Know your manga

Hagio Moto is a pioneer in shōjo, and a master of emotional depth and sophistication in her storylines. Among her classics is The Poe Clan series, which continues to thrill after 40 years. The story revolves around a secret family of vampanellas (vampires) in 18th- to 20th-century Europe, with beautiful images that draw you into a hidden and dangerous reality. At the beginning of 2018, she was honoured with a rare production of this work at Takarazuka Grand Theatre, much to the delight of her large fan base. And from May 2018, the shōjo magazine Flowers, whose cover you see above, started publishing her new storyline on the theme, picking up 40 years after the series ended – watch this space!