Kana Hoshino was a Japanese manga artist recognized for her significant contributions to the shoujo genre, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. Her career began in 1982 with the publication of her debut manga, Tokyo wa Yoru no 7-ji, in the magazine Hana to Yume. She was primarily published by Hakusensha in their magazines Hana to Yume and Bessatsu Hana to Yume, which are aimed at a young female audience.

Hoshino is best known for creating the Ryokunohara Gakuen series. This body of work became her most famous and served as the foundation for the only anime adaptation directly tied to her name. In 1990, the original video animation Ryokunohara Labyrinth - Sparkling Phantom was released, with Hoshino officially credited as the original creator. The OVA, which marked the directorial debut of Narumi Kakinouchi, is a fantasy story that follows two close friends, Hiroki and Kanata, after one of them is involved in a fatal accident. The source material for this anime is listed as a manga, further confirming her role as the originating author. Beyond this notable work, her other manga series include Aya ko kyoushitsu, Seikimatsu datenshi o sagashite, Hiroki: Harusaki Meiro, Lunatic Cinema, Human Nore no Koe, Myoko to Ao, Billy Emerado, and Kyoshitsu.

Thematically, Hoshino's artistic identity was defined by blending genres. Her work often combined fantasy and science fiction settings with the emotional cores of school life, romance, and slice-of-life drama. Following her passing, her publisher Hakusensha released a statement describing her works as being set in unique worlds full of vibrancy and a fresh sensitivity. This style made her a defining figure in shaping shoujo manga during the height of her career. Kana Hoshino passed away on April 28, 2021, at the age of 57 due to an unspecified illness. Her legacy continued to be honored after her death, including a posthumous original art exhibition titled Kana Hoshino: Eternal Ryokunohara.