IWAMOTO NAO

The master of josei fantasy joins us this year, thanks to a collaboration with Fandogamia.

Born in 1975 in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, Nao Iwamoto has established herself—since her mid-2000s debut in the iconic magazine Flowers (Shogakukan)—as one of the most original and acclaimed creators in the josei demographic. Her talent for crafting unique worlds—where medieval fantasy, sliceof-life elements, and romance intertwine with exquisite artwork—has made her a  leading figure in the medium.

Iwamoto quickly demonstrated her brilliance by blending magical elements with everyday life in Machi de Uwasa no Tengu no Ko (2007). This work, which follows the daily life of a tengu demon's daughter in the human world, earned her the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award in 2010.

In 2014, she published the acclaimed Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom. This beautiful single-volume fable about two warring kingdoms not only topped popularity charts in Japan and dazzled critics, but its visual magic also made its way to theaters in 2023 via a stunning movie adaptation by the legendary studio MADHOUSE.

Iwamoto is currently continuing to expand her most ambitious universe: The Seven Knights of the Kingdom of Marronnier (2016–present). The story follows the seven children of General Baribara of Marronnier—each named after a distinctive trait such as "Insomniac," "Cold-Sensitive," or "Fraternal"—as they are sent as ambassadors to neighboring kingdoms to discover their destinies. The series (published in Spain by Fandogamia) continues to rack up successes: it won the Best Josei Manga Award at Manga BCN 2025, and this October 2026 will make the leap to television with a highly anticipated anime adaptation produced by Studio J.C. Staff.

If you are looking for unique adventures, endearing characters, and worlds full of charm, Nao Iwamoto’s work is a must-read—and now you can celebrate it in person.