Hiroyuki Aihara was a Japanese picture book author, essayist, and anime screenwriter known for creating the long-running children’s series The Bears’ School. Born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, in 1961, he was a graduate of Waseda University. He began his career as a picture book author following the birth of his eldest daughter, often working under the pen name Aihara Hiroyuki in addition to his real name.

Aihara is best recognized as the original creator of The Bears’ School (Kuma no Gakkō), a series that began with its first picture book in 2002. The series grew into a substantial franchise, with its books achieving significant domestic and international circulation, including publication in France. The property was adapted into multiple anime works, marking Aihara’s central role in transitioning his characters from page to screen. He is credited as both the original creator and scriptwriter for the 2010 anime film Kuma no Gakkou: Jackie to Katie. For the later theatrical feature Eiga Kuma no Gakkou: Patissier Jackie to Ohisama no Sweets, released in 2017, he served as both the original creator and the screenwriter.

His involvement in anime extended beyond adaptations of his flagship series. Aihara contributed as a scriptwriter and original concept creator for the Ganbare! Lulu Lolo television anime, working across all three series seasons from 2013 to 2016. He also held writing and original creator credits for the anime film Anzu-chan in 2016. Consistent with his background in children’s literature, he was noted as the original creator of the special Franny & Melanie.

A significant portion of Aihara’s creative identity was rooted in gentle, child-focused storytelling. Beyond his published books and anime work, he participated in character development for other media, such as the NHK-BS character Nanami-chan and the official mascot for the YOSAKOI Soran Festival. In 2020, he founded the publishing company Sunny Side Books. Hiroyuki Aihara passed away on June 27, 2022, at the age of 60.