HORIE ART SCHOOL / INSTRUCTORS

Instructors

Your work does not need to feel “finished” before you show it. We respect what you want to create and offer feedback that fits your current stage.

HOW WE TEACH / 01

Instructors you can feel safe showing your work to.

“What if they think I am not good?” “I do not even know what to fix.” Our instructors look beyond skill level. They ask what you want to draw and what you want help with, then respond to where you are now.

An instructor advising a student drawing on a tablet
An instructor discussing a student’s sketch
An instructor guiding a student through a digital illustration
Shirin Ito, principal of Horie Art School
PRINCIPAL / 02Principal, Horie Art School

Shirin Ito

Born in Shanghai, China. Instructor at Digital Hollywood Osaka. Works across manga, illustration, design, and writing.

Consultations are also available in Chinese.

Training & work

  • Appeared on the TV program Ohayo Asahi Desu in December 2017
  • The school’s work has been featured annually by Osaka Nichinichi Shimbun since 2017
  • Lectured at Osaka University Hospital in October 2020 on expression and communication through manga
A 2020 caregiving and food-education book for which Shirin Ito created interior illustrations
Representative workA 2020 caregiving and food-education book for which Shirin Ito created interior illustrations

From discovering manga at ten to teaching others

I came to Japan when I was ten. One day at a friend’s home, I read Marmalade Boy in the girls’ manga magazine Ribon without understanding any Japanese.

I knew neither the earlier story nor the words, yet I cried when I saw the heroine separate from her boyfriend. That was when I decided to become a manga artist. At fourteen, I submitted to Shueisha for the first time and received my first award.

I was later selected in several competitions held by major publishers and worked with an editor, but I did not make my professional debut.

After stepping away from manga, I realized that fifteen years of drawing had also taught me how to illustrate, design, and write.

By sharing the joy and value of manga and illustration, I hope to help the people who attend our school live richer and happier lives.

TEACHING TEAM / 03

Instructors who keep making work

Our team has trained and worked as manga artists, illustrators, and fine artists. Their profiles show both their experience and how they want to support each learner.

The Horie Art School teaching team together in the art-filled studio
Instructor illustration — 花谷 光礼
Instructor illustration
01

花谷 光礼

Manga artist, age 47. Vocational-school graduate; works with a Jump Plus editor.

Representative work — 花谷 光礼
Representative work
Training & work
  • Jump Rookie Bronze Rookie Award; the winning work appeared on Jump Plus
  • Advertising manga, event direct mail and key visuals, and professional assistant work
Interests
Professional wrestling, manga, and music
From the instructor

I teach according to each goal, from beginners and hobby learners to people who want to work in art or strengthen skills they already use professionally.

Instructor illustration — 沖中 蘭
Instructor illustration
02

沖中 蘭

Manga artist, age 25. Kyoto Seika University Faculty of Manga graduate; received a Ribon award in elementary school.

Representative work — 沖中 蘭
Representative work
Training & work
  • 8th Ribon Elementary School Manga Awards, “Almost a Manga Artist” prize
  • Young Artist Encouragement Award, Design Division, 68th Nishinomiya City Exhibition
Interests
Finding good food
From the instructor

I am still learning too, but I hope to share what I have learned and the art I love while enjoying drawing together with everyone.

Instructor illustration — 橋野 萌里
Instructor illustration
03

橋野 萌里

Manga artist, age 24. Osaka Animation College graduate.

Representative work — 橋野 萌里
Representative work
Training & work
  • Manga published in Shonen Gahosha’s convenience-store comic Minna no Shokutaku
Interests
Watching sports, especially high-school baseball, and listening to music
From the instructor

I have always loved drawing. I want to use what I have learned, talk with each student, support their improvement, and enjoy their day-to-day progress together.

Instructor illustration — 中倉 樹
Instructor illustration
04

中倉 樹

Illustrator, age 25. Kyoto Seika University Faculty of Manga graduate.

Representative work — 中倉 樹
Representative work
Training & work
  • Winner of a maid-café sign illustration competition
  • Image character for an idol group and menu artwork for restaurants
Interests
Fan works, baking, nail art, and shopping
From the instructor

Drawing alone is fun, but companions bring another kind of joy and can help us improve faster. Let’s enjoy making work together.

