Hiroya Oku

The pseudonym he used at the time of its serialization was Kuon Yahiro. Oku designed a character for Namco Bandai's Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 fighting game Soulcalibur IV, named Shura. In an August 2026 interview, Oku stated that he would retire after finishing his latest manga series The Sweet Sixty Princess.

• Born — 16 September 1967 • Birthplace — Fukuoka, Japan • Nationality — Japanese • Alias — Kuon Yahiro • Notable Works — * Hen • Gantz • Inuyashiki • Gigant • Awards — Runner-up in Young Jump Youth Manga Awards (1988, Hen)

• Hen (1989–1994): published in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump and collected in 13 tankōbon volumes. • Hen (1995–1997): published in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump and collected in eight tankōbon volumes. • Zero One (1999–2000): published in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump and collected in three tankōbon volumes. • Gantz (2000–2013): published in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump and collected in 37 tankōbon volumes. • Maetel no Kimochi (2006–2007): published in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump and collected in three tankōbon volumes. • Inuyashiki (2014–2017): published in Kodansha's Evening and collected in ten tankōbon volumes. • Gantz:G (2015–2017): written by Oku (first volume) and Tomohito Ohsaki (volumes 2 and 3) and illustrated by Keita Iizuka. Published in Shueisha's Miracle Jump (magazine) and Shōnen Jump+ (final chapter only) and collected in three tankōbon volumes. • Gigant (2017–2021): published in Shogakukan's Big Comic Superior and collected in ten tankōbon volumes. • Gantz:E (2020–present): illustrated by Jin Kagetsu. Published in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump (2020–2023) and YanJan! (since 2024) and collected in nine tankōbon volumes (as of February 2026). • The Sweet Sixty Princess (2025–present): published in Shogakukan's Big Comic Superior and collected in one tankōbon volume (as of May 2026).