Yoko Shoji
Description
Yoko Shoji is a Japanese manga artist born on June 4, 1950, in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. She is best known as the creator of the long-running manga series Seito Shokun!. Her professional career began in 1968 with the publication of her debut work, Umi to Rukokku-chan, which appeared in Kodansha’s Shōjo Friend magazine.
Shoji’s most significant and enduring work is Seito Shokun!, which translates to Attention Students!. The manga was first serialized in Shōjo Friend in 1977 and continued until 1985. The series proved to be a major success, earning Shoji the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award in the shōjo category in 1978. The story was compiled into twenty-four tankōbon volumes published by Kodansha between February 1978 and June 1985.
The world of Seito Shokun! has been extensively expanded through multiple sequels and spin-offs, all written and illustrated by Shoji. A one-shot spin-off titled Seito Shokun! Gaiden was released in 1983. The first major sequel, Seito Shokun! Kyoshi-hen (Teacher Edition), shifted the setting and was serialized in the josei magazine Be Love from 2004 to 2011. This was followed by Seito Shokun! Saishū-shō: Tabidachi (Final Chapter: The Journey), which ran from 2011 to 2019. The latest installment, Seito Shokun! Kids, began serialization in 2019 and follows the adventures of the original protagonist’s twin children.
In addition to the original Seito Shokun! and its sequels, Shoji has created a wide variety of other manga across different demographics and genres. Her extensive bibliography includes titles such as Let’s Goutokuji!, Haru Hikou, Saint Adams, and G.I.D., the latter of which explores themes of gender identity.
The popularity of Seito Shokun! led to several adaptations. The manga was adapted into an original video animation (OVA) produced by Ashi Productions. Directed by Mitsuo Kusakabe, it was broadcast on Fuji Television on February 23, 1986. The series was also adapted into two different live-action television dramas. The first, a twenty-eight-episode series, aired on TV Asahi from 1980 to 1981. The second, a ten-episode drama, was broadcast on the same network from April 20, 2007, to June 22, 2007.
Shoji’s most significant and enduring work is Seito Shokun!, which translates to Attention Students!. The manga was first serialized in Shōjo Friend in 1977 and continued until 1985. The series proved to be a major success, earning Shoji the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award in the shōjo category in 1978. The story was compiled into twenty-four tankōbon volumes published by Kodansha between February 1978 and June 1985.
The world of Seito Shokun! has been extensively expanded through multiple sequels and spin-offs, all written and illustrated by Shoji. A one-shot spin-off titled Seito Shokun! Gaiden was released in 1983. The first major sequel, Seito Shokun! Kyoshi-hen (Teacher Edition), shifted the setting and was serialized in the josei magazine Be Love from 2004 to 2011. This was followed by Seito Shokun! Saishū-shō: Tabidachi (Final Chapter: The Journey), which ran from 2011 to 2019. The latest installment, Seito Shokun! Kids, began serialization in 2019 and follows the adventures of the original protagonist’s twin children.
In addition to the original Seito Shokun! and its sequels, Shoji has created a wide variety of other manga across different demographics and genres. Her extensive bibliography includes titles such as Let’s Goutokuji!, Haru Hikou, Saint Adams, and G.I.D., the latter of which explores themes of gender identity.
The popularity of Seito Shokun! led to several adaptations. The manga was adapted into an original video animation (OVA) produced by Ashi Productions. Directed by Mitsuo Kusakabe, it was broadcast on Fuji Television on February 23, 1986. The series was also adapted into two different live-action television dramas. The first, a twenty-eight-episode series, aired on TV Asahi from 1980 to 1981. The second, a ten-episode drama, was broadcast on the same network from April 20, 2007, to June 22, 2007.
Works
- Topics: Anime overview