Fujiko A. Fujio, born Motoo Abiko on March 10, 1934, was the son of a temple priest, born at the ancient Zen temple Kōzen-ji in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture. After losing his father in elementary school, he moved and had a fateful encounter with Hiroshi Fujimoto (later Fujiko F. Fujio) at Teizuka Elementary School in Takaoka.

 

Aspiring to be a manga artist from a young age, he debuted with the co-authored work "Tenshi no Tama-chan" while attending Takaoka High School in Toyama Prefecture. After graduating high school, he joined the Toyama Shimbun newspaper, where his uncle was a managing director, and was responsible for caricatures and interviews in the cultural and news departments. In '54, he left the newspaper to move to Tokyo with Fujimoto to become manga artists. Using the joint pen name Fujiko Fujio, they created numerous hit works, including "Obake no Q-tarō" (a collaboration with Fujimoto) which became a massive hit when adapted into an anime in '65, as well as "Ninja Hattori-kun," "Kaibutsu-kun," "Pro Golfer Saru," and "Matarō ga Kuru!!" They dissolved their partnership in '87 and he continued his career as Fujiko A. Fujio. He passed away on April 6, 2022.

 

"Manga Michi" is an autobiographical work depicting the growth of characters inspired by Fujiko A. Fujio himself, Mitsuo Manga, and his best friend, Shigeru Saino, as they bond through manga. It follows their journey from creating amateur magazines and submitting to manga anthologies to their debut as professional manga artists, honing their skills alongside fellow manga artists in "Tokiwa-so," an apartment building once home to Osamu Tezuka.

 

The manga began serialization in "Weekly Shonen Champion" (Akita Shoten) in 1970, initially as a two-page manga instruction feature titled "Champion Manga Course" (the "Asunaro Arc"). Subsequently, from '77 to '82, the "Risshi Arc" and "Seiun Arc" were serialized in "Weekly Shonen King" (Shonen Gahosha).

After a special "Manga Michi" feature in the September 1986 issue of "CoroCoro Comic" (Shogakukan), the "Shunrai Arc" was serialized from '86 to '88 as a back-of-book manga for "Fujiko Fujio Land" (Chuo Koron Shinsha).

 

Following standalone chapters in '89 and '90, a sequel, "Ai... Shirisomeshi Koro ni..." depicting the adult life of Mitsuo Manga, began serialization in "Big Comic Original Zōkan" (Shogakukan) in '95. It concluded with the final chapter, "Yume no 99 Atarashii Shuppatsu!" (99 Dreams: A New Beginning!) in the May 2013 issue.

 

Spanning over 43 years of serialization, the work became a source of inspiration for many aspiring manga artists. The "MLE Manga Michi" collection features designs from memorable scenes in the story. Four types are available: the colorful "Manga Michi Logo," the intense "Daishippai" (Great Failure), and the motivational "Ketsui" (Determination) and "Botto" (Immersion) for when you need to focus.

 

The series is a treasure trove of iconic scenes and memorable lines, including the delighted "Nmmmai!" (Delicious!) after eating something tasty, suggesting potential for future series. With record-breaking heat expected nationwide this summer, what better way to get through it than by wearing "Manga Michi"!