Manga artistFemaleJapaneseScience Fiction

Reiko Shimizu

Reiko Shimizu is a celebrated Japanese manga artist and illustrator known for her shōjo works blending science fiction with psychological depth, including award-winning series like 'Kaguyahime' and 'Himitsu - Top Secret'.

1. Overview

Reiko Shimizu (清水玲子Shimizu ReikoJapanese, born March 26, 1963) is a prominent Japanese manga artist and illustrator renowned for her distinctive contributions to the shōjo manga genre. Her works are particularly noted for their strong science fiction elements, intricate narratives, and exploration of complex, often taboo, themes. Shimizu debuted in 1983 with Sansaro Monogatari and has since become a prolific creator, primarily for Hakusensha's magazines like LaLa and Melody. Her representative works include Moon Child, Kaguyahime, and Himitsu - Top Secret, which have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, including the Shogakukan Manga Award for Kaguyahime and the Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award for Himitsu - Top Secret. Beyond manga, she is also known for her illustration projects, such as the Miracle Tarot deck. Shimizu's artistic style is characterized by its blend of scientific concepts with deep psychological and philosophical inquiries, making her a significant figure in contemporary manga.

2. Early Life and Background

Reiko Shimizu's early life and educational experiences provided the foundation for her later artistic pursuits.

2.1. Childhood and Upbringing

Shimizu was born on March 26, 1963, in Tokyo, Japan. At the age of nine, in 1972, she moved to Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, where she spent a significant part of her formative years from the third grade of elementary school onwards.

2.2. Education

Shimizu attended Kumamoto Prefectural Kumamoto Commercial High School. After graduating, she initially entered the workforce. However, her aspiration to become a manga artist led her to resign from her job in 1982 to fully pursue her dream.

3. Career

Reiko Shimizu's professional journey as a manga artist began in the early 1980s, quickly establishing her as a unique voice in the shōjo manga landscape.

3.1. Debut

Shimizu made her professional debut in 1983 with the one-shot manga Sansaro Monogatari (三叉路物語Japanese), which was published in a special February issue of the magazine LaLa by Hakusensha. This marked the beginning of her long-standing relationship with Hakusensha, for whom she has primarily written and illustrated throughout her career. In 1982, prior to her official debut, she received an honorable mention in the 9th LaLa Manga High School (LMHS) contest for her work Foxy Fox.

3.2. Influences

Shimizu's artistic and thematic choices were significantly shaped by other prominent manga artists. She has cited Moto Hagio, a foundational figure in shōjo manga and the Year 24 Group, as a particular influence on her work.

3.3. Assistants

Reiko Shimizu has also played a role in nurturing new talent within the manga industry. Notably, Makoto Mori began her career as an assistant to Shimizu, highlighting Shimizu's influence on the next generation of manga artists.

4. Works

Reiko Shimizu's extensive body of work is characterized by its thematic depth, genre diversity, and distinctive artistic style, with a strong emphasis on science fiction and psychological narratives.

4.1. Major Series and Representative Works

Shimizu is best known for several major series that showcase her unique blend of science fiction, mystery, and profound human drama. These works often feature complex plots and explore challenging themes.

4.1.1. Moon Child

Moon Child (月の子Tsuki no KoJapanese) is one of Shimizu's early major works, serialized in LaLa from 1988 to 1992. The series was compiled into 13 comic volumes and later re-released in 8 bunko volumes. It is known for its intricate narrative and exploration of themes such as identity, destiny, and the supernatural. The manga has been licensed in English by CMX Manga.

4.1.2. Kaguyahime

Kaguyahime (輝夜姫Japanese, also known as Princess Kaguya) was serialized in LaLa from 1993 to 2005, spanning 27 volumes. This series reimagines the classic Japanese folk tale of Princess Kaguya with a modern, science fiction twist, incorporating elements of cloning and genetic engineering. The manga received critical acclaim, earning Shimizu the 47th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category in 2002.

4.1.3. Himitsu - Top Secret

Himitsu - Top Secret (秘密 -トップ・シークレット-Japanese) is a prominent mystery and science fiction series that began serialization in Melody in 1999 and concluded in 2012, compiled into 12 volumes. A new edition was also released in 12 volumes. The series revolves around a special forensic unit that uses advanced MRI technology to reconstruct the memories of deceased individuals, allowing them to solve complex and often gruesome crimes. It delves into the ethical implications of technology, the nature of memory, and the dark aspects of human psychology. Shimizu actively incorporates cutting-edge scientific concepts into the narrative, reflecting contemporary social issues. The series also has a spin-off, Himitsu - Top Secret - season0, which began serialization in Melody in 2013 and is ongoing, with 10 side story volumes released as of July 2021 and 12 volumes planned for the main series by February 2025.

4.1.4. Jack & Elena Series

The "Jack & Elena Series" (ジャック&エレナシリーズJapanese) refers to a collection of interconnected works that feature recurring characters, particularly Jack and Elena, utilizing a star system approach. These works often explore themes of science fiction, mystery, and human connection across various settings and scenarios. Titles within this series include Metal to Hanayome, Milky Way, Ryuu no Nemeru Hoshi, Gekka Bijin, Sen no Yoru, Tenshitachi no Shinkaron, and 22XX.

4.2. Early and Other Works

Beyond her major series, Reiko Shimizu has created numerous other works, including one-shots, short stories, and shorter serialized manga, primarily published by Hakusensha.

