ReportsJapan Creator Support Fund Mid-Term Report feat. Katsushika Keita and Inoue Kirin

2025/6/11

Japan Creator Support Fund Mid-Term Report feat. Katsushika Keita and Inoue Kirin

The MINT Project is the manga section of the “Creator Development Program.” This program was implemented based on the Japan Creator Support Fund, which was established by the Japan Arts Council through a supplementary budget from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan. The activities of the selected organizations in various fields such as animation, video games, movies, music, dance, and theater were reported.

In sessions 1 and 2, representatives from each organization shared the progress of their respective project. The MINT Project also presented its past efforts and future activities, as well as its aspirations to nurture manga artists and editors who can work internationally and spread the diversity of Japanese manga abroad.

In session 3, project participants exchanged their thoughts and opinions. Katsushika Keita and his editor, Inoue Kirin of Two Virgins, took the stage. Katsushika stated that he found it extremely beneficial to learn about the North American manga market and its demands from the advisors throughout the three-part lecture series. He also expressed his hope that the connections formed among the participants during the lectures would continue to develop in the future. Additionally, he shared his aspirations, stating that he had received advice from advisors that there was no need to alter his production style for overseas development. He plans to continue his current creative activities and to participate in an American comics event scheduled for September, aiming not only to have readers experience his work firsthand but also to convey the diversity of Japanese manga.

Inoue expressed his gratitude for participating in this project, which allowed him to experience things that would have been difficult to achieve through his own efforts alone. He said that taking the course inspired him to study overseas sales strategies further, and that he spends his days thinking about the best approach to take. Additionally, as the chief editor of the web comic media platform Michikusa he explained that while Japanese manga is often associated with major works like Shonen Jump and Shonen Magazine, there are also unique works created with distinctive techniques, such as Higashi Tokyo machimachi (Diverse East Tokyo), and works that tackle specific social issues. Approximately 80 years have passed since Tezuka Osamu published New Treasure Island and the birth of story manga, and Japanese manga is now more popular than ever overseas. He welcomed the current situation where the diverse expressions of Japanese manga are being recognized overseas and expressed his ambition to play a part in promoting further recognition of the diversity of Japanese manga through this project. Finally, he concluded by stating that opportunities like this one, where alternative works can interact with other genres such as games and anime, will also contribute to ensuring diversity across all media.

Contact
Creator Support Program/Manga section secretariat
Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture (JPIC)
Email: creator-project@jpic.or.jp