View source for Yuu Watase

{{Short description|Japanese manga artist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| name_nonEN    = 渡瀬 悠宇
| nonUS         = ja
| image         = Yuu_Watase.jpg
| image_size    = 
| alt           = 
| caption       = Watase illustrating a sample of ''[[Ceres, Celestial Legend]]'' at [[Lucca Comics]] 2004 in Italy
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1970|3|5}}
| birth_place   = [[Kishiwada, Osaka]], Japan
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| nationality   = Japanese
| area          = [[Mangaka|Manga artist]]
| notable works = {{ubl|''[[Fushigi Yûgi]]''|''[[Ceres, Celestial Legend]]''|''[[Arata: The Legend]]''}}
| awards        = 43rd [[Shogakukan Manga Award]], {{lang|ja-Latn|shōjo}} category
| signature     = 
| signature_alt = 
| website       = {{URL|https://ameblo.jp/wataseyuu}}
| manga artist  = yes
}}

{{nihongo|'''Yuu Watase'''{{efn|name=romanization}}|渡瀬 悠宇|Watase Yuu|born March 5, 1970, in [[Kishiwada, Osaka]]<ref name="BirthDate">{{cite web |script-title=ja:渡瀬悠宇の一覧 |url=https://booklive.jp/focus/author/a_id/4670 |website=BookLive! |access-date=January 18, 2021 |language=ja}}</ref>}} is a Japanese [[Mangaka|manga artist]]. She debuted in 1989 at the age of 18 with the short story "Pajama de Ojama" ({{lang|ja|パジャマでおじゃま}}, "An Intrusion in Pajamas") and has since published more than 50 volumes of [[One-shot (comics)|one-shots]] and long-running [[manga]] series.<ref name="ShojoBeat-Profile">{{cite web |title=Creator Info: Yuu Watase |url=http://www.shojobeat.com/manga/ab/bio.php |website=[[Shojo Beat]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927153833/http://www.shojobeat.com/manga/ab/bio.php |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> One of her most popular titles is ''[[Fushigi Yûgi]]''.<ref name="Fushigi">{{cite magazine |last1=Duffield |first1=Patricia |title=Feature: Watase's Works |url=http://www.mindspring.com/~theduffields/resume/articles/features/watase.htm |magazine=[[Animerica Extra]] |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |volume=4 |issue=6 |date=May 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515203908/http://www.mindspring.com/~theduffields/resume/articles/features/watase.htm |archive-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1998, Watase won the 43rd [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] in the [[Shōjo manga|{{lang|ja-Latn|shōjo|nocat=y}}]] (girls') category for ''[[Ceres, Celestial Legend]]''.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web |script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 |url=https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/kako/ |website=[[Shogakukan]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |language=ja}}</ref> In 2008, she began her first [[Shōnen manga|{{lang|ja-Latn|shōnen|nocat=y}}]] (boys') serialization, ''[[Arata: The Legend]]''.<ref name="ANN-Arata">{{cite web |last1=Mateo |first1=Alex |title=Yuu Watase Plans ''Arata: The Legend'' Manga's Remaining Plot |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-02/yuu-watase-plans-arata-the-legend-manga-remaining-plot/.166961 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |date=December 2, 2020}}</ref>

