Nami Sano Explained

Name Nonen:佐野 菜見
Nonus:ja
Birth Date:17 April 1987
Birth Place:Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, Japan
Awards:Comic Natalie Grand Prize (2013)
Manga Artist:y
Signature:Nami Sano's signature 2016-08-13.svg

was a Japanese manga artist. She made her debut in 2010 with the one-shot title Non-Sugar Coffee. She later published two series, Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto (2012–2015) and Migi & Dali (2017–2021), which were both adapted into anime series.

Personal life

Sano was born in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, on 17 April 1987.[1] [2] She attended, where she served as the head of the tennis club.[3] She later attended and graduated from .[3] According to a former classmate, Sano was a quiet student but was skilled in painting, stating that she drew the background for a class play during their school's cultural festival.[4] She had wanted to be a manga artist since she was in elementary school and started drawing manga while in high school.[5] Sano graduated from Kyoto Seika University under its Cartoon Manga course.[6] Twin Star Exorcists author, an alumni and professor at the university, said that Sano once served as his assistant.[6]

In May 2023, Sano went for a checkup after she felt tension in her abdomen.[7] A tumor was discovered in her ovary; a month before her death, it was diagnosed as malignant and already in its fourth stage.[7] Sano died of ovarian cancer on 5 August 2023 at age 36;[7] a funeral was held on 7 and 8 August. She was in the process of planning a new manga while undergoing treatment. Her death was made public on 16 August.[8] The announcement included a passage from her final letter, which stated, "This ended up being a fun life. I am now going to a more free world. Goodbye."[9], author of Hakumei and Mikochi, and voice actors Ayumu Murase and Shun Horie were among those who offered their condolences.[10] Sano, Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto, Migi & Dali, and the phrase "one month of illness" also became trending topics on Twitter in Japan following the announcement.[11] [12]

Career

At age 20, Sano submitted her comics to three publishers, from which she received a reply from Tatsuya Shiode, an editor for the magazine Harta (formerly named Fellows!).[5] Shiode said that he "felt a lot of energy" in Sano's drawings despite them not being polished.[5] She debuted as a manga artist in April 2010 with the one-shot Non-Sugar Coffee, which was published in Fellows![1] The following year, Sano's next one-shot Katahaba Hiroshi was included in the Costume Fellows! 2011 booklet.[13]

Sano's debut series was originally planned to be a "romantic comedy about [a] boy who can see the five seconds into the future, and how he falls in love with other girls."[5] After Sano sent some storyboards, Shiode said the story was "not funny at all", prompting her to change it into a gag manga.[5] The series Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto was initially a one-shot published in Fellows! in August 2011, before being serialized in the same magazine from April 2012 to December 2015.[1] [14] It revolves around a high school student named Sakamoto who has a reputation for being the "coolest" person in the entire student body.[5] It was compiled into four volumes, which have collectively sold over 3.5 million copies.[15] The series won the Comic Natalie Grand Prize in 2013 and was nominated for the Manga Taishō in 2014.[16] [17] Studio Deen adapted the manga into an anime series in 2016; a spin-off one-shot titled Hito Yonde 8823 was published in Harta in the same year.[18] [19] Sano was a special guest at Anime Expo 2016 where she held autograph sessions.[5]

Sano stated that her next series would also be a comedy, but it would focus more on the characters' feelings and a goal that they would work towards.[5] The series was titled Migi & Dali, which was serialized in Harta from July 2017 to November 2021.[20] [21] It follows the titular twins Migi and Dali who pose as a boy named Hitori while finding out the truth surrounding their mother's death.[22] Seven volumes were released, which have a total of 350,000 copies in circulation.[23] It was adapted into an anime series by Geek Toys and CompTown in 2023.[24] Sano drew the illustrations shown in the anime's ending sequence;[25] they were later included in a 28-page booklet titled The Timeless Collection of Arts from "Migi & Dali" that was bundled with an issue of Harta.[22] She also illustrated the cover art of Nulbarich's "Skyline", the anime's ending song.[26] Sano finished supervising the adaptation prior to her death.[7]

