Katsura Hoshino

Hoshino Katsura
星野 桂

Hoshino at the 2008 AnimagiC convention in Bonn, Germany
Born (1980-04-21) April 21, 1980
Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Nationality Japanese
Area(s) Manga artist and author
Notable works
 D.Gray-man

Katsura Hoshino (星野 桂 Hoshino Katsura, born April 21, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist from Shiga Prefecture. She made her debut in July 2003 with the publication of her first manga series Continue and is known for her work, D.Gray-man, which began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in May 2004. She most recently designed characters for the 2013 Sunrise anime, Valvrave the Liberator, making it her first original work on an anime.

The D.Gray-man manga series has been adapted into various forms, including an anime series and three light novel adaptations. Three volumes placed in the top fifty of Japan's bestselling manga of 2008 and the series is one of Weekly Shōnen Jump's bestselling manga series. It has gained attention in North America; both the manga and anime adaptions are licensed for English language releases. The manga series has been well received in France; it was awarded the prize for Best Manga Series 2006 at the Anime and Manga 2007 French Grand Prix organized by Animeland. It also won Webotaku's prize for Manga of the Year 2006.

Hoshino has been highly praised for her art, which has been compared to the works of Joe Madureira, Kelley Jones, and Chris Bachalo by one reviewer and described as "some of the best artwork in the business" by another. Her character designs received many positive comments ranging from "especially lovely" to "the most visually striking element" of her art and it is said that both male and female readers will enjoy the designs. However, she has been just as highly criticized for her lack of skill in drawing action scenes, which leads one reviewer to believe she will not or cannot draw physical combat.

Biography and works

Hoshino was born on April 21, 1980, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, as the younger of fraternal twin girls and the second of three children.[1] As a child, she originally dreamed of becoming an astronaut.[2] She drew her first manga at twenty-one.[3] In 1998, Hoshino moved to Tokyo. She dreamed of bringing her mother to the city and was able to in 2006.[4]

Hoshino's first publication Zone, a one-shot title, appeared in Akamaru Jump in December 2002 and was followed by her first series Continue (コンティニュー Kontinyū), which was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in July 2003.[5][6] The one-shot was succeeded by the D.Gray-man (ディーグレイマン Dī Gureiman) series, which began publication in Weekly Shōnen Jump in May 2004.[7] The series is over two hundred chapters long in Japan and is sold in over ten countries, including the United States, France, and Germany.[8][9][10] An anime adaptation, directed by Nabeshima Osamu and produced by Dentsu, was aired from October 2006 to September 2008.[11][12][13][14] Funimation licensed an English-language version, the first thirteen episodes of which were released on DVD in March 2009.[12][15] Based on Hoshino's work, Kaya Kizaki has written three novels, commonly named D.Gray-man Reverse, and Konami has developed two video games and a trading card game.[16][17][18][19][20][21] The fanbook D.Gray-man Official Fanbook: Gray Ark and the art book TV Animation D.Gray-man Official Visual Collection: Clown Art were released in June 2008 and September 2008 respectively.[22][23] This was followed by an illustration book titled D.Gray-man Illustrations Noche in February 2010 and another character book titled "D.Gray-man Character Workbook CharaGray!" in July 2011.[24][25]

The series was well received in Japan. D.Gray-man was Weekly Shōnen Jump's ninth bestselling manga in Japan in 2007 and 2008.[26][27] The fifteenth volume ranked twenty-second in 2008 manga sales in Japan while the fourteenth and sixteenth volumes placed at twenty-seventh and thirtieth respectively.[28][29] The manga received the prize for Best Manga Series 2006 at the Anime and Manga 2007 French Grand Prix organized by Animeland and received Webotaku's prize for Manga of the Year 2006.[10] In 2006, the second novel was the third bestselling novel in Japan.[30]

In Japan, D.Gray-man has been put on hiatus many times; once due to Hoshino falling seriously ill with Norovirus and another because of an injury to her neck. However the series continued shortly after in both cases.[31][32][33][34] In November 2008, Weekly Shōnen Jump announced that Hoshino was again putting the series on hold due to an injured wrist.[35][36] Publication resumed in March 2009.[37][38] The series once again went on hiatus on May 11.[39] The series resumed in the seasonal magazine Akamaru Jump on August 17, 2009. Following the release in Akamaru Jump, D.Gray-Man resumed its serialization on November 4, 2009 in the monthly-release Japanese manga magazine, Jump Square.[40]

