MJ Feature: Looking Back to the Japanese Manga Industry 2006

[Floating_Sakura]

In the manga industry, there was lots of news about manga becoming a TV series or a movie. In this article two editors of comic-related news (“Senpai” and “Kohai”, below) look back at this year, and three critics list their three notable books.

Senpai: Still, TV is very influential. It was thought that the popularity of “Nodame Cantabile” (by Ninomiya Tomoko) had reached its peak last year. However, after it became a TV series, in total 19 million volumes were sold, and it caused a social phenomena. Also, “Hachimitsu to Clover” (by Hawano Chika) and “Death Note” (by Obata Ken) sold more because they became movies.

Kohai: However, the sale of manga magazines dropped 5% compared to last year, and that of manga books likely dropped 3%. The industry is becoming dependant on making a movie, and they don’t publish new titles which promote whole sales.

Senpai: Even though there are fewer and fewer children, publishers created new manga magazines for boys, such as “Monthly Shonen Fang” (Lied Shuppan). I guess they want to raise new titles suitable for media-mix.

Kohai: As for magazines for adults, Beth (Kodansha) was published. It reduced the romantic content and is targeting at “Ohitorisama” or single women. The republished “Monthly Comic Ryu” (Tokuma Shuppan) is targeting at otaku in their 40s. The publishers are looking for new customers by trial and error.

Senpai: This year is also a turning point when popular long series ended, for example, “Hachimitsu and Clover”, “DEATH NOTE”, and “Ron” (by Murakami Motoka).

Kohai: What do you think is the notable title of this year?

Senpai: I cannot miss “Heugemono”. From my personal viewpoint, Shibata Yokusaru’s “Hachiwan Diver” (Shueisha) is good. The story is that “Maid” in Akihabara is a professional shogi gambler. Nagayoshi Takeru’s “Sumire 17-sai!!” is a very critical comedy manga where the protagonist girl is a ventriloquists’ puppet.
Kohai: I think there are many otaku in their late 40s. They sing only anime songs in karaoke.
Senpai: Recently, the number of “Meganekko” idols have been increasing in the real world, and I feel moe…did I just say that? But certainly, the trend now is turning from male otaku to female otaku called “Fujoshi”. Yoshinaga Fumi’s “Oh Oku”(Hakusensha) and Ono Natsume’s “Ristorante Paradiso”(Ohta Shuppan) are popular, even among men.

Kohai: But I am frightened by the stories like the “Reversed Harem” in which men wait on a woman shogun, or where a woman loves a gentleman in spectacles for ages.
Senpai: I know the reason why you can’t marry.

Kohai: I felt deep sympathy with the characters of “Boys on the Run” (by Hanamizawa Kengo, Shogakka), who are awkward in love. My recommendations are: Torino Nako’s “Toriban” (Kodansha), the author's drawing of the nature of Tohoku region makes me feel comfortable, and Morishita Hiromi’s “Osaka Hamlet” (Futabasha) drawing human relations of people in downtown of Osaka. Also, I laughed at Wakasugi Kiminori’s “Detroit Metal City”(Hakusensha) whose story is that a devil like rock star is in fact a weak boy.

Senpai: “Detroit Metal City” had become popular among the Internet before the comic book was published. You know, the ‘net original manga, such as Hoshi Yoriko’s “Kyo no Nekomura-san”(Magazine House), are increasing in numbers.

Kohai: Numbers of web magazines, for example, “MiChao!” (Kodansha) were created. They are now engaged in broadcasting manga for cellular phones. They were increased in numbers to a few times more than last year. In this month, “Shonen Jump” began to broadcast their titles.

Senpai: It is good news that the study of manga became popular. For example, the opening of the Kyoto International Manga Museum, and the publication of the first manga encyclopedia, “Modern Manga Meseum”. They republished many good old titles, so, I am always poor.

Kohai: In more grave news, critic Yonezawa Yoshihiro died. He was on the editorial committees of “Modern Manga Museum” and has developed Comic Market. Looking at the long line of people in hard rain mourning his death at his funeral, I knew he has made a great contribution to manga world.

Senpai: I was also surprised at the sudden death of Harataira who was popular on TV, and Ishikawa Ken who was the right hand person of Nagai Go.

Kohai: Well, popular works and writers must appear again, though. I hope the unpopularity of magazine will stop next year.

Senpai: For instance, I waited in great suspense for the next issue of “Death Note” and “Maihime Terpsechore” every week or every month. I think the comic book cannot bring this kind of fun to the readers.
Anyway, because I have a deadline of dojinshi to be published at the end of the year--edit this article properly.

Kohai: Boo!!

And recommendations

Notable Books by Critics
Murakami Kazuhiko (Critic, Editor)
1. Yamagishi Ryoko “Maihime Terpsechore”, Media Factory, currently 9 volumes – Using ballet, an essential element of shojo manga, the author draws the difficulties of girls living today. The surprising development of the story just before the end of the first part got in the news.
2. Shimura Takako, “Aoi Hana”, Ota Shppan, currently 2 volumes – This is an orthodox school girls manga far from the word, “Fujoshi”. It makes the reader feel touched by the pure love toward the senior student.
3. Yamada Yoshihiro, “Hyougemono”, Kodansha, currently 3 volumes – The way otaku samurai was enthusiastic about tea things made me smile. I knew the mania didn't change througout ages.

Sasakibara Go (Editor)
1. Muramori Tadashi and Hijikata Yuho, “Yukemuri Sniper PART 2 Kacho Fugetsu Hen”, Jitsubono Nihonsha, 2 vellums in total – The collusion of the story is the most impressive thing this year. I was deeply impressed by the quiet human drama that shows the preparation to face society today. It is worth being called “a masterpiece”.
2. Nishi Keiko, “STAY series”, Shogakkan, currently 7 volumes– The story and expressions are deep, and I felt the maturity of the author.
3. Tokuhiro Masaya, “Showa Furo Fushi Densetsu Vampire”, Shueisha, currently 5 volumes. – I cannot help paying attention to this title because the sprited story is still going strong this year.

Tanaka Kaori (comic branch clerk of Junkdo Shoten)
1. Yamada Yoshiyuki, “Heugemono” - I laughed at a samurai Furuta Sasuke (later, Oribe) being incredibly crazy about tea things, and it made me realize that there could be this kind of historical manga.
2. Shiina Kaho, “Kimi ni Todoke”, Shueisha, currently 2 volumes – I was touched by the pure friendship between school girls.
3. Kuze Banko, “Abarenbo Honyasan”, Shishokan, 3 volumes in total – I picked out this because I was respectful toward this for drawing the bookstore clerk's job humorously but faithfully.
I noticed popular manga became more popular after they became movies. The new harvests of this year are #1 and #2.