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]
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-shotNon-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.[7] Her next one-shot Taylor's House was released in Fellows! that year.[8]
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][9] 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.[10] The series won the Comic Natalie Grand Prize in 2013 and was nominated for the Manga Taishō in 2014.[11][12]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.[13][14] 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.[15][16] 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.[17] Seven tankōbon volumes were released, which have a total of 350,000 copies in circulation.[18] It was adapted into an anime series by Geek Toys and CompTown in 2023.[19] Sano drew the illustrations shown in the anime's ending sequence;[20] 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.[17] She also illustrated the cover art of Nulbarich's "Skyline", the anime's ending song.[21] Sano finished supervising the adaptation prior to her death.[22]
Death
In May 2023, Sano went for a checkup after she felt tension in her abdomen.[22] A tumor was discovered in her ovary; a month before her death,[23] it was diagnosed as malignant and already in its fourth stage.[22] Sano died of ovarian cancer on 5 August 2023 at age 36;[22] 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.[24] 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."[23]Takuto Kashiki [ja], author of Hakumei and Mikochi, and voice actors Ayumu Murase and Shun Horie were among those who offered their condolences.[25] 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.[26][27]
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.[22] 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]
^ abcdef「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.
^ abc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.
^ abcd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.
^ ab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.
^ ab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.
^ ab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.
^ ab「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.
^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.
^ ab「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.
^ ab「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.
^ ab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.
^ abNulbarich、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.
^ abcde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.
^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.
^「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.
^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.
