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Asahi Shimbun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Noted manga artist finally opens up about war experience
Having spent part of his childhood in northern China, manga maestro Tetsuya Chiba knew firsthand about the horrors of war and its aftermath. Yet, he ignored the subject for many years. 'I never thought my memory of war would become material for my manga,' said the creator of 'Ashita no Joe' (Tomorrow's Joe). 'War is nothing but sadness as well as ghastly and barbaric. I considered manga to be something that would energize the reader and allow them to lead a good life from tomorrow like the protagonist.' But Chiba, 86, now firmly believes that manga has the power to build peace. It took him decades to reach that point. For years after making his debut as a manga artist at age 17, Chiba did not dip into his wartime memories despite his experiences in what was then Manchuria. But his thinking changed around the mid-1960s when war manga became all the rage. 'All the works depicted the protagonist as a hero,' said Chiba, the first manga artist to be awarded the Order of Culture. 'They shot down enemy fighters, sank battleships and returned to base with a sense of fulfillment. That really caught me by surprise.' He recalled thinking that if children read violent manga, they would get the mistaken impression that war was cool. Between 1963 and 1965, he serialized 'Shiden Kai no Taka' (The hawk of Shiden Kai fighters). The protagonist, Jotaro Taki, was a pilot of the Shiden Kai fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy. NEW REALISM What made Chiba's works stand out was the way he depicted not only the successes and heartaches encountered by the Japanese pilots, but also the American families who lost loved ones due to the bombings by the Japanese planes. He wanted to show that war is a tragedy for all sides. 'Even if I say I know about war, it was only a little since I was a child,' the artist said. Before drawing the manga, Chiba made a point of doing extensive research, visiting bases around Japan and reading the accounts of soldiers who survived as well as those who died while still young. He said it was a heartbreaking experience. When writing the war manga 'Shiden Kai no Taka,' Chiba decided the protagonist, Taki, needed to have a girlfriend as well as a mother he cherished dearly. 'I thought about what kind of life he would lead,' Chiba said. 'I thought he would likely become a good elementary school teacher. But it became difficult when I kept thinking about it, and there were nights when I could not get to sleep.' In the end, Taki is ordered on a suicide kamikaze mission. 'Even if he had a goal in life, he must perish by becoming a human bomb at the order of his superior, even if it was for the good of the nation,' Chiba said. Even after drawing that manga, Chiba never touched upon his own wartime experience. He remembered being thrown into the chaos of the war when it ended on Aug. 15, 1945, as local Chinese began rioting with the approach of Soviet forces. It was also bitterly cold. He felt close to death all the time. Chiba recalled playing with a friend only to find he had died during a sudden attack while right next to him and that flies had gathered over the body. He managed to board a ship taking Japanese home and noted that many passengers died on the voyage to Japan. The bodies were wrapped in cloth and dumped overboard. Those images remained etched in Chiba's mind, even when he was busy drawing several serialized manga simultaneously. The depiction in 'Ashita no Joe' of a boxer trying to make his weight before a fight coincided with Chiba's own feelings of hunger aboard the ship that brought him back to Japan. Childhood memories of the war returned when Chiba drew scenes for his manga about the Korean War. He said his experiences in Manchuria prior to returning to Japan gave him the footing to flourish as a manga artist. A Chinese friend of his father's allowed Chiba and his siblings to live secretly in an attic. Chiba came up with stories and drawings to entertain his younger brothers. 'That experience created the foundation for me as a manga artist,' Chiba said. 'I realized then that everything was connected. By that I mean during and after the war.' In his current serialization 'Hinemosunotari Nikki' (Diary at a languid pace), Chiba has drawn upon those war experiences. Due to failing eyesight, Chiba said he needed a magnifying glass to draw. With every deadline, he thought it might be the last manga he ever drew. But he took satisfaction in knowing that noted manga artists such as Shigeru Mizuki and Takashi Yanase drew well into their 90s. So, he reckons he has a few more years left. Chiba is also impressed by the works of younger manga artists who have created works based on the wartime experiences of their parents and grandparents. 'It is very difficult for those with no direct knowledge of war to research and draw in detail,' Chiba said. 'I am heartened and grateful that there are younger artists willing to take on that difficult task.' In his view, manga can contribute to a better world. 'If manga artists around the world drew works about what they thought about war, and if children who did not know about war read those manga, I am hopeful that when they grow up, they will share good ideas,' he said.
