Kyoko Ariyoshi

is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She is well known for her works of ballet manga stories.

Ariyoshi's representative work is Swan (21 volumes, Part 1, 1977–1980, and Part 2, 1980–1981), which depicted the heroine Masumi's growing up to the world-famous ballerina and got the great hit, won the high reputation among readers. Ariyoshi's other representative works are Swan -The Prayer of Swan- (1982–1983) and Applause She started contributions of her stories to commercial manga magazine and received letter of encouragement from editor of magazine. After graduation of high school, she went to Tokyo when she was 19. Next year, she made her debut with her work Kitty and a Girl (Koneko to Shōjo) in Weekly Margaret in 1971.

In 1976, she started the story Swan in the weekly Margaret, 1976, 47th issue. magazine. The story completed after five years.

Selected manga works Title Year Volume and Label Refs Swan 1976–81 Serialized in Margaret magazineShueisha (21 volumes) 1997–99 Akita Comics Elegance (6 volumes) 1987–90 Serialized in BouquetBouquet Comics (5 volumes) Swan Act II 2006–09 (4 volumes) 1977–78 (3 volumes) 1983 Margaret comics (3 volumes) 1976 Margaret Comics (2 volumes) 1973 Margaret Comics (2 volumes) 1994 Princess Comics (2 volumes) 1986 Margaret Comics (2 volumes) 1975 Margaret Comics (1 volume) 1976 Margaret Rainbow Comics (1 volume) 1983 Margaret Comics (1 volume) 1977 Margaret Rainbow Comics (1 volume) 1984 Margaret Comics (1 volume) 1985 Margaret Comics (1 volume) 1972 Margaret Comics (1 volume) 1974 Margaret Comics (1 volume) 2004 Futaba Paperback (1 volume) 1986 (1 volume) 1992 Princess Comics (1 volume) 1988 Margaret Comics (1 volume) 1996 KC Deluxe (5 volumes)

Artbook Ballet Dancer , Shinsho-kan January, 1986 Ariyoshi Kyoko Gashū SWAN , Heibonsha Co.Ltd. July, 2023

Reception Ariyoshi's manga work "Swan" was highly evaluated. It is considered the monument of ballet manga. Total sales of this series is over 20 millions copies.