Kiyohiko Azuma (born May 27, 1968, in Takasago) is a Japanese manga writer and illustrator. He is famous for writing the manga series Azumanga Daioh, serialized from 1999 to 2002 in the Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine. His current series is Yotsuba&!, also serialized in Dengeki Daioh. In his manga, he writes under the hiragana form of his name, which has led some non-Japanese-speakers to confuse him for a woman (as they have mistaken the masculine ending -hiko for the feminine -ko).
Azuma's style of art is easily recognizable, having distinguished itself from common shojo and shonen art styles in the 1990s.
In his younger days Azuma would write doujinshi and hentai manga under the pen names Jōji Jonokuchi and A-ZONE. His doujinshi manga was based on such franchises as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo!, Battle Athletes Victory, and Dragon Ball. They were often parodies. He also designed the characters from the anime Magical Play, which was webcast from 2001 to 2002.
The "Azumanga" in Azumanga Daioh comes from the author's last name, Azuma.
He is a graduate from Kobe Design University and Hyōgo Prefectural Kakogawa East High School in Kakogawa.
Works[]
Manga[]
- Azumanga Daioh (1999-2002, Comic Dengeki Daioh, Media Works)
- Azumanga Ohdama (あずまんが大玉 Azumanga Ōdama) (1999)
- Azumanga Daioh: Hoshuuhen (2009, Gessan, Shogakukan) (side story)
- Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon dj - A-Zone (1993) (doujinshi)
- Inma no Ranbu (1997) (hentai)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion dj - Ayanami's Fans (doujinshi)
- Private Tutor Nami (1997) (hentai)
- Try! Try! Try! (1998)
- Wallaby (1998-2000, Game-jin, Media Works)
- Yotsuba&! (2003-ongoing, Comic Dengeki Daioh, Media Works)
Anthologies[]
- Azumanga: Kiyohiko Azuma Anthology (1998, Media Works)
- Azumanga 2: Kiyohiko Azuma Anthology (2001, Media Works)
- Azumanga Recycle (2001, Media Works)
Character designs[]
- Hikaru's Exchange (ひかるEXCHANGE Hikaru Exchange) (video game, for adults)
- Mai Maino (舞野舞), a character from Queen of Duelists: Sidestory α+ (クイーン・オブ・デュエリスト外伝α＋ Kuīn obu Dyuerisuto Gaiden α＋) (video game, for adults, 1994)
- Magical Play (2001–2002 anime)
- MILLION FEVER (1994 video game)
Illustrations[]
- Aquarian Age TCG
- Leaf Fight TCG (as one of main painters)