Misako

Rocks!

Japanese Manga Artist

Online Educator

Travels from: Madison, WI

“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 American 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 new 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. No Such Thing as Perfect (Bounce Back 2) will be released in Nov 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.

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.

Artist/Illustrator, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Female Author, Fiction, Friendship & Community, Graphic Novels, 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.

Artist/Illustrator, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Diversity & Inclusion, Female Author, Fiction, Friendship & Community, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade

Misako Rocks In Person Events!

One session: 30 to 50 min
Audience: 3^rd to 12^th grade

My in-person visits are my absolute favorite way to connect with young readers and I have visited over 100 schools so far. I combine a one-of-a-kind Power Point presentation, along with an inspirational speech and manga drawing workshop all to make this event unforgettable. The goal here is to motivate and challenge students to chase their dreams and face their fears all while having fun and laughing along the way!

I will also create a unique personalized promotional video custom tailored for your event that will include an introduction by me and any other details about the event you want me to share. You are free to use this video whenever and wherever you want to promote this event. It will help your students get to know a little about me and help get them pumped up and inspired for my visit.

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 in to 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.

My manga drawing workshop is super interactive and full of energy. 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. I will demonstrate the process step by step and make it simple enough that even teachers can get involved and draw as well. Your students will be surprised at how easy it is to tap into their creativity and create something new.

I will also share a behind-the-scenes look at my process making the book BOUNCE BACK. Your students will get to learn what it’s like to be an artist and how I made this book step by step.

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

What Misako needs at in person events:

I will bring my MacBook for my speech. I’ll need a projector, screen, and speakers.
An easel pad or white board to draw. Black markers and color markers or pencils.

What your students need at in person events:

A pencil, eraser, and white plain paper. Color pencils are optional.

Exclusive benefits at in-person events:

After class, I love to spend extra time with your students and talk about manga, anime, Japanese culture and more! If your students have copies of BOUNCE BACK, I’d be happy to do a book signing and give away some personalized kawaii postcards.

Misako Rocks Virtual Events!

One session: 30 to 50 min
Audience: 3^rd to 12^th grade

My virtual events have become extremely popular recently, and I have visited over 50 schools and libraries this way. This setup is the easiest for most organizers and my virtual visit will still include all the same things as my in-person visit. This a quick and economical way to get me in your schools and inspiring your students.

Virtual Setup:

Zoom or Google Meet platform. If your school uses another platform, please let me know!

What your students need at a virtual event:

A pencil, eraser, and white plain paper to draw. Color pencils are optional.

Exclusive benefits at virtual events:

I love to spotlight your students’ drawings in the end of a session and give them direct feedback in front of the class. This will boost their confidence and push their drawing skills. I will also mail you my signed stickers and kawaii postcards for any students who bought a copy of BOUNCE BACK.

LIVE Manga Drawing Lesson and Celebrate BOUNCE BACK!

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

George Washington Middle School, 2023
“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.”

Salvador Garcia 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.”

Manitowoc Public Library, 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.”

The Dalton School, NYC 2023
“Every year Misako steals the show at our annual HeroCon with her high energy drawing lessons that are accessible and engaging for students of all ages. Students not only learn how to draw, they also leave feeling confident and empowered in themselves as artists.”

Forest North Elementary, Austin, TX 2022
“Misako was so engaging & my students loved her behind-the-scenes peek at Bounce Back’s creation, a manga drawing lesson, and learning Japanese culture. I have ten copies of Bounce Back in my library and they’re all always checked out, months later!”

Friends School of Baltimore, 2022
“Misako is a ball of energy and positivity that our students absolutely adored! Our younger students were fascinated with a behind the scenes look at how the art was made for Bounce Back. They also loved participating in the manga drawing lessons. Not only did they create their own manga drawings, they directed Misako how to draw a character! Our high school students loved having the opportunity to have conversations with an expert in Japanese pop culture. We can’t wait for the next book and then to have Misako back to Baltimore!”

Craig Thompson
“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!”

Paul Gravett
”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.“

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

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

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

School Library Journal
“Great for younger manga readers.”

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