MOTOMIYA Hiroshi

Japanese Name: 本宮 ひろ志

Place of Birth: Chiba, Japan

Gender: Male

Information for Authors: He made his debut in 1965 as a Kashihon mangaka (rental manga writer) under publisher Hinomaru Bunko, where he became acquainted with fellow manga artists MIZUSHIMA Shinji, YAMAMOTO Masaharu and MASAOKA Toshiya. Through Masaoka he met NISHIMURA Shigeo who was an editor of the newly-launched Weekly Shounen Jump. The author became known in the manga world when he started a series called Otoko Ippiki Gaki Daishou in the sixth issue of Weekly Shonen Jump in 1968. The series was a big hit, and became one of the series that supported early Weekly Shonen Jump sales along with NAGAI Go’s Harenchi Gakuen. The story is about Togawa Mankichi who becomes a leader of a big gang of people attracted to the way he fights. In 1973, he published “Shun-Rai” on Weekly Playboy, which marked his debut in seinen magazine. In all of his works, his characters include men who have strong individual traits and steadfast philosophies on life. The themes vary from politics, economics, yakuza gangs, education system, and religion, and with a clear-cut and dynamic style, he uncovers the basic nature of man and society. He also founded MOTO Kikaku a group affiliated with Capcom for Tenchi wo Kurau and Strider Hiryu. OKAMURA Yoshiyuki, TAKAHASHI Yoshihiro, SARUWATARI Tetsuya, KURUMADA Masami, EGAWA Tatsuya, KANAI Tatsuo, MIYASHITA Akira, FUJIWARA Yoshihide, NODA Shigeru, MAEKAWA K-zou, IMATANI Tecchuu & NASU Kiichirou used to be his assistants. He is married to MORITA Jun.