Small island in Ehime has big dreams with manga school

Asahi Shimbun

18-05-2025

Osamu Hasebe, left, and Sadamu Kimura pose in June 2016 against the backdrop of a wall painting based on popular manga artist Takatoshi Yamada's work on Takaikamishima island in Ehime Prefecture. (Provided by Kamijia town)
KAMIJIMA, Ehime Prefecture—With only 11 inhabitants, the tiny isle of Takaikamishima in the Seto Inland Sea is trying to stave off extinction by becoming the 'manga island of the world.'
It opened a manga school in late April as an extension of a decades-long effort to rejuvenate the local community with manga-themed art.
The school is the brainchild of Sadamu Kimura, 74, one of the few residents left on the island, and his friend Osamu Hasebe, who runs a medical corporation in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Kimura was compelled to do something to sustain the island after its population continued to decline from 184 in 1970.
Hasebe, 76, also felt he should weigh in because he was mesmerized by the scenery of Takaikamishima when he visited the island for the first time about two decades ago at Kimura's invitation.
Hasebe has since been a regular visitor, spending about 10 days each month on the island.
When the two men were asked to come up with a design for the outer wall of the community hall, they decided on manga illustrations to appeal to both children and adults.
Hasebe consulted famed 'mangaka' (manga creator) Takatoshi Yamada and one of his acquaintances for advice.
Yamada, 66, is the artist behind the popular 'Dr. Koto's Clinic' manga, which was adapted for a TV drama series and movies. It is set on a small, outlying island that struggled to bring in a doctor.
The artist, seeing a parallel to the plight of Takaikamishima, drew his original painting from 'Dr. Koto's Clinic' for the project.
Sign makers completed the wall painting in 2016 based on Yamada's original picture.
Other renowned creators joined the project at Yamada's urging.
The 1.34-square-kilometer island is now home to more than 30 illustrations decorating the walls of uninhabited homes and other structures.
The Takaikamishima Manga School is aimed at getting more people interested and involved in the island's affairs.
'One of the graduates may become a famous mangaka some day,' Kimura said. 'Some may even choose to live on the island because manga artists can work remotely.'
The school's opening ceremony was held on April 27, with Shinbo Nomura, creator of 'Tsuru Pika Hagemaru,' Yuichi Oshiyama, creator of 'Abare Hanagumi,' and Tomoko Tsukamoto, creator of 'Koi wa Hanairo Mimozairo,' attending.
Twenty-three elementary and junior high school students from Kamijima town, which consists of Takaikamishima and many other inhabited or uninhabited islands, attended a workshop held that day.
The manga school offers six lessons--two full-day classes a month--from late May to late July. The fee is 80,000 yen ($555), which includes accommodations with meals.
The classes are given at a school building that had been closed after families moved out.
The creators of the original wall paintings will teach students how to draw characters, backgrounds, robots and other machines, as well as how to develop a story.
Anybody aspiring to become a manga artist can apply.
The school has slots for up to 30 enrollees.
Masanori Baba, a new resident of the island, has handled preparations toward the school's opening.
The 50-year-old moved to the island in April last year with his wife and their two school-age daughters from Aichi Prefecture, raising the island's population to 11.
Baba was working at a small factory in Aichi Prefecture when he considered making a fresh start in a new environment. He learned about Takaikamishima while checking potential relocation sites.
He has worn many hats since moving to the island.
Apart from doing clerical work for the school, he is employed at a guest house and eatery operated by Nataore no Ki (island tea olive), an organization founded by islanders and supporters living outside Takaikamishima.
This April, Baba succeeded Kimura as head of the association of local residents.
Baba hopes aspiring artists can benefit greatly at the island's manga school.
'Time passes slowly here with abundant nature and a community evoking a bygone era, providing inspiration for creativity,' he said. 'In addition, enrollees can learn manga techniques from prominent mangaka.'