Style, influences and legacy

Sano has cited Magical Circle Guru Guru as her inspiration to become a manga artist, calling the story "very down to earth" and adding that she liked the humor.[5] She was also inspired by manga artist Kaoru Mori.[5] The Asahi Shimbun called Sano's style unique, stating that she does not incorporate a straight man character into the story, but rather leaves the humor to the reader's interpretation.[7] Reviewers for Anime News Network said that she had "a distinctive perspective and gauge for hilarity" and "a unique knack for absurdist humor."[27] [28]

The setting of Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto is primarily modeled after locations in Sano's hometown of Nishinomiya, particularly those along the Hanshin Main Line.[4] In 2016, a collaboration was held between the anime adaptation, the city of Nishinomiya, and Hanshin Electric Railway which involved various projects, including a stamp rally and posters being displayed in various locations in the city.[29] The collaboration led to local and overseas fans traveling to Nishinomiya as a form of pilgrimage.[4] After the announcement of Sano's death, the local community offered their condolences.[4] A column published by the Nishinomiya Mayor's Office thanked her for "sharing the wonders" of the city.[30] In December 2023, a special program about Sano was presented during the Fureai Festival at Gakubun Junior High School.[3]

Works

Serials

One-shots

Other

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ja:「坂本ですが?」「ミギとダリ」佐野菜見がガンにより死去、家族とハルタが追悼コメント. Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto and Migi & Dalis Nami Sano dies of cancer; family and Harta give memorial comments. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/537036. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 16 August 2023. 16 August 2023. ja. 16 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230816105700/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/537036. live.
  2. Web site: ja:佐野 菜見. Nami Sano. https://mangapedia.com/佐野菜見-ge6a502ff. . Voyage Group. 25 October 2023. ja. 25 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231025095449/https://mangapedia.com/佐野菜見-ge6a502ff. live.
  3. Web site: ja:夢かなえ逝った先輩忘れないで 漫画家・佐野菜見さん母校で追悼企画. Make your dreams come true, don't forget your seniors who passed away: memorial project for manga artist Nami Sano at her alma mater. https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASRDT5HDGRDTPIHB00T.html. The Asahi Shimbun. 25 December 2023. 28 May 2024. ja. 28 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240528115051/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASRDT5HDGRDTPIHB00T.html. live.
  4. Web site: ja:人気漫画「坂本ですが?」作者早世、西宮で惜しむ声と感謝相次ぐ 阪神沿線に舞台が集中「地元愛が随所に」. The author of the popular manga Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto dies early; Nishinomiya receives many condolences and thanks. Scenes are concentrated along the Hanshin railway line "Local love is everywhere". https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/hanshin/202308/0016710125.shtml. Kobe Shimbun. 17 August 2023. 25 October 2023. ja. 25 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231025103821/https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/hanshin/202308/0016710125.shtml. live.
  5. Web site: Aoki. Deb. Interview: Nami Sano, Author of Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto. Anime News Network. 7 September 2016. 11 June 2021. 17 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117054605/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2016-09-07/nami-sano-author-of-havent-you-heard-im-sakamoto/.106181. live.
  6. Web site: ja:田中圭一×『双星の陰陽師』助野嘉昭先生インタビュー. Interview with Keiichi Tanaka and Twin Star Exorcists Yoshiaki Sukeno. https://booklive.jp/feature/index/id/wagakoma12. . 6 November 2015. 25 October 2023. ja. 25 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231025113027/https://booklive.jp/feature/index/id/wagakoma12. live.
  7. Web site: ja:急逝の漫画家「坂本ですが?」の佐野菜見さん 尽きない情熱、アバヨ. Sudden death of manga artist, Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamotos Nami Sano. Endless passion, farewell. https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASRC265THRC2PIHB015.html. The Asahi Shimbun. 12 November 2023. 17 March 2024. ja. subscription. 17 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240317110459/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASRC265THRC2PIHB015.html. live.
  8. Web site: ja:漫画家・佐野菜見さんが死去 36歳 『坂本ですが?』『ミギとダリ』など描く. Manga artist Nami Sano dies at age 36, illustrator of works such as Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto and Migi & Dali. https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2291027/full/. Oricon. 16 August 2023. 16 August 2023. ja. 16 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230816035154/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2291027/full/. live.
