Yoshiko Nishitani

She gave her readers characters that were like them, "teenaged Japanese girls dealing with friendships, family, school, and, yes, falling in love." Her success inspired an influx of female manga artists. Her manga Mary Lou is thought to have opened up the idea of shōjo manga telling stories about ordinary teenagers. Nishitani's characteristics have been described as 'big eyes and huge reflections within' as well as a use of curly hair and frilly clothes, with an attention to detail when drawing that inspired later artists like Nanae Sasaya.

• Born — 2 October 1943 • Birthplace — Kōchi, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan • Nationality — Japanese • Manga Artist — yes • Notable Works — Mary Lou

• Haruko no Mita Yume (1964, Bessatsu Margaret) • Mary Lou (1965, Margaret) • Lemon to Sakuranbo (1966, Margaret) • Jessica no Sekai (1967, Margaret) • Gyangu to Ojō-san (1967, Margaret) • Gakuseitachi no Michi (1967, Margaret) • Hanabira Nikki (1968, Margaret) • Nanako no Seishun (1969, Margaret) • Konnichiwa Suzanne (1971, Margaret) • Shirobara Monogatari (1971, Margaret) • Mugibae no Kikoeru Machi (1972, Seventeen) • (1974, Margaret) • Sumire Sake Sake (1975, Shōjo Comic) • Tōki-bi Hatake de (1976, LaLa) • Ki ga Chigai Sō no Jūnin-tachi (1977, Hana to Yume) • Kōfuku Yuki Kashira? (1977, Margaret) • Tegami wo Kudasai! (1978, Margaret) • Ai ga Arimasu ka? (1980, Margaret) • Kōenji Atari (1980, Bouquet) • (1981, Margaret)