Instructor illustration — 奥田 奈津美
Instructor illustration
05

奥田 奈津美

Illustrator, age 37. Vocational-school graduate.

Representative work — 奥田 奈津美
Representative work
Training & work
  • Illustration selected for an in-car Tokyo Metro advertisement
  • Business-book cover and illustration work for major web media
Interests
Music and board games
From the instructor

Drawing helped me connect with people and society. I hope we can talk often so I can share not only ways to improve, but also the pleasure of drawing.

Instructor illustration — 西端 日奈子
Instructor illustration
06

西端 日奈子

Manga artist, age 24. OCA Osaka Design & Technology College graduate.

Representative work — 西端 日奈子
Representative work
Training & work
  • Awards from Manga Mee and the Dessert monthly awards
Interests
Manga, illustration, fan works, and travel
From the instructor

Improvement starts with continuing to draw, and continuing starts with finding what you genuinely enjoy. I will help you discover what is most fun for you to draw.

Instructor illustration — 西田 壮志
Instructor illustration
07

西田 壮志

Manga artist, age 24. Konan Modeling High School and Kobe Design University manga-expression graduate.

Representative work — 西田 壮志
Representative work
Training & work
  • New Generation Shonen Sunday Encouragement Award
Interests
Music and film
From the instructor

I use my experience to support both people who want to draw for fun and those aiming higher. Let’s develop what you love together.

Instructor illustration — 森﨑 志穂
Instructor illustration
08

森﨑 志穂

Illustrator, age 22. Kyoto Seika University story-manga course graduate.

Representative work — 森﨑 志穂
Representative work
Training & work
  • Bronze award for the Nara Daimonji Okuribi poster design
  • Illustration, thumbnail, and design work
Interests
Films, art museums, and travel
From the instructor

Other people helped me discover the joy of drawing. Now I hope to share that joy while staying close to each student.

Instructor illustration — 藤浦 心音
Instructor illustration
09

藤浦 心音

Illustrator, age 22. Kyoto Seika University printmaking graduate.

Representative work — 藤浦 心音
Representative work
Training & work
  • Privately commissioned illustration and painting
Interests
Reading shonen manga and mystery novels, and gaming
From the instructor

Enjoyment is important to learning and improvement. I hope we can discover the joy of drawing together and inspire one another.

Instructor illustration — 北野 律希
Instructor illustration
10

北野 律希

Manga artist, age 33. Osaka University of Arts character-design graduate.

Representative work — 北野 律希
Representative work
Training & work
  • Weekly Shonen Magazine Encouragement Award
Interests
Reading manga, gaming, and cooking
From the instructor

The joy of completing a drawing is hard to find anywhere else. I use my experience to help more people discover that feeling.

Instructor illustration — 渡邊 慧美
Instructor illustration
11

渡邊 慧美

Illustrator, age 27. Osaka University of Arts design graduate.

Representative work — 渡邊 慧美
Representative work
Training & work
  • Excellence Award at the 68th Osaka High School Art and Craft Exhibition
  • Privately commissioned illustration
Interests
Cat cafés, good food, manga, and anime
From the instructor

The feeling of “I love this” is the strongest energy for drawing. I will do my best to help everyone protect what they love and enjoy making art.

Instructor illustration — 伊達 綾
Instructor illustration
12

伊達 綾

Manga artist, age 35. Osaka University of Arts character-design graduate.

Representative work — 伊達 綾
Representative work
Training & work
  • Privately commissioned manga
  • Professional manga-assistant work
Interests
Fan works, dressmaking, and baking
From the instructor

Why not start with the excitement of drawing a favorite character beautifully or coolly? I explain details carefully, even a single lock of hair or clothing strap.

Instructor illustration — 新城 衿花
Instructor illustration
13

新城 衿花

Office staff, age 30. Osaka University of Arts fine-art graduate; sometimes teaches classes.

Representative work — 新城 衿花
Representative work
Training & work
  • Created ceiling paintings for Shoju-in, a Koyasan Shingon temple in Kyoto
Interests
Music
From the instructor

I usually support students and instructors from the office and sometimes join as an instructor. I hope to help everyone enjoy attending the school.

Bring your work and meet an instructor.

Tell us your interests and goals, and staff will suggest a trial instructor and candidate dates.