  9. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Creator Nami Sano Passes Away at 36 Due to Cancer. Anime News Network. 16 August 2023. 17 August 2023. 16 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230816103606/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-08-16/havent-you-heard-im-sakamoto-creator-nami-sano-passes-away-at-36-due-to-cancer/.201304. live.
  10. Web site: ja:漫画家・佐野菜見さん死去 漫画家&声優たちが追悼 10月にアニメ『ミギとダリ』放送控え関係者「本当に信じられない」. Manga artist Nami Sano dies: manga artists and voice actors pay their respects, an official of the anime Migi & Dali to be aired in October: "I can't believe it". https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2291083/full/. Oricon. 16 August 2023. 16 April 2024. ja. 16 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416024412/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2291083/full/. live.
  11. Web site: ja:『ミギとダリ』アニメ化を控えた漫画家・佐野菜見さんが死去「闘病1カ月はさすがに」悼む声相次ぐ. Manga artist Nami Sano, whose Migi & Dali was about to be made into an anime, dies: "It's been a month of fighting the disease", voices of mourning one after another. https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/749874. Chunichi Shimbun. 16 August 2023. 16 April 2024. ja. 16 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416050757/https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/749874. live.
  12. Web site: ja:『坂本ですが?』作者・佐野菜見先生が死去 読者から「本当に残念だな」「遺書がカッコ良すぎる」の声. Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto author Nami Sano dies, readers said "That's really unfortunate" and "The note is so cool". https://nijimen.net/topics/415941. Nijimen. 16 August 2023. 16 April 2024. ja. 16 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416025057/https://nijimen.net/topics/415941. live.
  13. Web site: ja:締切り間近!森薫、雁須磨子ら参加、制服テーマの小冊子. Deadline is approaching! Kaoru Mori, Sumako Kari, and others participate in a uniform-themed booklet. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/44895. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 13 February 2011. 16 August 2023. ja. 15 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211215071933/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/44895. live.
  14. Web site: ja:「坂本ですが?」スタイリッシュに完結!ハルタ書店特典に特製しおり. Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto completed in style! Special bookmark available at Harta in bookstores. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/169165. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 14 December 2015. 10 April 2024. ja. 10 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240410015711/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/169165. live.
  15. Web site: ja:坂本ですが?4. Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto 4. https://www.kingrecords.co.jp/cs/g/gKIZX-255/. King Records. 28 March 2024. ja. 13 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161013224931/http://www.kingrecords.co.jp/cs/g/gKIZX-255/. live.
  16. Web site: Ressler. Karen. Nami Sano's Sakamoto desu ga? Manga Wins Comic Natalie Grand Prize. Anime News Network. 18 September 2013. 17 August 2023. 7 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220707204112/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-18/nami-sano-sakamoto-desu-ga-manga-wins-comic-natalie-grand-prize. live.
  17. Web site: ja:マンガ大賞:10作品がノミネート 「乙嫁語り」が3度目の選出 「ワンパンマン」「七つの大罪」も. Manga Taishō: 10 works nominated; A Bride's Story was selected for the third time, One-Punch Man and The Seven Deadly Sins were also selected. https://mantan-web.jp/article/20140120dog00m200008000c.html. Mantan Web. 20 January 2014. 17 August 2023. ja. 17 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200817084800/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20140120dog00m200008000c.html. live.
  18. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Hikaru Midorikawa Stars in DEEN's Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Anime. Anime News Network. 14 January 2016. 16 August 2023. 8 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103849/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-01-14/hikaru-midorikawa-stars-in-deen-havent-you-heard-im-sakamoto-anime/.97586. live.
  19. Web site: ja:「坂本」8823先輩スピンオフがハルタに、「ふうらい姉妹」再開&新連載も. Sakamoto 8823-senpai spin-off to be published in Harta, Fūrai Shimai restart & new series. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/194709. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 15 July 2016. 16 August 2023. ja. 16 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160716134330/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/194709. live.
  20. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Nami Sano's New Manga Titled Migi to Dari, Story Revealed. Anime News Network. 16 June 2017. 11 June 2021. 11 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210611012746/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-16/nami-sano-new-manga-titled-migi-to-dari-story-revealed/.117550. live.
