Shinji Hiramatsu

Shinji Hiramatsu (Japanese: 平松 伸二, Hepburn: Hiramatsu Shinji, born August 22, 1955) 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.

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 ("The Match"), published in Weekly Shōnen Jump (Issue No. 50, 1971). 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 (pro wrestling) and Dosukoi Gigolo (sumo), 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. 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” (literally, “Outlaw Man”). However, this figure was unhelpful and would mostly speak ill of his assistants and girlfriend (later his wife).

Works

Serialized works Doberman Deka (Story by Buronson) – 29 volumes New Doberman Deka (Original concept by Buronson) – Sequel to Doberman Deka Ricky Typhoon – 9 volumes Ricky the Lady – Sequel to Ricky Typhoon Black Angels – 20 volumes The Matsuda: Black Angels – Spin-off of Black Angels, 3 volumes The Matsuda: Superhuman Strongest Legend – Sequel to The Matsuda: Black Angels, 2 volumes Oedo Black Angels – A period drama reboot of Black Angels, 6 volumes (as of current publication) Love & Fire – 2 volumes Kirara – 1 volume; new edition also 1 volume Murder License Kiba – 22 volumes Murder License Kiba & Black Angels – A crossover series between Murder License Kiba and Black Angels, 13 volumes Butōman Gaō – 1 volume Aishura: The Legend – 3 volumes (published under the pen name Shinshi Hiramatsu) Aibashi -Shite- (Story by Jō Mizuki) – 5 volumes Dosukoi Gigolo – 4 volumes Aa Dosukoi Gigolo – Sequel to Dosukoi Gigolo, 2 volumes M8: A Brave Decision (Story by Tetsuo Takashima) – 1 volume Tokyo UWF – 1 volume Gedōbō – 6 volumes Gedōbō & Murder License Kiba – Crossover of Gedōbō and Murder License Kiba, with Black Angels protagonist Yōji Yukifujii appearing later in the story, 5 volumes Monster Hunter (Story by Yukihiro Iizuka) Sengoku SANADA Guren-tai Goku-Rakugo (Story by Uni Yasue) – First collaborative work with his wife Mr. Lady – 1 volume Man Junjō Koitarō – 1 volume And 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 (2019 album by ALICE IN HELL) – Cover illustration Trivia no Izumi (Fuji TV, 2004) – Provided illustrations for trivia segments on Fabre and sumo

Mentors and assistants

Mentor

Norihiro Nakajima

Assistants Tetsuya Saruwatari Yōichi Takahashi (known for the author of Captain Tsubasa.) Kazumata Oguri Tomokazu Satō Fumiharu Ikeda Maima Jōya Teppei Imaya