Misako Rocks! developed a love for comics and manga at an early age and drew her first comic at the age of 13. She moved to New York in 2001 and worked as a a puppeteer, face painter, animal balloon maker, and art teacher while still developing her own work. Her first break came when the Onion decided to use her illustrations for their now famous "Savage Love" column, which runs every week. Shortly thereafter, Misako scored a two-book deal with Hyperion, a three-book deal with Henry Holt and a writing gig for Archie comics.

Misako has been featured in many magazines and newspapers, including Elle Girl and the New York Times. The BBC and NHK also featured her in a documentary about her comic book life. Recently, Misako was chosen as one of Nikkei Woman Magazine's 15 Women of the year.

Recently Misako got a children's book deal with a Japanese publisher Meijishoin. Also, she is now running a monthly comic column in AERA English Magazine in Japan!

Misako currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and spends her free time riding her vintage bike, making hip hop, kissing babies, shaking hands, slam dunking and eating lots of Onigiri !!!


What people have been saying.....

"Many times, Misako Rocks has encouraged me with the phrase 'Ganbatte' - roughly translating to 'Go for it!' in Japanese. Her characters - especially Jermain - impart this same inspiring energy... take-charge girls that don't wimp out in the face of adversity!" - Craig Thompson

"Detective Jermain is a fresh-faced Nancy Drew for today's manga generation, a sassy teen sleuth with multiple mysteries to solve: why are her teachers behaving so weirdly? which of her two childhood playmates should she choose as her boyfriend? and toughest of all, can she become as great a detective as her ex-Dad? Misako Rocks! will hook you with her blend of intriguing detective thriller with warm- hearted high-school romance." - Paul Gravett

"a fast-paced and well-executed story..." - Booklist

"Manga with a heavy dose of cute...this should find a ready crowd of action-oriented shojo fans."
- Kirkus Reviews

"An appealing mix of adventure, female empowerment and romance brought alive by Takashima's vibrant illustration" - Publishers Weekly

"Great for younger manga readers." - School Library Journal



Press

BBC World Service Interview

Weekly ST Newspaper

Nikkan Gendai
(pdf)

Asahi Shogaku Newspaper (pdf)

Morgen Newspaper (pdf)

Nikkei Sangyo Newspaper (pdf)

Nippon TV 1分間の深イイ話 "Ippunkan no Fukaii hanashi"


NHK おはよう日本 "Ohayo Nippon"

Nippon TV 魔女達の22時 "Majotachi no 22ji" October 19th 2010

HOSEI University Magazine Interview Oct 2010 (pdf)

The 21 Magazine (pdf)

Nihon Keizai Shinbun (In Japanese)
Article about Misako from one of Japan's largest newspapers.

Chopsticks NY Magazine
Special Interview (pdf)

Nekkei Woman Magazine 15 Women of the Year 2010 Issue (pdf)

Yomi Time! Interview with Misako Rocks! (In Japanese)

Shiny Shelf: Rock and Roll Love Review
Nice little review by Mags Halliday

Golf Coasting Live: Children’s art shows debut in Naples
An article about the upcoming children's art program in Naples, Florida


Venue: Stand up, comics...

Bristol Comic Expo feature.

Girls Inc. Inspiring Girls: Meet Misako Rocks!
An interview with Misako Rocks! by Girls Inc.

Misako Rocks! and So Does Biker Girl

By Kate Culkin -- Publishers Weekly,

Venus Zine
Misako Rocks! The Japanese artist imports 2-D cuteness and
sexiness to the Midwest.

The Secret of Drawing
Misako Rocks is featured in a BBC2 documentary on drawing written and presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon.

Elle Girl
"Manga Girls"

NY Times
Misako is mentioned in an article about the growing market for comics for girls... "Hyperion Books for Children, a division of Disney Publishing Worldwide, will publish its first original manga next year. It is being written and drawn by Misako Takashima, a Japanese artist now living in the United States."

Isthmus Newspaper
"Quick on the Draw: Comic Artist Misako Takashima Cashes in on Manga Madness"

 

Jan 19th, Feb 2nd and 16th
Manga Workshop
Castle Hill Library - Bronx
Jan 30th
Manga Workshop and Book Signing Oceanside Library - Long Island
Feb 1st
Speech and Book Signing
Jane Adams High School - Bronx
Feb 25th
Workshop and Book Signing Metropolitan Museum - NYC
March 14, 21st and 28th
Manga Workshop
Fort Washington Library - NYC
March 16th
Speech
PS 321 - Brooklyn

April 1st
Manga Workshop and Book Signing
Japan Society - NYC

April 11th
Speech and Book Signing
Ritsumeikan University - Kyoto, Japan
April 19th
Speech
Hosei University - Tokyo, Japan
April 24th
Speech
Ichigao Junior High School
Yokohama Kanagawa

Rock and Roll LoveBiker Girl
Kodomo



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Copyright © Misako Takashima 2005-2009. All rights reserved.