Sunao Yoshida

Sunao Yoshida alongside the two main characters of Trinity Blood, Abel Nightroad and Esther Blanchett

Sunao Yoshida (吉田直 Yoshida Sunao) is the pen name of late Japanese novelist Sunao Matsumoto (October 24, 1969 – July 15, 2004). He was born in Fukuoka Prefecture and graduated from La Salle junior/senior high school in Kagoshima. He attended Waseda University and earned a Master's degree from Kyoto University. Yoshida died of a lung blockage in 2004.

Yoshida was known primarily for "Light novels," a category in Japanese publishing that includes youth-oriented stories, often featuring anime-style cover illustrations.

In 1997, Yoshida was awarded the Sneaker Taisho literary prize for his debut novel, Genocide Angel. He was the author of the novel series Trinity Blood, which was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's The Sneaker magazine. The popularity of The Sneaker dropped significantly after Yoshida's death. The Trinity Blood series was published in North America by Tokyopop.

Two years after Yoshida's death, from January to October 2006, his home village of Ashiyamachi, Fukuoka, in conjunction with publishers Kadokawa Shoten, Gonzo and Broccoli, held a "Sunao Exhibit" to memorialize his achievements.

Gainax's scheduled project Bushilord was indefinitely delayed after his death, as he was supposed to be its world designer.

Publications

• Jenosaido Enjeru - Hangyaku Kamigami. (Genocide Angel: Treason of the Gods) 1997. Kadogawa Shoten.
• Toriniti Burado Rage Against the Moons. (Trinity Blood: Rage Against the Moons) six volumes, 2001-2004. Kadogawa Shoten.
• Toriniti Burado Reborn on the Mars. (Trinity Blood: Reborn on Mars) six volumes, 2001-2003. Kadogawa Shoten.
• Toriniti Burado Reborn on the Mars "Kyokko no Kiba". (Trinity Blood: Reborn on Mars 7, Aurora's Tusk) unfinished.