Misako

Rocks!

Japanese Manga Artist

Online Educator

Travels from: Lockbourne, OH

“This story hits all the middle school sweet spots-friendship struggles, bullying, popularity, and awkward crushes…. Though this book will have special appeal to manga readers, the universal story and engaging art will delight a wide range of middle schoolers.” — School Library Journal

Misako wanted to move to America since she was 11 after she got a crush on Michael J Fox in Back to the Future. At age 19, she won a scholarship to come to American as an exchange student.

Her first break came when The Onion decided to use her illustrations for their “Savage Love” column. Shortly after Misako scored a two-book deal with Hyperion and a three-book deal with Henry Holt. Her autobiographical comic, Rock and Roll Love was featured in Best Teens Book List by NYPL.

Outside of U.S., she has published four books in Japan. Her latest book “How to learn English with Misako’s method” became the bestseller in Japanese amazon.

Her manga graphic novel, Bounce Back, was released from Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan. It is selected to be on the list of 2021 BEST GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR CHILDREN by American Library Association. The second in the series, Bounce Back 2: No Such Thing as Perfect, released in November of 2023.

She was selected as one of outstanding Japanese artists in NY and invited to meet Japanese Prime Minister Abe and the first lady. After that she started appearing on multiple Japanese TV and radio shows. Also, the BBC and NHK featured her in a documentary about her comic book life. Recently she was featured on NBC TODAY show and collaborated with Playstation to promote Ghostwire: Tokyo.

She has taught manga drawing classes at Metropolitan Museum and Brooklyn Cherry Blossom Festival and given many speeches in various schools all around the U.S.

Besides her book projects, she currently teaches Manga at her online community Learn Manga with Misako where she helps kids learn kawaii manga drawing.

Misako's Featured Titles

No Such Thing as Perfect (Bounce Back #2)

Feiwel & Friends |

November 7, 2023

Middle Grade Manga

Emma is a conscientious student and has good friends. But she can’t help comparing herself to her bright and popular older sister, Julia. Try as she might, Emma can’t seem to please her mom as much as her sister does.

The more Emma measures herself alongside Julia and others, the more pressure she feels to try to change. But trying to be as good at everything as everyone else is exhausting and frustrating.

With help from her friends and basketball teammates, as well as Lexi, the French bulldog she’s dog-sitting, Emma realizes that there’s no such thing as “perfect” – and it feels better to be true to herself, instead of trying to please others. But will other people, especially her mom, understand that Emma may not excel at the same things as her sister?

Once again, Misako Rocks!, creator of Bounce Back, presents a relatable story about friendship and family, with appealing manga-style art that readers will embrace.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, Fiction, Friendship & Community, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade

Bounce Back

Feiwel & Friends |

November 16, 2021

Middle Grade Manga

Lilico, with the help of her cat, must learn to adjust to a new country, a new school, and new pressures in Bounce Back, a middle grade graphic novel from author/illustrator Misako Rocks! about finding your team and finding yourself.

Lilico’s life in Japan is going well. She has great friends and is the captain of the school’s basketball team. She’s happy!

Then comes her parents’ news: they’re moving to America! Before she knows it, Lilico finds herself in Brooklyn, New York, forced to start all over. And that won’t be easy with her closest friends thousands of miles away or a school bully who immediately dislikes her.

Luckily, anime-loving Nala and Henry eventually befriend Lilico and with help from them—along with her guardian spirit who looks a lot like her cat, Nicco—Lilico just might figure out where she fits in.

This is age-appropriate, kid-friendly manga for kids – both elementary and middle school – that tells a story about friendship, new beginnings, and doing what you love, no matter what.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Fiction, Friendship & Community, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade

Let’s Make Manga! (Speech and Manga Drawing Workshop)

Audience Size: Any, from small groups to large assemblies
40-60 minutes, Elementary and Middle School

First, I will share a behind the scenes of my book making like Bounce Back series and How to Draw Kawaii Manga series. Your students will get to learn what it’s like to be an artist and how I made my manga books step by step. The rest of the session is a super interactive manga drawing workshop. Your students can choose from various samples that I created ahead of time, and we will draw an original manga character based on their selections. They’ll be surprised at how easy it is to tap into their creativity!

