YAMAMOTO Junya
Born in 1938. Graduated from Nihon University, College of Art, Department of Film.1963 entered Shougakukan. Was in charge of a reprint of JUNGLE TAITEI in the Picture Book Division. Since the appearance of the shoujo manga magazine SHOUJO COMIC, had been engaged in the first appearances and publications of manga magazines such as a separate volume of SHOUJO COMIC or PUCHI FLOWER , for 30 years until his retirement in 1999. April 2000, took up his post as a faculty member at the newly founded Department of Manga in Kyoto Seika University, College of Art. Left his post in 2004 together when the first graduates of the Department of Manga completed their studies.。
Editors do not create works. Strictly speaking, they neither produce nor raise manga artists. The artists themselves grow with their own passion and willpower.
However, if vines, for example, try to grow without a stake, they could end up going in the wrong direction, getting lost, or even losing their will to grow. Thus, Mr. Yamamoto has continuously supported artists' growing talent? just like a vine stake that has belief.
While being in a tough position between "gartists' dreams" and "judgment on commercial success," he has kept following "the path of believing in artists' talent and supporting them." If it were not for love for manga, he could not have come this far.
Without Mr. Yamamoto's contributions, girls' comic in Japan could have lagged behind in development for at least 10 years. (critique:SATONAKA Machiko, Head Adjudicator of MangaDivision)
hroughout 1960s, when Manga was not a mainstream of the time, being in charge of the reprinted edition of KIMBA THE WHITE LION was my first step to be involved in Manga. An encounter with Manga artist, TEZUKA Osamu at that time seemed to be a fortune to become a Manga editor later. In 1968, I was chosen to join the members of launching Shoujo Comic and started a challenge the unknown world.
What I remember vividly is Mr. Tezuka talked passionately about leap and promise of Shoujo Manga in future. In 1970s, I forefelt a sign of change in situations when a wave of booming economy rushed towards Shoujo Manga as well. We worked on free expression, improvement of quality of world of arts and reform of readers' consciousness.
I made a decision with a preparation for taking all the responsibilities to appoint young distinct characters proactively. Appearances of HAGIO Moto, TAKEMIYA Keiko and OSHIMA Yumiko in their early 20s were the dawn of a new era of Shoujo Manga. Fresh sensibilities and talents were received with ringing endorsement by readers. Taking this as a turning point, Shoujo Manga started to march to its high time at its full pelt. It was a pleasure for an editor to be a part of this great revolutionary epoch. I also appreciate that I could share the glorious time of Shoujo Manga with many creators and sophisticated readers which I think my lifetime honor as an editor.
I made a decision with a preparation for taking all the responsibilities to appoint young distinct characters proactively. Appearances of HAGIO Moto, TAKEMIYA Keiko and OSHIMA Yumiko in their early 20s were the dawn of a new era of Shoujo Manga. Fresh sensibilities and talents were received with ringing endorsement by readers. Taking this as a turning point, Shoujo Manga started to march to its high time at its full pelt. It was a pleasure for an editor to be a part of this great revolutionary epoch. I also appreciate that I could share the glorious time of Shoujo Manga with many creators and sophisticated readers which I think my lifetime honor as an editor.
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