An omnibus volume of definitive science fiction and fantasy shōjo manga from the 1970's and 80's was recently published by Rittorsha on April 20. The volume includes the first printing of Moto Hagio 's short science fiction work The Unicorn's Dream in A5 size, Moto Hagio 's They Were Eleven , Keiko Takemiya 's Toward the Terra , and more.

Also included in the omnibus are 106 color cover illustrations contributed to Hayakawa Bunko by female manga artists and a variety of articles related to science fiction and fantasy.

Moto Hagio has been incredibly influential and is considered a 'founding mother' of shōjo manga. She was the first female manga artist to win Japan's Purple Ribbon, and won the Asahi Prize for the fiscal year of 2016.

Hagio was a guest of honor at Comic Con 2010, where she said she was inspired by science fiction authors Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein. She also described how when originally breaking into the industry she was rejected by Kodansha , as they wanted "bright" and "lively" works, and hers frequently involved death and killing. She was later recruited by Shogakukan and says that now she is "killing people left and right."

The manga omnibus, Shōjo Manga no Uchuu SF& Fantasy 1970-80 Nendai (The Outer Space of Shōjo Manga SF& Fantasy 1970s-80s), can be purchased at Amazon JP and participating bookstores.

Source: Natalie Comics