to 1984 an assistant professor and from 1984 to 1987 an associate professor at Hokkaidō University. Since 1987 he has been a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. From 1979 to 1981 he was a visiting scholar at the Institute for Advanced Study. Hida was an invited speaker at the International Congress of Mathematicians (Berkeley) in 1986. In 1991 he was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship. Hida received in 1992 for his research on p-adic L-functions of algebraic groups and p-adic Hecke rings the Spring Prize of the Mathematical Society of Japan. In 2012 he was elected a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. He received the 2019 Leroy P. Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research for his highly original paper "Galois representations into GL2( Z {\displaystyle \mathbb {Z} } p[[X]]) attached to ordinary cusp forms," published in 1986 in Inventiones Mathematicae.
Noboru Rokuda (六田登, Rokuda Noboru; born July 23, 1952 in Yao, Osaka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He…
Noboru Rokuda (六田登, Rokuda Noboru; born July 23, 1952 in Yao, Osaka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He made his professional debut in 1978 with Saigo Test, for which he won the Shogakukan New Artist Award. He won the 1991 Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga for F.
Hiromasa Arai (新井 宏昌, Arai Hiromasa; born April 26, 1952) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Eigo Kawashima (河島英五, Kawashima Eigo; 23 April 1952 – 16 April 2001) was a Japanese singer-songwriter.
Kazuki Ōmori (大森 一樹, Ōmori Kazuki; 3 March 1952 – 12 November 2022) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter.
Miyako Yamaguchi (山口美也子) (born February 3, 1952) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting actress…
Miyako Yamaguchi (山口美也子) (born February 3, 1952) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 7th Hochi Film Award for Farewell to the Land.
Mariko Okamoto (岡本 眞理子, Okamoto Mariko) (born 28 December 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion.…
Mariko Okamoto (岡本 眞理子, Okamoto Mariko) (born 28 December 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Okamoto was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Koji Yamamoto (山本 功児, Yamamoto Koji; December 25, 1951 – April 23, 2016) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…
Koji Yamamoto (山本 功児, Yamamoto Koji; December 25, 1951 – April 23, 2016) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a…
Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a Japanese rakugo comedian and actor.
Toru Matsuoka (松岡 徹, Matsuoka Tōru; born November 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…
Toru Matsuoka (松岡 徹, Matsuoka Tōru; born November 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka, Osaka and high school graduate, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the assembly of Osaka Prefecture for three terms since 1991.
Tomokatsu Kitagawa (北川 知克, Kitagawa Tomokatsu; 8 November 1951 – 26 December 2018) was a Japanese politician from the…
Tomokatsu Kitagawa (北川 知克, Kitagawa Tomokatsu; 8 November 1951 – 26 December 2018) was a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party, and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Satoshi Kawata (河田 聡, Kawata Satoshi; born 1 October 1951), is a scientist based in Japan who is active in…
Satoshi Kawata (河田 聡, Kawata Satoshi; born 1 October 1951), is a scientist based in Japan who is active in nanotechnology, photonics, plasmonics, and other areas of applied physics. He is a Professor of Department of Applied Physics at Osaka University. He is also a Chief Scientist at RIKEN. Kawata was the 2022 president of Optica.
Nozomu Sahashi (猿橋 望, Sahashi Nozomu; born September 12, 1951); previously Saruhashi) is the founder of the now-defunct…
Nozomu Sahashi (猿橋 望, Sahashi Nozomu; born September 12, 1951); previously Saruhashi) is the founder of the now-defunct Nova Corporation, previously the major eikaiwa (private school for conversational English) provider in Japan. After graduating from high school, Sahashi went to Paris to attend university and majored in physics although it took him five years to complete a two-year course. The award status of his degree is unknown.
Yasumasa Morimura (森村 泰昌, Morimura Yasumasa, born June 11, 1951) is a contemporary Japanese performance and…
Yasumasa Morimura (森村 泰昌, Morimura Yasumasa, born June 11, 1951) is a contemporary Japanese performance and appropriation artist whose work encompasses photography, film, and live performance. He is known for his reinterpretation of recognizable artworks and figures from art history, history, and mass media through his adoption of personas that transcend national, ethnic, gendered, and racial boundaries. Across his photographic and performative series, Morimura's works explore a number of interconnected themes, including: the nature of identity and its ability to undergo change, postcolonialism, authorship, and the Western view of Japan – and Asia, more broadly – as feminine. Originally intent on channeling his creative energy into black-and-white still life photography, Morimura struggled to ascertain his identity and decided to visualize this inner struggle through self-portraiture. In 1985, Portrait (Van Gogh), marked the first of dozens of self-portraits Morimura completed in which he adopted the role of established artists, major historical figures, celebrated popular culture icons, and identifiable subjects from well-known artworks. Since the 1980s, Morimura's artistic process entails a rigorous system in which he transforms his entire body into a nearly identical replica of his designated subject through elaborate costumes, makeup, props, and set designs. Once digital photography and computer editing software became more accessible and refined in the late-1990s, Morimura's works demonstrate greater visual complexity in his manipulation of composition, lighting, and the number of figures he portrays within a single artwork. For the last two and a half decades, Morimura has brought his personas to life in short video, film, and live performances in which he expresses their thoughts through movement and scripted monologues.
Shoichi Yanagimoto (柳本 晶一, Yanagimoto Shōichi; born 5 June 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the…
Shoichi Yanagimoto (柳本 晶一, Yanagimoto Shōichi; born 5 June 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He announced retirement in 1991.
Kaoru Shintani (新谷 かおる, Shintani Kaoru; born April 26, 1951 in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist.…
Kaoru Shintani (新谷 かおる, Shintani Kaoru; born April 26, 1951 in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. Shintani is best known for his series Area 88. In addition to his pilot comics, Shintani has ventured into science fiction, fantasy, comedy, and hentai comics as well. In 1985, he was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen for Area 88 and Futari Daka. Shintani began his career in 1972 as a shōjo artist and was nominated for the Ribon Comics Award for best new artist of that year. After working as an assistant to Leiji Matsumoto, the creator of Space Pirate Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 and the creative director for Space Battleship Yamato, Shintani began to publish aviator titles in various comic magazines. Serialization of Area 88 began in 1979 and the title has been popular ever since. While working as an assistant to Matsumoto, one of Shintani's duties was to construct plastic models for drawing reference. Matsumoto often states that he based the character Yattaran (who appears as a supporting character in several Harlock stories) on Shintani.
Suzue Miuchi (美内 すずえ, Miuchi Suzue; born February 20, 1951) is a Japanese manga artist and author of long-running shōjo…
Suzue Miuchi (美内 すずえ, Miuchi Suzue; born February 20, 1951) is a Japanese manga artist and author of long-running shōjo manga Glass Mask.