Shinji Hiramatsu


Shinji Hiramatsu is a Japanese manga artist. He hails from Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, and currently resides in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. He is best known for works such as Doberman Deka, Black Angels, and Murder License Kiba. His wife is manga scriptwriter Uni Yasue. He serves as a councilor of the Japan Cartoonists Association.
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Biography

Early career

Hiramatsu began drawing manga during his junior high school years. He made his debut while in his first year at Okayama Prefectural Takahashi High School with the short story Shōbu, published in Weekly Shōnen Jump. While still in school, he had five to six one-shots published. He was scouted by editor Hiroki Gotō and moved to Tokyo, where he worked as an assistant to manga artist Norihiro Nakajima. In 1974, he made his serialized debut with Doberman Deka.

Style and themes

Hiramatsu is known for stories featuring protagonists who crush villains and lawbreakers beyond the reach of justice. Alongside such tales of vengeance and justice, he also produced a number of combat sports manga, including Ricky Typhoon and Dosukoi Gigolo, both featuring numerous risqué scenes. His protagonists are often portrayed as both powerful and androgynously beautiful. Notably, Murder License Kiba features an intersex hero—an audacious creative direction for its time.
In 2015, to mark the 40th anniversary of Doberman Deka and the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of Black Angels, Hiramatsu appeared on the TV program Mandō Kobayashi, hosted by comedian Kendō Kobayashi, where he shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Since around spring 2015, Hiramatsu has produced art pieces that blend illustrations of his most iconic characters with traditional Japanese calligraphy, which he terms “manga calligraphy”. These pieces are available for purchase at exhibitions and online.
He has also collaborated with Katsushika Ward, where he currently resides, contributing artwork for the cover of the local government’s “My Handy Book”, anti-fraud awareness posters and leaflets, and even wrapping for public buses used in scam prevention campaigns.
A fan of martial arts, Hiramatsu continues to train daily even after turning 60, and is known for his disciplined lifestyle and active involvement in volunteer work.
For a time after his debut, he claimed to be accompanied by an imaginary figure dressed as the Grim Reaper, whom he referred to as “Gedō-man”. However, this figure was unhelpful and would mostly speak ill of his assistants and girlfriend.

Works

Serialized works

Doberman Deka – 29 volumesNew Doberman Deka – Sequel to Doberman DekaRicky Typhoon – 9 volumesRicky the Lady – Sequel to Ricky TyphoonBlack Angels – 20 volumesThe Matsuda: Black Angels – Spin-off of Black Angels, 3 volumesThe Matsuda: Superhuman Strongest Legend – Sequel to The Matsuda: Black Angels, 2 volumesOedo Black Angels – A period drama reboot of Black Angels, 6 volumes Love & Fire – 2 volumesKirara – 1 volume; new edition also 1 volumeMurder License Kiba – 22 volumesMurder License Kiba & Black Angels – A crossover series between Murder License Kiba and Black Angels, 13 volumesButōman Gaō – 1 volumeAishura: The Legend – 3 volumes Aibashi -Shite- – 5 volumesDosukoi Gigolo – 4 volumesAa Dosukoi Gigolo – Sequel to Dosukoi Gigolo, 2 volumesM8: A Brave Decision – 1 volumeTokyo UWF – 1 volumeGedōbō – 6 volumesGedōbō & Murder License Kiba – Crossover of Gedōbō and Murder License Kiba, with Black Angels protagonist Yōji Yukifujii appearing later in the story, 5 volumesMonster Hunter Sengoku SANADA Guren-taiGoku-Rakugo – First collaborative work with his wifeMr. Lady – 1 volumeMan Junjō Koitarō – 1 volumeAnd Then I Became Gedō-man – Autobiographical manga, 4 volumes

One-shots

Momotarō '87 – Included in ''Monster Hunter: Shinji Hiramatsu Short Story Collection''

Illustrations

Thousand People Sword Kill – Cover illustrationTrivia no Izumi – Provided illustrations for trivia segments on Fabre and sumo

Mentors and assistants

Mentor

Assistants