Eiko Kadono is a Japanese author of children’s literature, picture books, non-fiction, and essays, recognized as the original creator behind several works that have been adapted into anime. Born on January 1, 1935, in Tokyo, she graduated with a degree in English literature from Waseda University. After completing her studies in 1960, she spent two years living in Brazil, an experience that later inspired her first published non-fiction work.

Kadono’s career as a published author began in earnest in the 1970s, and she has since written close to two hundred works. Her first successful children’s book was Ôdorabô Bula Bula shi (The Robber Bla-Bla), published in 1981. However, her most internationally renowned work is the novel Majo no Takkyūbin (Kiki’s Delivery Service), published in 1985. The story follows a young witch-in-training who starts a delivery service in a seaside town. This novel was adapted into a celebrated animated film by Hayao Miyazaki in 1989, becoming one of the most popular works from Studio Ghibli. The original book series went on to include multiple sequels and prequels published over several decades.

In addition to Kiki’s Delivery Service, Kadono is the creator of the original work behind the anime television series Three Little Ghosts. Known in Japanese as Chiisana Obake Acchi, Kocchi, Socchi, this series is based on a children’s book series she wrote, which was first published in 1979. The story features three mischievous young ghosts named Acchi, Kocchi, and Socchi who live among humans and have playful adventures. The anime adaptation, produced by Studio Pierrot, aired for 50 episodes on Nippon Television from April 1991 to March 1992. In this context, Kadono is credited as the original creator, with her work serving as the foundation for the animated series.

Throughout her body of work, recurring themes include self-determination and enterprising female characters. The judges for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, which she won in 2018, praised her inspirational female characters as singularly self-determining and enterprising, and noted her work has an ineffable charm, compassion, and élan. Her experiences, including being evacuated during World War II and living abroad in Brazil, have had a profound impact on her worldview and creative expression. Her significance in the industry is underscored by her receipt of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing in 2018, the highest international recognition for a creator of children’s books.