Masamune Shirow

(b. 23/11/1961, Japan)

Masamune Shirow was born in Kobe City, Japan, in 1961. He studied at the Osaka University of Arts, and it was at this time that he made his debut in manga with 'Black Magic', which was published in the fanzine Atlas. After graduating, Masamune Shirow, which is a pseudonym, became an art teacher at a high school and created 'Appleseed', which won him a Galaxy Award for Best Science Fiction Comic in 1986. Most of Masamune Shirow's work has been adapted for animation and games - especially his 'Dominion Tank Police' and 'Ghost in the Shell'. After five years of teaching, Masamune Shirow became disillusioned with education, and devoted himself entirely to making manga. He works alone, and currently lives in the city of Hyogo.