It’s certainly not the kind of news anyone enjoys reporting, but unfortunately, shoujo manga author Kana Hoshino has passed away on April 28th at the age of 57. The statement was issued by publisher Hakusensha, though the cause of her passing was not made immediately clear. Kana Hoshino’s first professionally published manga was Tokyo wa Yoru no 7-ji, published in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine in 1982. One of her most prominent works was Ryokunohara Gakuen, which eventually inspired an OVA adaptation in 1990, Ryokunohara Labyrinth – Sparkling Phantom.
The statement from Hakusensha reads,
“[Hoshino] fascinated us with her works set in unique worlds overflowing with vibrancy and sensitivity, set on the stages of sci-fi and fantasy.”
Her contributions to shoujo, slice-of-life, and romance genres were undeniably substantial, and it is our hope that her influence will continue to inspire both manga artists and readers alike for years to come. She’s certainly one of the greats that left this world too soon. Rest in peace, Kana Hoshino.
There has been a lot of loss over the past few years in the manga and anime industry. The KyoAni arson attack a couple years ago was a reminder that life is sometimes fleeting and fragile, and it’s important to take a moment to appreciate the people that brought joy into our lives in the forms of manga, anime, and entertainment. I’ll definitely raise a glass in honor of Hoshino-san’s successes tonight.
Source: Anime News Network
