Kyōko Ariyoshi (有吉 京子, Ariyoshi Kyōko, born September 14, 1950) is a Japanese shōjomanga artist.[1] She is well known for her works of ballet manga stories.
Ariyoshi's representative work is Swan (21 volumes, Part 1, 1977–1980, and Part 2, 1980–1981), which depicted the heroine Masumi's growing up to the world-famous ballerina and got the great hit, won the high reputation among readers.[1][2] Ariyoshi's other representative works are Swan -The Prayer of Swan- (1982–1983) and Applause[3] which also depicted growing up of the young ballerinas with talent and potential.
Life and works
Ariyoshi was born in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.[1][4] She started contributions of her stories to commercial manga magazine and received letter of encouragement from editor of magazine.[5] After graduation of high school, she went to Tokyo when she was 19.[3][6] Next year, she made debut with her work Kitty and a Girl (Koneko to Shōjo) in Weekly Margaret in 1971.[3][7]
In 1976, she started the story Swan in the weekly Margaret, 1976, 47th issue. magazine. The story completed after five years.[8]
Ariyoshi's manga work "Swan" was highly evaluated. It is considered the monument of ballet manga. Total sales of this series is over 20 millions copies.[4]
References
^ abcNichigai Associates Editorial Department (1997), p. 25
