is a Japanese novelist.

Early life and education

He was born in Hondo,

Kumamoto Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. Kumamoto Prefecture has a population of 1,748,134 () and has a geographic area of . Kumamoto Prefecture borders Fukuoka Prefecture to the north, Ōita Prefecture t ...

and took his

doctorate A doctorate (from Latin ''doctor'', meaning "teacher") or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism '' licentia docendi'' ("licence to teach ...

degree in Japanese Language and Literature in the Graduate School of

Gakushūin University is a private university in Mejiro, Toshima, Tokyo. The Gakushūin (or "Peers School") was established during the Meiji period to educate the children of the Japanese nobility, but back then the institution had only the primary and secondary ...

in Tokyo.

Writings

His major works include the sci-fi

space opera Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes Space warfare in science fiction, space warfare, with use of melodramatic, risk-taking space adventures, relationships, and chivalric romance. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, i ...

novel series entitled ''Ginga Eiyū Densetsu'' (銀河英雄伝説), also known as ''

Legend of the Galactic Heroes , sometimes abbreviated as ''LOTGH'', ''LOGH'', ''LGH'' or in Japanese (and also depicted as ''Heldensagen vom Kosmosinsel'' in the anime intro), is a series of Epic (genre), epic science fiction novels written by Yoshiki Tanak ...

'' , and the fantasy novel series ''Arslan Senki'' (アルスラーン戦記), also known as '' The Heroic Legend of Arslan'', both of which were adapted as

anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...

and

manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...

. His fantasy works also include the novel series '' Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings'' (創竜伝) that was also adapted as anime. Tanaka is interested in

Chinese history The history of China spans several millennia across a wide geographical area. Each region now considered part of the Chinese world has experienced periods of unity, fracture, prosperity, and strife. Chinese civilization first emerged in the Y ...

and wrote some novels set in China. He also published two ''arranged''-translations of Chinese literature: "Sui Tang Yanyi" ( 隋唐演義, "Stories of Sui and Tang Dynasties") and " General Yue Fei" ( 說岳全傳, "Telling the Complete Biography of

Yue Fei Yue Fei (; March 24, 1103 – January 28, 1142), courtesy name Pengju (), was a Chinese military general of the Song dynasty and is remembered as a patriotic folk hero, national hero, known for leading its forces in Jin–Song Wars, the wars ...

") as "Gakuhi-den" (岳飛伝, "The Story of Yue Fei"). He is also familiar with Persian history, although ''Arslan Senki'' is inspired by Persian history alongside his own thoughts and imaginations.

Major works

*''

'' (''Ginga Eiyū Densetsu'' 銀河英雄伝説, 1981–1987) - Adapted into several anime formats by Kitty Film Mitaka Studio, Magic Bus, Artland,

Mushi Production or Mushi Pro for short, is a Japanese animation studio headquartered in Fujimidai, Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. It previously had a headquarters elsewhere in Nerima. The studio was headed by manga artist Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka started it as a rivalry wi ...

, Shaft, MADHOUSE, and Production I.G. *'' The Heroic Legend of Arslan'' (''Arslan Senki'' アルスラーン戦記, Part One 1986–1990, Part Two 1991–2017) - Adapted into an OVA series by J.C.Staff and a TV series by Liden Films and

Sanzigen is a Japanese animation studio specializing in CGI animation. The studio was founded in 2003, later becoming formally incorporated in 2006 by former employees of Gonzo, and has contributed to various anime series and films. Its name is derived ...

. *'' Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings'' (''Sōryūden'' 創竜伝, 1987–''ongoing'') - Adapted into an OVA series by Kitty Film. *'' Tytania'' (''Taitania'' タイタニア, 1988–2015) - Adapted into an anime TV series by Artland. *' (七都市物語, 1990) Chapter one, ''Arctic Front'' only adapted into a two-part OVA by Studio Junio. *'' Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo'' (薬師寺涼子の怪奇事件簿, 1996–2018) - Adapted into an anime TV series by Doga Kobo. *' (''Yabou Enbukyoku'' 野望円舞曲, co-authored with Yuki Oginome)

Manga

* '' Tenjiku Neppūroku'' (2016–2019) (illustrated by Sei Itō; serialized in '' Young Animal'')

Awards

* 1988:

Seiun Award The is a Japanese speculative fiction award given each year for the best science fiction works and achievements during the previous calendar year. Organized and overseen by , the awards are given at the annual Nihon SF Taikai, Japan Science Fic ...

for ''

References

External links

Wright Staff Online
- official website
Official Blog

Yoshishi Tanaka entry in the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
1952 births Living people 20th-century Japanese novelists 21st-century Japanese novelists Writers from Kumamoto Prefecture Gakushuin University alumni {{fantasy-stub