In 2019, Watase came out as [[X-gender]], a Japanese [[Non-binary gender|non-binary]] gender identity.<ref name="Twitter-Xgender">{{cite tweet |number=1130461270358908928 |user=wataseyuu_ |date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |language=ja |script-title=ja:ブログでもここでも呟いたけど、再度。 漫画にも影響してると思うから。 私はXジェンダーと医師に診断されてて、中身は、男にも女にも寄れるし男でも女でもない。 見た目はちゃんと(20代後半から社会に合わせて)どうせやるならやるでメイクもオシャレもする、それだけ。 女性の身体は否定しないが→ |trans-title=I've mumbled about it on my blog and here, but again. Because I think it affects the manga. I've been diagnosed as X-gender by my doctor, and inside, I can be either male or female, neither male nor female. I look fine (I've been socially conscious since my late 20s), I do my makeup and dress up any way I can, that's all. I don't deny the female body, but... →}}</ref><ref name="ANN-Xgender">{{cite web |last1=Liu |first1=Michelle |title=Best LGBTQ+ Characters of 2019 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-01-01/best-lgbtq-characters-of-2019/.154965 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |date=January 1, 2020 |quote=The same year [2019], ''Fushigi Yugi'' creator Yuu Watase came out as X-gender ...}}</ref><ref name="CBR-Xgender">{{cite web |last1=Adler |first1=Liz |title=''Fushigi Yuugi'': 10 Things That Didn't Age Well |url=https://www.cbr.com/fushigi-yuugi-things-didnt-age-well/ |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |date=February 26, 2020 |quote=Mangaka Yuu Watase came out as X-gender in 2019 ...}}</ref> Following the announcement, an editor for [[Viz Media]]'s [[Shojo Beat#Imprints|Shojo Beat]] imprint clarified that Watase's [[Preferred pronouns|pronouns]] in English are still "she" and "her".<ref name="EnglishPronouns">{{cite web |title='I heard that Yuu Watase came out as X-Gender?' |url=https://officialshojobeat.tumblr.com/post/188142422969/i-heard-that-yuu-watase-came-out-as-x-gender-do |website=[[Shojo Beat|Official Shojo Beat]] |access-date=January 18, 2021 |date=October 4, 2019 |quote=I checked before our announcement. Watase's preferred pronouns are she/her.}}</ref>

==Early career and methods==
{{BLP sources section|date=January 2021}}
Watase developed an interest in drawing manga at a young age. However, Watase did not receive any formal training until after high school when she went to a private art school. There she was taught how to draw manga, but because her first short story, "Pajama de Ojama", had already debuted, Watase quit in the middle of it.<!-- <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.yuuwatase.de/interviews.php|title=Y u u * W a t a s e * F a n p a g e|website=www.yuuwatase.de|access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref> Fansites are not reliable sources. Only use this as a jumping-off point to find and cite the actual interview/s. -->

Watase prefers to work with more traditional methods, because she believes the traditional methods have more feelings. Despite finding new media jarring, Watase has expressed a desire to work with new media as well. While Watase mostly works with colored inks and markers, she has used digital programs such as [[Photoshop]] to enhance traditional work.

==Issues in career==
In a 2014 blog post, Watase detailed some of the issues that she faced as a manga artist. A former editor for ''[[Arata: The Legend]]'' continuously asked Watase to redraw scenes that he did not like or understand. Watase was doing redraws all day and pulling late nights just to meet the next morning's deadlines. Because of the constant cycle, Watase began to lose interest in working on the manga for the fans or even the story. She was simply working to try and get it approved for the weekly publication.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-01-29/mangaka-yuu-watase-blogs-about-editorial-harassment|last1=Dong|first1=Bamboo|title=Mangaka Yuu Watase Blogs About Editorial Harassment|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=2017-03-28|date=2014-01-29|language=en}}</ref>

==Works==

===Watase Yuu Flower Comics===
* ''[[Fushigi Yûgi]]'' – 18 vols.
* ''[[Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden]]'' – 12 vols. 
* ''[[Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki|Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Ibun]]'' – (oneshot)
* ''[[Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki]]'' – ongoing, first vol. released in April 2018. On hiatus from May 2018 (officially August 2018) – May 2024, resuming May 28th on a monthly schedule.
* ''[[Shishunki Miman Okotowari]]'' – 3 vols.
* ''[[Zoku Shishunki Miman Okotowari]]'' – 3 vols.
* ''[[Shishunki Miman Okotowari Kanketsu Hen]]'' – 1 vol.
* ''Epotoransu! Mai'' – 2 vols.
* ''[[Ceres, Celestial Legend]]'' (''Ayashi no Ceres'') – 14 vols.
* ''[[Appare Jipangu!]]'' – 3 vols.
* ''[[Imadoki!]]'' – 5 vols.
* ''[[Alice 19th]]'' – 7 vols.
* ''[[Absolute Boyfriend]]'' (''Zettai Kareshi'') – 6 vols.
* ''[[Sakura-Gari]]'' – 3 vols.

===Shōnen Sunday Comics===
* ''[[Arata: The Legend]]'' (''Arata Kangatari'') – 24 vols.

