narrative illustration 2012

Junko Mizuno is a Japanese new manga artist.

Mizuno's drawing style, which mixes childish sweetness and cuteness with blood and terror has been termed a Gothic kawaii or kawaii noir style. In addition to her comics, she designs T-shirts, calendars, postcards, and other collectibles. Some of Junko Mizuno's designs were used in the documentary series Japanorama, which aired on BBC.

Mizuno has participated in the Angoulême International Comics Festival.

Last Gasp and Viz Comics are the English-language publishers of her work.

Mizuno provides the art that accompanies the horoscopes in Shojo Beat magazine.

Mizuno has stated that her work is influenced by shōjo manga works; this influence is exhibited through her use of bright colorization and the large eyes she provides for her characters ^.Her art has a decidedly pop-art and psychedelic flair, and a sizable proportion of her published work is colored, rather than the black and white format typical of most Japanese comics.

Works

Cinderalla, (Koushinsya, 1995); English ed. Viz, (2002).
"The Life of Momongo," story by Norimizu Ameya, Comic Cue, (East Press, 1998); reprinted in Chikao Shiratori, (ed.), Secret Comics Japan, (Viz, 2000).
Pure Trance, (East Press [Tokyo], 1998); English ed. Last Gasp, (2005).
Hansel & Gretel, (Koushinsya, 2000); English ed. Viz, (2003).
Junko Mizuno's Hell Babies, (Kenichi Kawai/Pan-Exotica, 2001).
Princess Mermaid, (Bunkasha, 2002); English ed. Viz, (2003).
Collector's File 002: Junko Mizuno's Illustration Book, (Viz, 2003).
Little Fluffy Gigolo Pelu, (Enterbrain, 2003-2005); English ed. Last Gasp (2009-).