Kaoru Kurimoto ​

Kaoru Kurimoto was the pen name of Sumiyo Imaoka, a Japanese author known for her Guin Saga series—the longest continuing single-writer's work in the world, consisting of 130 volumes. She also wrote various mystery novels and essays.

Quick Facts ​

• Known for the Guin Saga, a series of fantasy novels.
• The series holds a Guinness World Record for the longest continuing single-writer's narrative work.
• Published over 130 novels.
• Was one of the co-founders of Dragon Age magazine.
• Many of her works volumes have been adapted into anime, manga, and video games.

Background ​

Kurimoto was born in 1953 in Tokyo, Japan. She was raised in a well-to-do family and was educated in private schools. She went on to study at Waseda University where she earned a degree in literature. During her time at the university, she was part of a science fiction and fantasy club and began writing. She published her first novel, Claymore, at the age of twenty in 1972. She wrote hundreds of novels over her career, including the Guin Saga, which ran for 130 volumes and is one of the longest-running novel series in the world. Kurimoto also wrote essays, and she was prolific in the yaoi genre under her male pseudonym Azusa Nakajima. She died in 2009.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Kurimoto's writing style tends to focus on fantasy and adventure, with a large cast of well-rounded characters, intricate plots, and rich world-building. Her work is often characterized by its depth and her ability to play with readers' emotions. She made a huge impact in the world of Japanese literature and has been credited for introducing the concept of serialized novels in Japan. Her "Guin Saga" series is a landmark of the genre and has been influential in the development of manga and anime.

Notable Works ​

• The Guin Saga (1979-2009)
• The Heroic Legend of Arslân (1986-2017)
• Swordsman (1989-1992)
• Mayoeru Yosoji (1999-2004)