===Watase Yuu Masterpiece Collection===
# ''Gomen Asobase!''
# ''Magical''
# ''Otenami Haiken!''
# ''Suna no Tiara''
# ''Mint de Kiss Me''

===YuuTopia Collection===
# ''Oishii Study''
# ''Musubiya Nanako''

===Yuu Watase Best Selection===
* '''''Sunde ni Touch'''''
# ''Sunde ni TOUCH''
# ''COUPLE''
# ''Hatsuki Triangle''
# ''Houkago Gensou''
# ''700 Nichi no Blue''

* '''''Perfect Lovers'''''
# ''PERFECT LOVERS''
# ''Otome no Jijyou''
# ''Genseika''
# ''Mint de Kiss Me''
# ''Pajama de Ojama''
# ''Pajama de Meiro (Labyrinth)''

===Watase Yuu Flower Comics Deluxe, Kanzenban, Shogakukan Bunko===

====Bunkoban====
* ''Fushigi Yūgi Bunko'' – 10 vols.
* ''Ayashi no Ceres (Ceres, Celestial Legend) Bunko'' – 7 vols.
* ''Alice 19th Bunko'' – 4 vols.
* ''Zettai Kareshi Bunko'' – 3 vols.
* ''Imadoki! Bunko'' – 3 vols.
* ''Shishunki Miman Okotowari Bunko'' – 3 vols.

====Kanzenban====
* ''Fushigi Yūgi Kanzenban'' – 9 vols.

====Flower Comics Deluxe====
# ''Shishunki Miman Okotowari''
# ''Shishunki Miman Okotowari/Zoku Shishunki Miman Okotowari''
# ''Zoku Shishunki Miman Okotowari''
# ''Pajama de Ojama''
# ''Mint de Kiss Me''
# ''Epotoransu! Mai''

===Artbooks===
* ''Watase Yuu Illustration Collection Fushigi Yūgi''
* ''Watase Yuu Illustration Collection – Part 2 Fushigi Yūgi Animation World''
* ''"Ayashi no Ceres" Illustration Collection Tsumugi Uta ~Amatsu Sora Naru Hito o Kofutote~''
* ''Yuu Watase Post Card Book I''
* ''Yuu Watase Post Card Book II''

===Novels===
* ''Shishunki Miman Okotowari'' – 4 vols.
* ''Fushigi Yūgi'' – 18 vols.
* ''Ayashi no Ceres'' – 6 vols.
* ''Fushigi Yūgi: Genbu Kaiden'' – 1 vol.
* ''Absolute Boyfriend'' – 6 vols.
* ''Masei Kishin Den (Illustration)''
* ''Yada ze! (Illustration)''
* ''Piratica (Illustration)''

==Notes==
{{notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=romanization|Her name is romanized as "Yû Watase" in earlier printings of [[Viz Media]]'s publications of ''[[Fushigi Yûgi]]'', ''[[Alice 19th]]'', and ''[[Ceres, Celestial Legend]]'', while in Viz Media's ''[[Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden]]'' and ''[[Absolute Boyfriend]]'' her name is romanized as "Yuu Watase". In [[Chuang Yi]]'s English-language versions of ''Fushigi Yugi'' (spelled without a [[Macron (diacritic)|macron]] or [[circumflex]]), her name is romanized as "Yu Watase". Yuu Watase is a pen name. She chose "Yuu" because she liked the name.<!-- <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/geek/tetrisnomiko/mangaka/wataseinterview.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040410223840/http://www.angelfire.com/geek/tetrisnomiko/mangaka/wataseinterview.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2004|title=Watase Yuu Interview!|website=[[Angelfire]]|access-date=2017-03-28}}</ref> Please cite the actual book (title, date, ISBN, page number, etc.). The fan translation of the interview is a good jumping-off point, but fansites are not reliable sources. -->}}
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Anime and Manga}}
* {{Official website|https://ameblo.jp/wataseyuu|Official blog}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Twitter|wataseyuu_}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{anime News Network|people|646|Yuu Watase}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080210040124/http://www.akadot.com/story.php?id=134 Q&A at Anime Expo 2000] (defunct; link via the [[Wayback Machine]])
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100322205504/http://www.shonensunday.com/articles/007/ Interview with ''Shonen Sunday''] (defunct; link via the Wayback Machine)

{{Fushigi Yūgi}}
{{Shogakukan Manga Award - Shōjo}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Watase, Yuu}}
[[Category:Yuu Watase| ]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Manga artists from Osaka Prefecture]]
[[Category:People from Kishiwada, Osaka]]
[[Category:Japanese non-binary people]]
[[Category:Non-binary artists]]
[[Category:Non-binary writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese LGBTQ people]]