[2] Unsure of whether she would be able to make a living off of being a manga artist, Yazawa wound up attending Osaka Mode Gakuen [ja][5] to become a stylist.
[2] However, once Ribon decided to serialize her works, Yazawa dropped out of school to focus on drawing manga, a decision she describes as "disappointing" and "painful" at the time.
[2] With the help of an editor, Yazawa debuted as a manga artist on her 10th submission to Ribon in 1985 with the short story Ano Natsu.
[4] She provided artwork for singer Juju's single "Iiwake" in 2017 and a celebratory illustration for Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash in 2020, drew a mini-manga featuring characters from Tenshi Nanka ja Nai and Neighborhood Story in 2016, contributed new images to the 2015 Nana calendar, and published a new "Junko's Room" chapter,[12] her first new manga in over three years, in 2013.
[13] From July 20, 2022, to August 8, 2022, Yazawa held an art exhibit titled "All Time Best", featuring original manga manuscripts and illustrations for Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai and her other series.
[4] On January 31, 2024, Yazawa illustrated a promotional visual as part of a collaboration with fashion brand Lulu Felice, who created wedding dresses based on Nana and Neighborhood Story.
[16] Yazawa cites manga artists Fuyumi Ogura [ja] and Ryo Ikuemi as her inspirations, as well as music from the singers Miyuki Nakajima and Yumi Matsutoya.
[2] However, Yazawa also stated that she would return to use dip pens and brushes for Last Quarter as the tools helped her convey the mood of the series.