Okano started creating manga while an art student in college. In 1982, she debuted with Esther, Please through the girls’ monthly manga magazine Petit Flower. In 1984, she published her major work Fancy Dance (1984-1990), a story about a Buddhist monk who is being trained to succeed the temple master. It was adapted into a live action lm by director Masayuki Shubo (director of Let’s Dance). In 1989, she published Ryogoku Oshare Rikishi (Ryogoku Fancy Sumo Wrestler, 1989-1990), about the world of sumo wrestlers, in the boys’ weekly Magazine Big Comic Spirits. The popularity of this work caused a surge of interest in sumo in Japan, revitalizing the national sport and making it attractive to young people.