Tokyo Weekender
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
205 Japanese Manga Artists Contribute to Charity Auction for Noto Earthquake Victims
The Japan Cartoonists Association is hosting a charity auction titled 'Manga de GO!' to support victims of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. This unprecedented initiative has gathered an impressive 278 color illustrations from 205 manga artists, making it the association's largest charity auction to date. List of Contents: A Massive Manga Initiative Auction Details and Timeline Star-Studded Roster of Participating Artists Supporting Recovery Efforts Through Art Related Posts Illustration on the right by Yusuke Murata (One punch man, eyeshield 21) A Massive Manga Initiative Led by Association Chairman Tetsuya Chiba (creator of Ashita no Joe ), Board Chairperson Machiko Satonaka (known for Lady Ann ), and board member Go Nagai (famous for Devilman and Mazinger Z )—who is originally from Wajima City in the affected region—the charity auction represents a significant show of solidarity from Japan's manga community. The auction includes collaborative illustrations between different artists, further enhancing the unique value of these charitable offerings. 'This is our largest charity auction ever organized,' said a representative from the Japan Cartoonists Association. 'The overwhelming response from artists across generations demonstrates the manga community's commitment to supporting those affected by this disaster.' Auction Details and Timeline The illustrations will be released in five weekly batches on Yahoo Auctions, with the first batch going live on May 28 and the final batch ending on June 1. After deducting Yahoo's commission fees and shipping costs, all proceeds will be donated to the Ishikawa Prefecture Donation Window to directly benefit earthquake victims. Interested bidders can visit the official auction page at the Japan Cartoonists Association's Yahoo Auctions account . The donation progress will be reported on the Japan Cartoonists Association's official website and X (formerly Twitter) account. Star-Studded Roster of Participating Artists The auction features original artwork from some of the most celebrated names in manga, including: Hajime Isayama (creator of the global phenomenon Attack on Titan ) Masakazu Katsura (known for I's and Video Girl Ai ) Naoki Urasawa (creator of Monster , 20th Century Boys , and Pluto ) Rumiko Takahashi (the legendary creator behind Inuyasha and Ranma ½ ) Go Nagai ( Devilman , Mazinger Z , and Cutie Honey ) Moto Hagio (pioneer of shōjo manga and creator of The Poe Clan ) Fujiko Fujio (creator of the beloved Doraemon series) Keiko Takemiya (known for the groundbreaking Kaze to Ki no Uta ) Yoshihiro Togashi (creator of Hunter × Hunter and Yu Yu Hakusho ) Hiro Mashima (known for Fairy Tail and Edens Zero ) Eiichiro Oda (creator of the record-breaking One Piece ) Go Nagai's participation is particularly significant as he hails from Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture, one of the areas most severely affected by the January earthquake. His personal connection to the region has helped galvanize support among fellow manga creators. Supporting Recovery Efforts Through Art The Noto Peninsula earthquake struck on January 1, 2024, causing widespread destruction throughout Ishikawa Prefecture and neighboring regions. Many residents are still displaced and facing significant challenges in rebuilding their lives and communities. For manga enthusiasts and collectors, this auction represents not only an opportunity to acquire rare original artwork by legendary manga creators but also a chance to contribute to critical relief efforts for those still recovering from one of Japan's most devastating recent natural disasters. 'The power of manga to connect people and provide hope during difficult times has always been remarkable,' commented a spokesperson for the auction. 'Through this initiative, we hope to harness that power for the benefit of those still struggling in the aftermath of the earthquake.' Interested bidders can participate through Yahoo Auctions Japan, with new batches of illustrations being released weekly until June 1. Related Posts Tokyo Ghoul Creator Sui Ishida Debuts New One-Shot Manga 'DUCKWEED' in Ultra Jump Japan Is Giving Out Free Manga on the Streets of Tokyo
Japan Times
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Manga artist Tetsuya Chiba among invitees to imperial party
Manga artist Tetsuya Chiba, known for his sports works such as "Ashita no Joe," is among invitees to a spring garden party to be held at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 22, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday. Some 1,800 people, including those who have made achievements in various areas, local government officials and their spouses, are invited to the party hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Among other invitees are Isao Aoki, a professional golfer, and Taeko Utsugi, former coach of the women's national softball team. In past garden parties, imperial family members chatted with guests as they walked along a line of them. But there were cases in which some participants got unwell due to the heat and congestion, according to the agency. This time, the imperial couple will walk the same route, but a different route will be established mainly for Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. There will be another route for Princess Aiko, the daughter of the emperor and empress, along with Princess Kako, the second daughter of the crown prince and crown princess. This is the first change to the imperial garden party route since 1963, when the Akasaka Imperial Gardens became the venue for the event. Alcohol beverages, which were not served during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be offered this time.
