is a Japanese novelist.

Early life and education

He was born in

Hondo Hondo may refer to: Places * Rio Hondo (disambiguation), the name of several locations, derived from the Spanish word for "deep" Canada * Hondo, Alberta, an unincorporated community United States * Hondo, New Mexico, an unincorporated co ...

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 to ...

and took his

doctorate A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism ''l ...

degree in Japanese Language and Literature in the Graduate School of

Gakushūin University is a private university in Mejiro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo. It was re-established after World War II as an affiliate of the Gakushūin School Corporation. The privatized successor to the original Gakushūin University (or "Peers School") was estab ...

in Tokyo.

Work

His major works include the sci-fi

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

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'' or in Japanese (and also depicted as ''Heldensagen vom Kosmosinsel'' in the anime intro), is a series of science fiction novels written by Yoshiki Tanaka. In humanity's distant fu ...

'' , and the fantasy novel series ''Arslan Senki'' (アルスラーン戦記), also known as ''

The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a Japanese fantasy novel series written by Yoshiki Tanaka. It was published from 1986 to 2017, with sixteen novels and one side-story in the official guidebook ''Arslan Senki Dokuhon''. Set in ancient Persia, it is loosely based on the ...

'', both of which were adapted as

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

and

manga Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) 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 prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...

. 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 an avid fan of

Chinese history The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), during the reign of king Wu Ding. Ancient historical texts such as the ''Book of Documents'' (early chapter ...

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 Tang or TANG most often refers to: * Tang dynasty * Tang (drink mix) Tang or TANG may also refer to: Chinese states and dynasties * Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) b ...

Dynasties") and "

General Yue Fei ''General Yue Fei'' () is a Chinese historical novel written by Qian Cai in the Qing dynasty. Consist of 80 chapters, the first 61 chapters detail the life and adventures of Yue Fei, while the last 19 concern the exploits of Yue Fei's son Yue Lei ...

" ( 說岳全傳, "Telling the Complete Biography of

Yue Fei Yue Fei ( zh, t=岳飛; March 24, 1103 – January 28, 1142), courtesy name Pengju (), was a Chinese military general who lived during the Song dynasty, Southern Song dynasty and a national hero of China, known for leading Southern Song force ...

") as "Gakuhi-den" (岳飛伝, "The Story of Yue Fei"). He is also familiar with

Persian history The history of Iran is intertwined with the history of a larger region known as Greater Iran, comprising the area from Anatolia in the west to the borders of Ancient India and the Syr Darya in the east, and from the Caucasus and the Eurasian Step ...

, 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 is a Japanese animation studio. It has produced numerous noted anime series, including the award-winning ''Mushishi'' and epic ''Legend of the Galactic Heroes''. It is also well known for producing the anime adaptation of '' Katekyō Hitman Re ...

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 wit ...

, Shaft, MADHOUSE, and

Production I.G is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise, founded on December 15, 1987, by Mitsuhisa Ishikawa and headquartered in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan. The letters I and G derive from the names of the company founders: producer Mitsuhisa Ish ...

. *''

'' (''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 , is a Japanese animation studio founded in January 1986 by Tomoyuki Miyata, who previously worked at Tatsunoko Production. The studio's first release was ''Yōtōden'' in 1987. They have produced several well-known anime series, such as '' Food ...

and Aubec, and a TV series by

Liden Films is a Japanese animation studio and production enterprise headquartered in Kamiogi, Suginami, Tokyo, and has animation studios in Kyoto and Osaka. Establishment Liden Films was founded on February 22, 2012 and, shortly after, joined joint-holding ...

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 f ...

. *'' Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings'' (''Sōryūden'' 創竜伝, 1987–''ongoing'') Adapted into an OVA series by Kitty Film Mitaka Studio. *''

Tytania is a Japanese space opera novel series written by Yoshiki Tanaka between 1988 and 2015 and released in five volumes. The series is about people who try to liberate the galaxy from the rule of the Tytania-clan and seek refuge with a rebel forc ...

'' (''Taitania'' タイタニア, 1988–2015) Adapted into an anime TV series by

. *''

Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo , known in English as ''Ryoko's Case File'', is a Japanese light novel written by Yoshiki Tanaka and illustrated by Narumi Kakinouchi. It was adapted into manga and an anime television series, two Drama CDs had also been released prior to ...

'' (薬師寺涼子の怪奇事件簿, 1996–2007) Adapted into an anime TV series by

Doga Kobo is a Japanese animation studio formed by former Toei Animation members Hideo Furusawa and Megumu Ishiguro, located in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. The studio was established on July 11, 1973, and has been involved in the production of a large number of ...

. *'' Ambition Waltz'' (''Yabou Enbukyoku'' 野望円舞曲, co-authored with Yuki Oginome)

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 Fict ...

for ''

References

External links

Wright Staff Online
- official website
Official Blog

J'Lit , Authors : Yoshiki Tanaka , Books from Japan

Legend of the Galactic Heroes Information Center

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