Kō Kojima was a Japanese manga artist and a significant figure in the post-war manga industry, born on March 3, 1928, in the Taito ward of Tokyo, and he passed away on April 14, 2015, at the age of 87. He pursued formal artistic training at the private Kawabata Art Academy in Koishikawa, later attending the Taiheiyō Fine Arts Academy before leaving before completing his studies. His professional career began in 1949 when he made his debut as a member of the Dokuritsu Mangaha, an independent manga artists group. Following the dissolution of that group in 1959, he became active in both the Japan Manga Artist Cooperative and the Manga Shūdan from 1964 onward.

Kojima is best known as the creator of Sennin Buraku (Hermit Village), a long-running adult manga that began serialization in Weekly Asahi Geinō in 1956. In 2006, this work was recognized as the longest-running serialized comic by a single cartoonist, setting a record for its remarkable longevity. Sennin Buraku was adapted into an anime television series that aired from 1963 to 1964, which holds a notable place in broadcasting history as the first late-night anime, airing at 11:40 p.m.. Beyond this signature work, his other notable manga include Nihon no Kaa-chan, which earned him the 1968 Bungeishunjū Manga Prize from the literary magazine Bungeishunjū, and Hige to Boin, a series featuring a sake-brewing kappa that ran in Shogakukan's Big Comic Original from 1974 to 2014.

The artistic identity of Kō Kojima is characterized by adult and modern themes paired with an unusual drawing style, which contributed to his widespread popularity. His work is particularly recognized for distinctive character designs, especially of beautiful women. He also engaged with social and political commentary, making regular appearances on the Tokyo 12ch (now TV Tokyo) news discussion show Asahi Shimbun Wide News, where he discussed current events and presented satirical illustrations to viewers. His contributions to the arts and broader society were formally recognized when he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1990 for his academic and artistic achievements, followed by the Fourth Class Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in 2000. He also served as the honorary president of The Japan Cartoonists Association. Kojima is the uncle of noted manga artist Moyoco Anno, who is married to anime director Hideaki Anno.