Hirohiko Araki

Hirohiko Araki (荒木 飛呂彦, Araki Hirohiko; born June 7, 1960) is a Japanese manga artist best known for creating the long-running series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, which began serialization in 1987 in Weekly Shōnen Jump. The series is notable for its unique art style, dynamic poses, and creative supernatural powers known as Stands.

Hirohiko Araki
Araki in 2013
Born	(1960-06-07) June 7, 1960 (age 65) Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Occupation	Manga artist, artist
Nationality	Japanese
Period	1980–present
Genre	Action, adventure, supernatural
Subject	Shōnen manga, seinen manga
Spouse	Asami Araki
Children	2

Araki is regarded as one of the most influential manga artists of all time, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has become one of the best-selling manga series in history, inspiring multiple anime, video game adaptations, and a large international fanbase.

Early life

Araki was born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He grew up with twin younger sisters and credits them as part of the reason he spent a lot of time reading manga alone. Inspired by artists such as Osamu Tezuka and the French painter Paul Gauguin, Araki began drawing manga as a child.

He submitted several works to publishers while still in high school, eventually making his professional debut in 1980 with the manga Poker Under Arms, published in Weekly Shōnen Jump.

Career

Araki's first serialized work was Cool Shock B.T. (1983), followed by the science fiction action series Baoh (1984–1985). However, he achieved major success with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, which began in 1987 and is split into multiple parts, each with a different protagonist and storyline. The series is recognized for its distinctive art style, fashion-inspired character designs, and innovative use of sound effects and panel layout.

Besides JoJo, Araki has released several one-shots and artbooks, including Rohan at the Louvre (2010), created in collaboration with the Louvre Museum. He has also contributed artwork for fashion brands and exhibitions, furthering his reputation as both a manga artist and fine artist.

Style and influences

Araki's work is heavily influenced by Western music, fashion, and classical art. Many characters and Stands in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure are named after musicians, bands, or songs. His art style evolved dramatically over time, moving from the muscular, action-oriented look of the 1980s to a more elegant and fashion-forward aesthetic.

Legacy

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is one of the longest-running manga series, and its influence is evident in both Japanese and international pop culture. Araki is known for his youthful appearance despite his age, leading fans to jokingly call him "immortal."

Works

• Poker Under Arms (1980, one-shot)
• Cool Shock B.T. (1983)
• Baoh, the Visitor (1984–1985)
• Gorgeous Irene (1985)
• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (1987–present)
• Rohan at the Louvre (2010)
• Various artbooks, such as JoJo6251, JOJOVELLER, and Hirohiko Araki Works

See also

• JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
• List of characters in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
• Manga
• Rhian Ferreira De Almeida