Legacy of 3 manga legends who transformed 'shojo' genre to be honored in Tokyo exhibit

TOKYO - In a landmark exhibition honoring the transformative legacy of three pioneering shojo manga artists, Moto Hagio, Ryoko Yamagishi, and Waki Yamato, art aficionados and manga enthusiasts alike will gather at The National Art Center in Tokyo this fall. These artists, who emerged in the late 1960s, revolutionized the shojo manga genre, which had long been considered exclusively for younger girls, by exploring diverse genres, themes, and storytelling techniques.

Moto Hagio, a trailblazer with a unique artistic vision, made her debut in 1969 with "Lulu and Mimi." Her works, characterized by sweeping science fiction, fantasy settings, sophisticated psychological portrayals, and literary depth, redefined the shojo manga landscape. Hagio's most renowned series, "The Poe Clan," serialized from 1972 to 1976, became a landmark in the genre's evolution and remains popular to this day.

She has fearlessly tackled emotional growth, inner conflict, life and death, and gender, creating works such as "The Heart of Thomas" and "A Cruel God Reigns," which have received numerous accolades, including the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize for Excellence.

Ryoko Yamagishi, another groundbreaking artist, began her career in 1969 with "Left and Right." Initially creating romantic comedies, she later expanded into horror, gender, and other themes. Yamagishi's ballet manga "Arabesque" (1971) became a major hit, and her masterpiece "Emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun" (1980-1984) reimagined Prince Shotoku as an enchanting, androgynous young man with supernatural powers.

For her exceptional contributions, Yamagishi received the Kodansha Manga Award and was inducted into the prestigious Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Hall of Fame in 2022.

Waki Yamato, a contemporary of Hagio and Yamagishi, debuted in 1966 with "Angel The Thief." Her signature work, "Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern" (1975-1977), is a romantic comedy set during Japan's post-war era. Yamato's unique style, which emphasizes independent women and richly imagined fantasy worlds, has captivated readers across generations.

She shares the project of establishing a cultural facility in her hometown of Sapporo with her longtime friend Ryoko Yamagishi, further cementing their collaborative legacy in the world of shojo manga.