In 2013, she was the original character designer for Valvrave the Liberator by Sunrise, making it her first original work on an anime as well as her first new work since D.Gray-man.[41] Additionally, D.Gray-man resumed serialization in July 17, 2015 in Shueisha's quarterly magazine, Jump Square Crown.[42]

Style

Two early designs for Allen Walker, the protagonist of D.Gray-man

Hoshino has been highly praised for her art and character designs. Leroy Douresseaux of Coolstreak Cartoons called Hoshino a "wonderful visualist" and commented that her "highly stylish" art resembled the works of Joe Madureira, Kelley Jones, and Chris Bachalo.[43][44] Douresseaux describes the backgrounds as eerie and Lovecraftian and says that Hoshino "makes practically every page a delightful surprise of gothic style and beguiling violence".[43][44] However, he believes that the character designs are the "most visually striking" element and comments that the designs and the action scenes are highly imaginative, worth even just an occasional look.[44][45] The reviewer Charles Tan from ComicsVillage.com does not feel as positively toward the art, saying that it is done competently enough to distinguish characters while still providing flashy scenes with the common themes of a shōnen series.[46] Ben Leary, a reviewer from Mania.com, felt even less positive toward the action scenes than Tan. Leary believes that Hoshino simply cannot or will not draw physical combat and instead chooses to rely on energy blasts, swirling wind, and impact bursts.[47] Casey Brienza of Anime News Network agrees. She said that "the battles, even as late in the game as volume twelve, remain practically unintelligible" and that it is difficult to tell "who is doing what to whom and when." All that could be discerned from Hoshino's "cryptic layouts" is that the characters are fighting. Brienza, however, is positive toward the rest of the art, going as far as to call it "some of the best artwork in the business". She describes Hoshino's drawing style as the "aesthetic yet dynamic, superbly beautiful yet super-violent" style made famous by female manga artist who arose from dōjinshi subculture during the late-80s and early-90s, citing Clamp and Yun Kōga as prominent examples. Brienza also praises Hoshino's character designs, which she claims are "especially lovely and pitched to satisfy fans of both sexes".[48]

Influences

Hoshino has named Takeshi Obata and Osamu Akimoto as inspiring her work.[49] Her most notable work D.Gray-man is greatly influenced by her previous titles. Characters are often carried over from unpublished manga Hoshino worked on early in her career. D.Gray-man and its predecessor Zone share many major concepts, such as the creation of demons known as akuma, the Exorcists' role to eliminate these demons, and the overall plot of both works. The main antagonist of Zone, known simply as the Millennium Earl, retains his appearance and name in D.Gray-man while the features of the female protagonist were changed to create the more masculine appearance of D.Gray-man's male protagonist Allen Walker.[50] The characters Lavi and Yu Kanda were carried over from two unpublished titles.[51][52]

She uses unnamed famous scientists, Aleister Crowley and Yūsuke Santamaria as models for several of her characters.[53][54][55][56] Characters are also based on her editor and the Tim Campi Design silver accessory brand.[55][57] Hoshino collaborated with Kata Kizaki, the author of the novel adaptations, to create the character Bak Chan.[58] The role of Miranda Lotto changed, and was ultimately lengthened, after Hoshino realized the similarities the two shared.[59] Hoshino comically comments that Allen's hair has become very similar to the Super Saiyan, a transformation from Dragon Ball, in which the character's hair becomes spiky.[60] Towards the beginning of D.Gray-man's publication, Hoshino stated that Allen, Kanda, and Cross Marian are the hardest characters to draw while the Millennium Earl and Hevlaska are the easiest.[3]

Hoshino commented that most of her ideas for the series come after falling asleep in the bath for six hours.[61] An exception occurs in the plot for second volume of the series, which is based on a Noh play called Koi no Omoni.[62] As she works, she enjoys listening to Final Fantasy soundtracks, Dragon Ball CDs, the bands Porno Graffitti, L'Arc-en-Ciel, and jazz music.[3][63]