Her early works include:

  • Foxy Fox (1982, LaLa September issue)
  • Sansaro Monogatari (1983, LaLa February special issue)
  • Kiss Me Vampanella (1983, LaLa July special issue)
  • Otoko no Ko Onna no Ko (1983, LaLa December special issue)
  • Shimizu Reiko no Konjaku Monogatari (1984, LaLa December issue)
  • 1 Million Pound no Ai (1984, LaLa May special issue)
  • Change (1984, LaLa August special issue)
  • Funeral March (1984, LaLa December special issue)
  • Metal to Hanayome (1985, LaLa February special issue) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • Noah no Uchuusen (1985, Wendy No. 1)
  • Otogibanashi no Judah (1985, LaLa DX No. 1)
  • Mou Hitotsu no Shinwa (1985, LaLa DX No. 3)
  • Tennyo Raishuu (1985, LaLa July issue)
  • Milky Way 1 (1986, LaLa April/May issue) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • Napoleon Solo (1986, LaLa January issue)
  • Neo Doberman (1986, Wendy Spring issue)
  • Seikimatsu ni Aisarete (1986, Cindy Summer issue)
  • Ryū no Nemeru Hoshi (1986-1988, LaLa) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • Milky Way 2 (1987, LaLa DX Autumn issue) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • Yume no Tsuzuki (1988, LaLa April issue)
  • Gekka Bijin (1988, LaLa June issue) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • 8-gatsu no Nagai Yoru (1988, LaLa Summer Club)
  • Sen no Yoru (1989, LaLa Summer Club) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • Tenshitachi no Shinkaron (1990, LaLa Autumn Club) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • 22XX (1992, Zoukan LaLa September/October issue) - Part of the Jack & Elena Series
  • Papillon (1993, LaLa March/April issue)
  • Silent (1993, LaLa July issue)
  • Magic (1996, LaLa September/October issue)
  • Wild Cats (1997-2000, LaLa, 1 volume)
  • Deep Water (深淵Japanese) (2013-2014, Melody)

4.3. Themes and Style

Reiko Shimizu's manga is characterized by several distinctive thematic and stylistic elements. A strong focus on science fiction is a hallmark of her work, often integrating advanced scientific concepts and their societal implications. She frequently explores taboo subjects, including cannibalism, cloning, incest, and bizarre murders, often depicting grotesque imagery. While her works contain sexually suggestive scenes, she generally avoids explicit depictions, preferring to imply rather than show directly.

Shimizu has commented on her recurring theme of cannibalism, stating that she finds the idea of a "happy ending for everyone" to be unrealistic. She believes that living beings consume other living beings to survive, and that life and growth inherently involve "sacrifice." Regarding her work 22XX, she noted that she might have less resistance to the idea of "people eating people" than others, seeing it more as a continuation of life through the inheritance of sacrifice, where parents become the foundation for their children.

She actively incorporates cutting-edge scientific technology into her works. Examples include the theme of cloning in Kaguyahime and the concept of MRI investigation to reconstruct memories in Himitsu - Top Secret. In Himitsu - Top Secret, she delves into contemporary social conditions and issues, reflecting the societal context of the time. Her unique visual style complements these complex themes, creating a distinctive and immersive reading experience.

5. Awards and Recognition

Reiko Shimizu has received significant accolades and recognition throughout her career, underscoring her impact and artistic merit in the manga industry.

5.1. Major Awards

In 2002, Shimizu was awarded the 47th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category for her acclaimed series Kaguyahime. Later, in 2011, her series Himitsu - Top Secret received an Excellence Award at the 15th Japan Media Arts Festival, further cementing her status as a critically recognized artist.

5.2. Other Recognition

Beyond her major awards, Himitsu - Top Secret received multiple commendations from the Japan Media Arts Festival jury, being recommended in both 2007 and 2008. The series also demonstrated commercial success, appearing on the Tohan charts four times as of May 2009, indicating its popularity among readers.

6. Other Creative Works

In addition to her extensive manga portfolio, Reiko Shimizu has ventured into other creative fields, showcasing her artistic versatility.

6.1. Illustration Projects

Shimizu is also known for her work as an illustrator. A notable project is the Miracle Tarot deck, for which she provided all the illustrations. An accompanying manual book for the tarot deck was published in November 1994 by Hakusensha. She also contributed to Namakemono no Scuba Diving (1996-1998) for Hakusensha's PUTAO magazine.

6.2. Art Books

Her illustrative talent is further highlighted in her published art collections:

  • Reiko Shimizu Illustration Collection ARIA (清水玲子イラスト集 ARIA［アリア］Japanese), published by Hakusensha on May 2, 1990.
  • Reiko Shimizu Art Book 2 WALTZ (清水玲子画集・2 WALTZ［ワルツ］Japanese), published by Hakusensha on July 1, 1995.
  • Reiko Shimizu Art Book Kaguyahime (清水玲子画集 輝夜姫Japanese), published by Hakusensha on October 7, 2002.

6.3. CD Dramas

Shimizu's work has also been adapted into other media formats. Her manga Kaguyahime was released as a CD drama on July 23, 2003, by T.N.K. This CD drama also included a CD-ROM featuring an illustration movie, combining audio and visual elements to enhance the adaptation.

7. Media Appearances

Reiko Shimizu has made appearances in media, offering insights into her creative process and artistic philosophy. She was featured on the television program Urasawa Naoki no Manben (浦沢直樹の漫勉Japanese), which aired on NHK E Tele on March 2, 2017. During this appearance, she engaged in a discussion with Naoki Urasawa while reviewing footage that documented the production process of her series Himitsu - Top Secret, providing a rare glimpse into her meticulous artistic methods.

8. Personal Life

Beyond her professional endeavors, Reiko Shimizu maintains a private personal life.

8.1. Family

Reiko Shimizu is married and is a mother. She gave birth to a daughter in July 2005. Her blood type is B.