  21. Web site: ja:「FOOLPROOF」規格外の学園生活がハルタで開幕!ミギとダリ、九国のジュウシは完結. Foolproof non-standard school life begins in Harta! Migi & Dali and Kukoku no Jūshi are completed. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/453613. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 15 November 2021. 16 August 2023. ja. 15 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211215071934/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/453613. live.
  22. Web site: ja:佐野菜見「ミギとダリ」単行本未収録のマンガ&イラストを収めた小冊子がハルタに. A booklet containing manga and illustrations not included in the volumes of Nami Sano's Migi & Dali is available in Harta. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/553210. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 15 December 2023. 28 March 2024. ja. 15 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231215135051/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/553210. live.
  23. Web site: ja:TVアニメ『ミギとダリ』オリジナルサウンドトラック. TV Anime Migi & Dali Original Soundtrack. https://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/722506. Billboard Japan. 28 March 2024. 4 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231204063019/https://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/722506. live.
  24. Web site: Chapman. Paul. Migi & Dali TV Anime Hits Japanese Airwaves in October 2023. Crunchyroll. 23 July 2023. 16 August 2023. 23 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230723201229/https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/7/23/migi-dali-tv-anime-hits-japanese-airwaves-in-october-2023. live.
  25. Web site: ja:『ミギとダリ』より、第12話「ぼくらの復讐」先行場面カット&あらすじ到着! BD BOXⅠに特典追加、EDの佐野菜見先生描きおろしイラストをポストカードにして封入. The preliminary scene cut and synopsis of episode 12 "Our Revenge" from Migi & Dali has arrived! Bonus added to BD box I, ED illustration drawn by Nami Sano is included as a postcard. https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1702831687. Animate Times. 18 December 2023. 28 March 2024. ja. 18 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231218020057/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1702831687. live.
  26. Web site: ja:Nulbarich、新曲「Skyline」がTVアニメ『ミギとダリ』エンディング主題歌に 台湾公演含む全国ツアー開催. Nulbarich's new song "Skyline" will be used as the ending theme song for the TV anime Migi & Dali. Nationwide tour including performance in Taiwan will be held. https://realsound.jp/2023/09/post-1443731.html. . Blueprint Co., Ltd.. 26 September 2023. 8 April 2024. ja. 8 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240408025352/https://realsound.jp/2023/09/post-1443731.html. live.
  27. Web site: Loveridge. Lynzee. Episodes 12-13 - Migi & Dali. Anime News Network. 28 December 2023. 3 April 2024. 3 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240403154916/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/migi-and-dali/episodes-12-13/.205792. live.
  28. Web site: Migi & Dali - The Fall 2023 Anime Preview Guide. Anime News Network. 2 October 2023. 8 April 2024. 8 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240408020615/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/preview-guide/2023/fall/migi-and-dali/.202665. live.
  29. Web site: ja:「坂本ですが?」が阪神電鉄&西宮市とコラボ、駅内に坂本君がクールに出現. Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto collaborates with Hanshin Electric Railway & Nishinomiya City, and Sakamoto-kun coolly appears in the station. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/206588. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 24 October 2016. 24 March 2024. ja. 24 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240324144514/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/206588. live.
  30. Web site: ja:令和5年9月(学文の 坂本ですが 鳥渡る). September 2023 (I'm Sakamoto of Gakubun, but I'm a bird crossing over). https://www.nishi.or.jp/shisei/mayor/tekuteku_backno/tekuteku-R0509.html. Nishinomiya Mayor's Office. 24 March 2024. ja. 24 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240324152718/https://www.nishi.or.jp/shisei/mayor/tekuteku_backno/tekuteku-R0509.html. live.
  31. Book: ja:U12 こどもふぇろーず. U12 Kodomo Fellows. Harta Editorial Department. March 2016. 107–114. Kadokawa Corporation. ja.
  32. Book: ja:スレンダーフェローズ. Slender Fellows. Harta Editorial Department. May 2018. 223–226. Kadokawa Corporation. ja. .
  33. Web site: ja:九井諒子のラフスケッチ集第4弾がハルタ付録に、今回はマンガも収録. Ryoko Kui's fourth collection of rough sketches is included in the Harta appendix, this time with manga as well. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/416386. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. 15 February 2021. 6 April 2024. ja. 6 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240406061221/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/416386. live.