Hoshino feels grateful to the editors assisting her, owing her D.Gray-man's success to them.[64] She has also thanked her mother in some volumes of the series.[65][66] The story arc involving Alma Karma proved Hoshino to difficult due to the fact it featured several characters. As a result, this arc set up Allen's departure from the Black Order to feature less characters per chapter. She has also commented the series' main theme was "tragedy" but still aims to make it fun. Additionally, once she has finished D.Gray-man, Hoshino wishes to make a more lighthearted series.[64]

In order to gather research for the series, Hoshino once visited New York as she believes the city left a deep influence in her works. She also visited graveyards since she never had resources for the series. The ground zero of the World Trade Center after the September 11 attacks also left a big impression in her based on the guides' comments. Hoshino commented she would rather go again as she did not have much time to stay in New York.[64]

Works

Publications

Anime

References

  1. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (August 2008). D.Gray-man, Volume 10. Viz Media. p. 86. ISBN 1-4215-1937-2.
  2. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (May 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 1. Viz Media. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4215-0623-4.
  3. 1 2 3 Hoshino, Katsura (November 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 3. Viz Media. p. 86. ISBN 1-4215-0625-4.
  4. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (February 2008). D.Gray-man, Volume 8. Viz Media. p. 1. ISBN 1-4215-1543-1.
  5. 1 2 週刊少年ジャンプ増刊 赤マルジャンプ (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  6. 1 2 "2003年VOL.34" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  7. 1 2 "2004年VOL.27" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  8. ↑ "AnimagiC — Katsura Hoshino" (in German). Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  9. ↑ "New Viz Manga". Anime News Network. July 18, 2005. Retrieved June 2, 2008.
  10. 1 2 "Manga culte" (in French). at Glénat Manga. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  11. ↑ "テレビ東京・あにてれ D.Gray-man" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  12. 1 2 "FUNimation Entertainment AcquiresD. Gray-Man from Dentsu". Mania.com. Demand Media. May 19, 2008. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  13. ↑ "テレビ東京・あにてれ D.Gray-man" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  14. ↑ "テレビ東京・あにてれ D.Gray-man" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  15. ↑ "D.Gray-man Season 1 DVD Part 1 (Hyb)". rightstuf.com. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  16. 1 2 "D.Gray-man Reverse1 旅立ちの聖職者" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved June 2, 2008.
  17. 1 2 "D.Gray-man Reverse2 四十九番目の名前" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved June 2, 2008.
  18. ↑ "D.Gray-man: Kami no Shitotachi". GameSpot. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
  19. 1 2 "D．Gray－man / reverse3　Lost　Fragment　of　Snow" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  20. ↑ "D.Gray-man: Sosha no Shikaku". IGN. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
  21. ↑ "D.Gray-man" (in Japanese). Konami. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
  22. 1 2 "D．Gray-man 公式ファンブック 灰色ノ聖櫃 星野 桂" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  23. ↑ "テレビアニメ D．Gray-man 公式ビジュアルコレクション 道化ノ聖画 星野 桂/ジャンプ・コミック出版編集部" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  24. 1 2 "星野桂 D．Gray-manイラスト集 Noche" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  25. 1 2 "D．Gray－manキャラクターランキングブック キャラグレ！" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  26. ↑ "The Rise and Fall of Weekly Shonen Jump: A Look at the Circulation of Weekly Jump". Comipress. May 6, 2007. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Top Manga Properties in 2008 – Rankings and Circulation Data". Comipress.com. December 31, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  28. ↑ "2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #1–25". Anime News Network. December 19, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  29. ↑ "2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #26–50". Anime News Network. December 21, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Manga-Based Novels Tops in Japan". ICv2.com. December 19, 2006. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  31. ↑ "D.Gray-man Manga-ka Ill". Anime News Network. November 7, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  32. ↑ "D.Gray-man on Hiatus...Again". Anime News Network. February 24, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2008.
  33. ↑ "D.Gray-man Artist Contracts Norovirus". Comipress.com. December 17, 2006. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