In the end, we’ll have Q&A session. Your students can ask me anything!

A Journey from Japan to U.S. and Manga Drawing Workshop

Audience Size: Any, from small groups to large assemblies
40-60 minutes, High school and College

My speech covers how and why I left Japan at a young age and came to America to become an artist. How I struggled to fit into a new country, a new culture, and a new school. How I tried many new things and failed so many times to reach my goal and how I finally became a successful manga artist in America. After your students hear about my journey, they will be inspired to follow their dreams and take more risks. Try something new and make a few mistakes along the way. Ultimately, I want to inspire students to push themselves outside of their comfort zone and be the best they can be.

The rest of the session is a super interactive manga drawing workshop. Your students can choose from various samples that I created ahead of time, and we will draw an original manga character based on their selections. They’ll be surprised at how easy it is to tap into their creativity!

In the end, we’ll have Q&A session. Your students can ask me anything!

Storytime and Q&A

Audience Size: Any, from small groups to large assemblies
30 – 40 minutes, Elementary and Middle School

We’ll read your favorite pages from my Bounce Back series, and I’ll show your students how and why I created those scenes via photoshop step-by-step! After that, your students can ask me anything!

Popverse | Learn to Draw Manga in 15 Minutes Flat with Misako Rocks!

LIVE Manga Drawing Lesson and Celebrate BOUNCE BACK!

Nasher News | An exclusive interview with Japanese Manga artist Misako Rocks

Snack Time with MacKids Books: Bounce Back by Misako Rocks!

“Our students were so excited to learn the art of drawing Manga characters; they soaked up every minute of instruction and many of their end results were amazing. We have true talent at our campuses. Thank you to Misako for bringing out their talent.” — George Washington Middle School, 2023

“I had about 40 students who participated in the event. The students really enjoyed learning how to draw Manga characters and even more so that multiple characters were presented. We currently do not have an Art class at my campus, so this opportunity was amazing for our students to participate in. This is the 3rd time we have Misako, and there were several students who have participated every time because they love her and her presentation.” — Salvador Garcia Middle School, 2023

“Misako’s presentation was wonderful and enjoyable. Her energy and enthusiasm sparked excitement in the participants! It was a nice touch that she shared her personal journey with its obstacles and challenges. I think hearing that was inspiring for the participants.” — Manitowoc Public Library, 2023

“Many times, Misako Rocks has encouraged me with the phrase ‘Ganbatte’ – roughly translating to ‘Go for it!’ in Japanese. Her characters – especially Jermain – impart this same inspiring energy… take-charge girls that don’t wimp out in the face of adversity!” — Craig Thompson

”Detective Jermain is a fresh-faced Nancy Drew for today’s manga generation, a sassy teen sleuth with multiple mysteries to solve: why are her teachers behaving so weirdly? which of her two childhood playmates should she choose as her boyfriend? and toughest of all, can she become as great a detective as her ex-Dad? Misako Rocks! will hook you with her blend of intriguing detective thriller with warm- hearted high-school romance.“ — Paul Gravett

“A fast-paced and well-executed story…” — Booklist

“Manga with a heavy dose of cute…this should find a ready crowd of action-oriented shojo fans.” — Kirkus Reviews

“An appealing mix of adventure, female empowerment and romance brought alive by Takashima’s vibrant illustration” — Publishers Weekly

“Great for younger manga readers.” — School Library Journal

Learn Manga with Misako

Learn more about Bounce Back

Misako’s Website

Honors, Awards & Recognition

2009 Woman of the Year by Nikkei Woman Magazine
2021 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List by ALA
2023 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Children Reading List Nominated Titles
New York Public Library’s Best Books for Teens List
Best Selling Author in Japan
Illustrator | The Onion
Manga Educator | Metropolitan Museum & Brooklyn Cherry Blossom Festival