Manga Artist Kotobuki Shiriagari

On this episode, we're featuring Kotobuki Shiriagari, the artist who is popular for Heta-uma styled parody/comedy manga. He debuted in 1985 as a manga artist with "Electric Spring" while he was still a full-time salaried worker. Since 1994, he became an independent full-time manga artist and went on to release fantastical and literary works one after another. In 2014, he is said to be one of Japan's leading artists, such as winning the Medal with Purple Ribbon in the Spring Conferment of Decorations for his creative activities outside the boundaries of a manga artist. He has even released an original manga in "Tezucomi," the magazine which was recently launched to commemorate the 90th year since the birth of Osamu Tezuka. His works have been drawing attention outside Japan as well, including "Manga from that day" themed on an earthquake disaster which was exhibited at the largest overseas manga exhibition being held at The British Museum. Coming up in the program, we'll invite Kotobuki Shiriagari as our studio guest to talk about the behind-the-scene creation story of "Oh No! Mamoru-kun" and what drives him to create unique and diverse styles of manga.