  34. ↑ "Rurouni Kenshin Manga Complete Edition, D.Gray-man Author Talks About Injury". Comipress.com. May 31, 2006. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
  35. ↑ "Hoshino Puts D. Gray-man Manga on Hold Due to Health". Anime News Network. November 16, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
  36. ↑ "Ediciones Glenat-ADIÓS, MUÑECA" (in Spanish). Glénat Manga. January 19, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  37. ↑ "Katsura Hoshino to Resume D.Gray-man Manga on March 9". Anime News Network. February 15, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
  38. ↑ "本誌 2009年 No.15" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 13, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  39. ↑ "Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Manga Ends in Japan on Monday". Anime News Network. April 20, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  40. ↑ "D. Gray-man to Move to Jump SQ. After 1/2-Year Hiatus". Anime News Network. 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  41. 1 2 "Valvrave the Liberator – Staff and Cast". Aniplex USA. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  42. ↑ "D. Gray-Man Manga Relaunches in New Jump Square Crown Magazine". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  43. 1 2 Douresseaux, Leroy (October 22, 2007). "D.Gray-Man: Volume 7". Coolstreak Cartoons. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  44. 1 2 3 Douresseaux, Leroy (November 22, 2008). "D.Gray-Man: Volume 11". Coolstreak Cartoons. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  45. ↑ Douresseaux, Leroy. "D.Gray-Man: Volume 9". Coolstreak Cartoons. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  46. ↑ Tan, Charles. "D. Gray-man Volume 8". Comics Village. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  47. ↑ Leary, Ben (February 28, 2008). "D.Gray-Man Vol. #08". Mania.com. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  48. ↑ Brienza, Casey (March 14, 2009). "D.Gray-man GN 12 – Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  49. ↑ "Viz Confirms D.Gray-Man, Naruto Spinoff Books". Anime News Network. 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  50. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (May 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 1. Viz Media. p. 61. ISBN 1-4215-0623-8.
  51. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (February 2007). D.Gray-man, Volume 4. Viz Media. ISBN 1-4215-0623-8.
  52. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (February 2008). D.Gray-man, Volume 8. Viz Media. p. 140. ISBN 1-4215-1543-1.
  53. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (May 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 1. Viz Media. p. 112. ISBN 1-4215-0623-8.
  54. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (May 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 1. Viz Media. p. 172. ISBN 1-4215-0623-8.
  55. 1 2 Hoshino, Katsura (May 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 1. Viz Media. p. 152. ISBN 1-4215-0623-8.
  56. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (May 2007). D.Gray-man, Volume 5. Viz Media. p. 132. ISBN 1-4215-1053-7.
  57. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (November 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 3. Viz Media. p. 124. ISBN 1-4215-0625-4.
  58. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (February 2008). D.Gray-man, Volume 8. Viz Media. p. 24. ISBN 1-4215-1543-1.
  59. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (November 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 3. Viz Media. p. 160. ISBN 1-4215-0625-4.
  60. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (November 2008). D.Gray-man, Volume 11. Viz Media. p. 2. ISBN 1-4215-1998-4.
  61. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (November 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 3. Viz Media. p. 81. ISBN 1-4215-0625-4.
  62. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (August 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 2. Viz Media. p. 119. ISBN 1-4215-0624-6.
  63. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (November 2006). D.Gray-man, Volume 3. Viz Media. p. 66. ISBN 1-4215-0625-4.
  64. 1 2 3 Hoshino, Katsura (July 4, 2011). CharaGray! (in Japanese). Shueisha. pp. 176–183. ISBN 978-4-08-870268-1.
  65. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (February 2011). D.Gray-man, Volume 20. Viz Media. p. afterword. ISBN 978-1-4215-3919-5.
  66. ↑ Hoshino, Katsura (November 2011). D.Gray-man, Volume 21. Viz Media. p. afterword. ISBN 978-1-4215-4077-1.
  67. ↑ "ジャンプスクエア ［ジャンプSQ.LaB］ (Jump Square [Jump SQ.LaB])" (in Japanese). Jump Square. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  68. ↑ "星野桂が新作読み切り執筆、ミラクルジャンプは月刊化決定" [Hoshino Katsura writing new one-shot, Miracle Jump monthly publication decided] (in Japanese). Natalie. April 30, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
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