Aoi Hiiragi  

Hiiragi grew up in Mibu, Shimotsuga, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Currently she lives in Hakodate, Hokkaidō. Her manga debut was with Cobalt Blue no Hitoshizuku in Ribon Original magazine in 1984. Some of her most notable works include Hoshi no Hitomi no Silhouette and Giniro no Harmony. However, she is best known for Whisper of the Heart manga which was later adapted into an anime film by Studio Ghibli. The Cat Returns, also animated by Studio Ghibli, was another work of hers that was released as a sequel to Whisper but not a continuation of its storyline.