Spotlight: Fujiko Fujio
 

Fujiko F. Fujio
Hiroshi Fujimoto
December 1, 1933 - September 21, 1996
Takaoka, Toyama prefecture, Japan

Major Works:
- Obake no Q-taro (1964-1969, 1971-1974)
- Paaman (1966-1968, 1983-1986)
- 21-emon (1968-1969, 1981)
- Moja-ko (1969-1970)
- Ume-boshi Denka (1969)
- Doraemon (1970-1996)
- Kiteretsu Daihyakka (1974-1977)
- Esper Mami (1977-1982)
- Chimpui (1985, 1987-1988)

Awards:
- 8th Shogakukan Manga Award – 1963
- 27th Shogakukan Manga Award – 1981
- Japan Cartoonist Association Excellence Award – 1973, 1982
- 23rd Education Minister Award from the Japan Cartoonist Association – 1994
- Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Manga Grand Prix Award - 1997



Fujiko Fujio A.
Motoo Abiko
March 10, 1934
Hyomi, Toyoma prefecture, Japan

Major Works:
- Obake no Q-taro (1964-1969, 1971-1974)
- Ninja Hattori-kun (1964-1968, 1981-1988)
- Kaibutsu-kun (1965-1969, 1980-1982; 1972)
- Warau Salesman (1968-1971, 1989-1996)
- Manga-michi (1970-1972, 1977-1982, 1986; 1986-1988; 1989-1990, 1995 to the present)
- Mataro ga kuru!! (1972-1975)
- Pro Golfer Saru (1974-1980; 1982-1988; 1989; 1999 to the present)
- Shadow Shokai Henkiro (1976-1977)
- Shonen Jidai (1978-1979)

Awards:
- 8th Shogakukan Manga Award – 1963
- 27th Shogakukan Manga Award – 1981
- Japan Cartoonist Association Excellence Award – 1973, 1982


Almost everyone in Japan recognizes the name Doraemon, and its creator Fujiko Fujio. So, who is this Fujiko Fujio? What, never heard of him? What if I said he is on the same level of Tezuka Osamu? So now that I have your attention (hopefully), allow me to introduce you to the life of two of the most successful mangaka in the world. Why two you ask? Fujiko Fujio was the pen name of two men, who drew comics as a team. Although still not well-known in the U.S., the two creators’ works are enjoyed by children and adults throughout the world.



In 1943, Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko met each other when they were in the fifth grade of elementary school, where they began creating manga as a joint work, and continued to do so after junior high.

In 1952, under the pen name Fujiko Fujio, the pair made their debut with the comic Tenshi no Tama-chan in Manga Shounen, the first major magazine devoted to manga. In 1954 the two moved to the Tokiwa-so apartment building in Shiinamachi, Tokyo, where now legendary but then up-and-coming mangaka such as Tezuka Osamu, Shotaro Ishinomori (Ishimori) and Fujio Akatsuka initially acquired knowledge to their craft, met up with their colleagues, and pitted their skills against each other.

The Tokiwa-so crew

Two years later, the two organized the Shin Manga-to, with artists such as Fujio Akatsuka and Shotaro Ishimori. In 1963 they started to produce animations, forming Studio Zero. Some of the works produced by Studio Zero include episodes of Astro Boy, Cyborg 007, and Doraemon. However, the anime boom of the 60s led to many artists being unable to cope with the demand, causing many of the artists at Studio Zero, including Fujiko Fujio, to leave and focus on drawing manga.

The Road to Fame

In 1964, the pair published their first blockbuster serial comic Obake no Q-taro (literally Q-Taro the Ghost) in Shounen Sunday. Q-Taro was about a rather cute ghost who haunts an ordinary Japanese household, and eventually makes friends with the young boy of the family. In 1965 Q-Taro was established as a cultural phenomenon by the broadcast of the first animated episode, and the name became synonymous with comics for children.

