Nami Sano
- Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto
- Migi & Dali
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Nami_Sano%27s_signature_2016-08-13.svg/150px-Nami_Sano%27s_signature_2016-08-13.svg.png)
Nami Sano (Japanese: 佐野 菜見, Hepburn: Sano Nami, 17 April 1987 – 5 August 2023) 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 Gakubun Junior High School [ja], where she served as the head of the tennis club.[3] She later attended and graduated from Naruo High School [ja].[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 Yoshiaki Sukeno [ja], 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,[8] 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.[9] 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."[8] Takuto Kashiki [ja], 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 one-shot Katahaba Hiroshi was included in the Costume Fellows! 2011 booklet.[13] Her next one-shot Taylor's House was released in Fellows! that year.[14]
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][15] 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 tankōbon volumes, which have collectively sold over 3.5 million copies.[16] The series won the Comic Natalie Grand Prize in 2013 and was nominated for the Manga Taishō in 2014.[17][18] 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.[19][20] 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.[21][22] 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.[23] Seven tankōbon volumes were released, which have a total of 350,000 copies in circulation.[24] It was adapted into an anime series by Geek Toys and CompTown in 2023.[25] Sano drew the illustrations shown in the anime's ending sequence;[26] 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.[23] She also illustrated the cover art of Nulbarich's "Skyline", the anime's ending song.[27] 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."[28][29]
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.[30] 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.[31] In December 2023, a special program about Sano was presented during the Fureai Festival at Gakubun Junior High School.[3]
Works
Serials
- Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto (坂本ですが?, Sakamoto desu ga?) (2012–2015, serialized in Harta)[1][15]
- Migi & Dali (ミギとダリ) (2017–2021, serialized in Harta)[21][22]
One-shots
- Non-Sugar Coffee (ノンシュガーコーヒー) (2010, published in Fellows!)[1]
- Katahaba Hiroshi (肩幅ひろし) (2011, published in Costume Fellows! 2011)[13]
- Taylor's House (テイラーズ・ハウス) (2011, published in Fellows!)[14]
- Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto (坂本ですが?, Sakamoto desu ga?) (2011, published in Fellows!)[1]
- Noppo ga Iru (のっぽがいる) (2016, published in U12 Kodomo Fellows)[32]
- Hito Yonde 8823 (人よんで8823) (2016, published in Harta)[20]
- Itoshi no Kamihitoe (いとしの紙一重) (2018, published in Slender Fellows)[33]
Other
- Harta volume 81 (magazine; 2021) – cover illustration[34]
- Migi & Dali (anime; 2023) – ending sequence illustrations[26]
- "Skyline" (song; 2023) – cover illustration[27]
References
- ^ a b c d e f 「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 & Dali's Nami Sano dies of cancer; family and Harta give memorial comments]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ 佐野 菜見 [Nami Sano]. Mangapedia [ja] (in Japanese). Voyage Group. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b c 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]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d 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"]. Kobe Shimbun (in Japanese). 17 August 2023. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Aoki, Deb (7 September 2016). "Interview: Nami Sano, Author of Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ a b 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]. BookLive [ja] (in Japanese). 6 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e 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 Sakamoto's Nami Sano. Endless passion, farewell]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 12 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ a b Pineda, Rafael Antonio (16 August 2023). "Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Creator Nami Sano Passes Away at 36 Due to Cancer". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ 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]. Oricon (in Japanese). 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ 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"]. Oricon (in Japanese). 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ 『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]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ 『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"]. Nijimen (in Japanese). 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ a b 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]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 13 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ a b ひな祭りを先取り!Fellows!で森薫らが描く「雛祭画廊」 [Ahead of Hinamatsuri! Fellows! presents "Hinamatsuri Gallery" by Kaoru Mori and others]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ a b 「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]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 14 December 2015. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ 坂本ですが?4 [Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto 4] (in Japanese). King Records. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (18 September 2013). "Nami Sano's Sakamoto desu ga? Manga Wins Comic Natalie Grand Prize". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ 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]. Mantan Web (in Japanese). 20 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (14 January 2016). "Hikaru Midorikawa Stars in DEEN's Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ a b 「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]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 15 July 2016. Archived from the original on 16 July 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ a b Pineda, Rafael Antonio (16 June 2017). "Nami Sano's New Manga Titled Migi to Dari, Story Revealed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ a b 「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]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 15 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ a b 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]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ 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]. Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Chapman, Paul (23 July 2023). "Migi & Dali TV Anime Hits Japanese Airwaves in October 2023". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ a b 『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]. Animate Times (in Japanese). 18 December 2023. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ a b 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]. Real Sound [ja] (in Japanese). Blueprint Co., Ltd. 26 September 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (28 December 2023). "Episodes 12-13 - Migi & Dali". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Migi & Dali - The Fall 2023 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ 「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]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 24 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ 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)] (in Japanese). Nishinomiya Mayor's Office. Archived from the original on 24 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ Harta Editorial Department, ed. (March 2016). U12 こどもふぇろーず [U12 Kodomo Fellows] (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. pp. 107–114.
- ^ Harta Editorial Department, ed. (May 2018). スレンダーフェローズ [Slender Fellows] (in Japanese). Kadokawa Corporation. pp. 223–226. JPNO 23955688.
- ^ 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]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 15 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
External links
- Nami Sano at Anime News Network's encyclopedia