Arabesque

Arabesque, written and illustrated by Ryouko Yamagishi, was originally serialized in the shoujo manga magazine Margaret between 1971 and 1975. The narrative follows Nonnon, a young girl from Ukraine whose pursuit of excellence in classical ballet leads her into a world of intense artistic rivalry and personal discovery. Created during a period when Yamagishi was heavily exploring themes of dance and the human psyche, the work is widely cited for its influence on the sports and arts manga genres, particularly for its sophisticated portrayal of the grueling physical and emotional labor required of professional dancers.

Yamagishi's artistic style in Arabesque is marked by an elegant, flowing aesthetic that mirrors the grace of ballet itself. By utilizing delicate linework and a focus on the expressive movement of the body, she sought to capture both the ethereal beauty of the stage and the stark reality behind the scenes. Upon its release, the series was received as a landmark title that elevated the artistic potential of shoujo manga, helping to establish Yamagishi as a master of character-driven storytelling who consistently pushed the boundaries of the medium's visual language.