Afterwards, the pair continually produced works exploring children’s daily life and childhood dreams, winning numerous awards along the way. Some of their other fondly regarded classics include: Ninja Hattori-kun, a story about a young ninja who takes part in all kinds of adventures with modern Japanese children; Kaibutsu-kun, a comedy about a young monster prince who takes part in all kinds of adventures with modern Japanese children (sounds familiar?); and Paaman...do I really need to explain the plot? Fujiko Fujio became known around the world, their works were translated into more than a dozen languages.

Doraemon's favorite dessert

The Robot Cat Without Ears

Their biggest success came with the creation of their long running mega-hit Doraemon in 1970, serialized in children’s magazines. Just about anyone in Japan will recognize the name Doraemon, whose humorous story revolves around a fourth-grade boy named Nobita that is so weak, unlucky, and lazy that his descendants from the 22nd century had to send the blue cat-robot Doraemon back in time to help him out.

With futuristic gadgets stashed in his pocket to solve problems and make children's dreams come true, the comic depicts the many adventures and dreams of childhood in the fourth grade. It was popular not only young children but also with adults, and the duo of Doraemon and Nobita soon became famous throughout the world. The manga has become synonymous with children’s manga in Japan, the equivalent of Mickey Mouse in the U.S., and many of Doraemon’s gadgets such as the Dokodemo Door (The Anywhere Door) and the Takecopter (Bamboo-copter) has become everyone’s dream tools. It is said that Mr. Fujimoto initially came up with Doraemon in 1969 (or 1970) after tripping on his young daughter's toy, hearing a neighborhood cat fight, and wishing he had a machine to generate a new manga concept. Between the toy's shape, the cats' yowling, and the longing for a machine to solve his problems, he came up with a robot cat with a pocket containing all sorts of problem-solving gadgets. (From a supplement to a children's manga magazine)

Today, with forty-five volumes published in more than a dozen languages, 19 full-length books (which were the basis for the Doraemon movies), and sales totaling some 100 million, it is one of Japan’s all-time best sellers. The animated version of Doraemon still continues to this day with over 30 movies and spin-offs, drawing a total audience of close to 63 million.



In the end of 1987, Fujimoto and Abiko went their separate ways under the pen name of Fujiko Fujio, each of them pursuing their own careers, under the name Fujiko Fujio A. and Fujiko Fujio F. (changed to Fujiko F. Fujio in 1989) respectively. (Fujimoto's liver condition, which apparently led to his death, was one of the cited reason for the split.)


Fujiko Fujio A. (Abiko) published manga aimed at adult audiences with black humor, depicting darker subjects such as greed and treachery. He showed enormous skill in psychological descriptions with works such as Warau Seerusuman (The Laughing Salesman) and Pro Golfer Saru.


On the other hand, Fujiko F. Fujio (Fujimoto) continued to create stories depicting the mysterious and wonderful things that take place during childhood with works such as Kiteretsu Daihyakka (Kiteretsu's Encyclopaedia) and Esper Mami.

In September 21, 1996 while still working, Fujimoto collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. On September 23 Fujimoto passed away in Tokyo's Keioh University Hospital at 2:10 AM of liver failure. He is survived by his wife, Masako, and three children.


Today, the work of Fujiko Fujio is read by more than 130 million readers around the world. In March 2005, Dora World announced that Doraemon Plus, the first new Doraemon manga since Fujiko F. Fujio's death 9 year ago, will go on sale March 25th. Published by TentoMushi Comics, the new comic will be a Masterpiece collection of stories not printed in the original 45 volumes of Doraemon. The name Fujiko Fujio will live on forever in people’s heart, alongside other legends such as Tezuka Osamu and Fujio Akatsuka.

For more information on Fujiko Fujio visit:
http://www.kyoto-su.ac.jp/informatio...s/fujikof.html
http://fujiko-fujio.biography.ms/

For more information on Tokiwa-so visit:
http://en.tezuka.co.jp/tomm/contents...ex/02/205.html

For more information on Doraemon visit:
http://www.time.com/time/asia/featur.../doraemon.html
http://www.ex.org/4.8/35-manga_doraemon.html
http://www.mit.edu/people/rei/MANGA/Doraemon.html

I'm just going to add that "Manga-michi" (The Way of the Manga) by Fujiko A is a great autobiographical read for anyone interested in him or other authors of his time.