Kazuo Koike

Kazuo Koike (小池 一夫 Koike Kazuo), born in 1936 in Omagari City, Akita Prefecture (present day Daisen City), is a writer, Manga artist, novelist, as well as original author of several films. After graduating from Chuo University with a degree in law, he studied under the period novelist Kiichiro Yamate. In his 77 years, he has also established the Koike Gekiga Sonjuku, a cram school dedicated to nurturing manga artists. They help many manga artists and creators debut, and even now he is continuing to aid the instruction of the next generation. There are over 300 names of students who have graduated from the Gekiga Sonjuku, and it has turned out a large number of established Japanese manga artists. Some notable names who have graduated from the school include Yuji Horii, Rumiko Takahashi, Ryoichi Ikegami, Keisuke Itagaki, and Shinobu Nishimura.

Previously a professor at the Osaka University of Arts, he is currently the curator of the Osaka Sogo Manga Museum of Art.


 * 1970	Debuted as an original author with Nosupaipu Sakusen (Young Comic)
 * 1972	Established Studio Ship (currently Koike Shoin) together with Satomi Koue, Yuu Koyama, Hiromi Yamasaki, Kazuhiro Iga and Takeshi Kanda and published several works of manga.
 * 1981 (Showa 56) Received a special award at the 27th Shogakukan Manga Awards

Notable Works
With a focus in manga, he has authored over 300 original works. His great number of masterpieces include:
 * Lone Wolf and Cub
 * Lady Snowblood
 * Mad Bull 34
 * Crying Freeman
 * Jikken Ningyo Dummy Oscar
 * Samurai Executioner
 * Agatte Nanpo.

International Awards Received

 * 2001	Eisner Award (USA) Best U.S. Edition of International Material for Lone Wolf and Cub
 * 2002	Harvey Award (USA) Lone Wolf and Cub
 * 2004	Eisner Award (USA) Inducted into the Hall of Fame for comic artists
 * 2004	Diamond Gem Awards (USA) Manga TP of the Year (2004) for Samurai Executioner
 * 2004	AXA Awards (Spain) Lone Wolf and Cub
 * 2005	San Diego Comic-Con (USA) Received 1st prize
 * 2006	Inkpot Awards (USA) For contributions to the American comics industry
 * 2008	Japan Expo (France) Judges’ Choice Special Award