As the boundaries between different manga readerships blur, female creators still face challenges in the manga industry, particularly in the shōnen genre. Fortunately, several female authors have shattered stereotypes and emerged as pioneers within the field. This article pays tribute to their accomplishments.
#1 Rumiko Takahashi
Beloved by fans of “Club Dorothée,” the legendary Rumiko Takahashi has authored numerous acclaimed mangas. Her most famous works include Urusei Yatsura, adapted into an animated series by Mamoru Oshii under the title Lamu, Ranma 1/2, and Maison Ikkoku, known in English as It’s Time to Love You. While Rumiko is best known for her whimsical romantic comedies, both Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2 fall into the shōnen category. Maison Ikkoku is a seinen work that blends elements of romantic comedy, social comedy, and drama. Her career doesn’t end there; she is also the creator of the shōnen series Inu-Yasha and Mao. Recently, it was announced that Mao will be adapted into an animated series by Studio Sunrise, set to release in Spring 2026, with the first trailer already available!
#2 Hiromu Arakawa
Hiromu Arakawa, who chose to adopt a masculine version of her name (her real name is Hiromi), is among the most respected shōnen creators. When you are the mind behind Fullmetal Alchemist, one of the most significant shōnen of the 20th century, your credentials speak volumes. Arakawa’s work extends beyond the adventures of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric. She is also known for the delightful series Nobles Paysans and Silver Spoon, both set in the Japanese agricultural scene, as well as the fantasy epic The Heroic Legend of Arslân and Tsugai: Demons of the Shadow Realm, which is currently being adapted by Studio Bones. The first trailer is now available!
#3 Katsura Hoshino
Although less renowned than Rumiko Takahashi and Hiromu Arakawa, Katsura Hoshino remains one of the most prominent figures in shōnen. She gained recognition with D.Gray-Man, which has been published since 2004 in various Shūeisha magazines, including Weekly Shōnen Jump. The richness of her art and her universe, blending gothic and fantastic elements, made exorcists trendy long before they became a common theme. While her artistic talents are notable, D.Gray-Man is also distinguished by the emotional and psychological depth of its characters. Unfortunately, the ongoing series has faced multiple hiatuses due to the author’s health issues.
#4 Kazue Kato
Celebrated worldwide for Blue Exorcist, which has been published since 2009 in Shūeisha’s Jump Square, Kazue Kato has openly discussed the challenges she faced on her journey to becoming a manga artist, including securing an assistant position. However, through perseverance, she has become one of the industry’s most recognized names. By 2022, Blue Exorcist had sold over 25 million copies. Her current status is reflected by her selection as a juror for the 100th Osamu Tezuka Award – a major accolade in the field. She will be alongside esteemed creators like Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk, Vagabond), and Kohei Horikoshi (My Hero Academia).
#5 Shinobu Ohtaka
A shy child who flourished through art, Shinobu Ohtaka began her manga career while concealing this passion from her family. She is known for Magi, a fantasy reinterpretation of the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, which solidified her status as a key author, with the manga ranking among the best-selling in Japan in 2013 and 2014. The award-winning series has been adapted into both an anime and a video game. Following the conclusion of Magi in 2017, Ohtaka successfully launched a second popular series, Orient – Samurai Quest, which immerses readers in Japan’s Sengoku era. While Orient hasn’t achieved the outstanding sales of Magi, Ohtaka deserves credit for accomplishing what many renowned mangakas, like Masashi Kishimoto of Naruto, could not.
BONUS: Koyoharu Gotōge
For many years, there has been persistent speculation surrounding Koyoharu Gotōge, the creative force behind the acclaimed series Demon Slayer, which continues to set records with its anime adaptation by the studio ufotable. Many readers believe that the adventures of Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado were penned by a woman. However, Gotōge has made a concerted effort to keep their identity and gender private. Some fans reference an interview with a collaborator who allegedly used the pronoun “she” when referring to Gotōge at a convention, but journalists advise caution, as this might be a translation error. Regardless, it’s certainly possible that Koyoharu Gotōge is a woman; and the certainty among fans regarding her gender reflects a shift in consciousness among manga readers. We can only hope this revolution marks a positive change for female authors!
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