Katsuhiro Otomo, who was in january granted with the Grand prix du Festival d’Angoulême will occupy the place of honor at next year's festival that will take place from january 28 to 31 in the french city of Angoulême. Otomo himself will held an special meeting at the theatre of angoulême during which he will talk about the genesis of his master work Akira. The mayor french publisher of his works Éditions Glénat BD, will also curate an exposition where forty cartoonists from all over the world will deliver an original creation inspired by Otomo and his work that will be released as a book too.
Stay tunned to the official channels of the 'Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d’Angoulême':
Website: http://www.bdangouleme.com/
Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/festivalBDangouleme
Katsuhiro Otomo has drawn the key visual for this year's MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL JAPAN「モントルー・ジャズ・フェスティバル・ジャパン」that will take place in Tokyo from October 1st to the 25th. The illustration will be used to promote the festival in posters flyers and more.
MANGA TO UNDERSTAND POSTWAR JAPAN is a book collects a variety of short stories that show the vision of the world that various Japanese manga artist have had of Japan after World War II. The book comes out on time to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. Katsuhiro Otomo's UE O MUITEARUKOU (上を向いて歩こう) story is collected in this book. This story was first collected in a book for the first time in Kodansha's SINGING COMICS Kayō manga Taizenshū (歌謡漫画 大全集) and later in the anthology book SOS TAITOKYO TANKENTAI / OTOMO KATSUHIRO ANTHOLOGY 2.
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Futabasha (双葉社)
Release date: 2015-VII-24
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: 472
Size: 18.8 x 12.8 x 2.5 cm
Retail price: ￥1,512
ISBN-10: 4575309206
ISBN-13: 978-4575309201
Shueisha has published a book that collects the illustrated essays by Katsuhiro Otomo and many other manga artist that were originally published in the monthly Jump X magazine from 2011 to 2014. Katsuhiro Otomo collaborated in a total of 25 issues, each time with a doble page illustrated essay.
Published in Shueisha's GRAND JUMP (グランドジャンプ) magazine in 2015-VII-1.
2 pages | B&W.
Katsuhiro Otomo has collaborated with a two page illustrated essay in the first number of MUSICA NOSTRA (ムジカ・ノストラ), a collaborative series were various manga authors will deal with their love for music. The series will be published in Sueisha's Grand Jump (グランドジャンプ) magazine tha is released on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.
MAGAZINE DETAILS
Publisher: Shueisha (集英社)
Release date: 2015-VII-1
Issue date: 2015-VII-15
Language: Japanese
Size:: 25.4 x 17.2 x 2.2 cm
Retail price: ￥340
Katsuhiro Otomo has drawn the cover illustration of the novel TEN NO CHASUKE (天の茶助) written by SABU. The book was recently adapted to a live action film directed by SABU himself.
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Gentōsha (幻冬舎)
Release date: 2015-V-27
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: 277
Size: 15 x 10 x 1.6 cm
Retail price: ￥648
ISBN-10: 4344423364
ISBN-13: 978-4344423367
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Wanimagazine (ワニマガジン社)
Release date: 2015-IV-18
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: 236
Size: 31 x 22.8 x 2.8 cm (A4)
Retail price: ¥4,600
ISBN-10: 486269344X
ISBN-13: 978-4862693440
Katsuhiro Otomo features in the last number of PEN magazine. An special issue about the 100 people from Japan to be proud of in the world [世界に誇るべきニッポンの１００人]. The illustration presented is was previously published in the cover of Young Magazine in 1990 and it was included in pages 37 and 38 of the book AKIRA CLUB
MAGAZINE DETAILS Publisher: CCC Media House (CCCメディアハウス)
Release date: 2015-IV-1
Language: Japanese
Number of pages: -
Size: 28 x 21.4 x 1.2 cm
Retail price: ￥650
The unveiling ceremony of the ceramic relief designed by Katsuhiro Otomo, “Kinka Doji Riding the Waves Accompanied by Fujin and Raijin” (キンカドウジフウジンライジンヲシタガエテハトウヲコユルノズ） installed in the Sendai Airport took place today. A special website in Japanese, English and French was launched where the work is described:
Katsuhiro Otomo, the world-renowned manga artist whose works include the seminal AKIRA, was born in Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture. This relief, which was designed by Otomo, depicts Kinka Doji astride a mechanized goldfish, flanked by Fujin and Raijin—the gods of wind and lightning—rising above the billows and beckoning the auspicious clouds. The artwork represents our children—on whom the future rests—armed with twin pillars of knowledge and understanding, opposing the mighty powers of nature and moving bravely forwards in the face of intense difficulties. It is hoped that Kinka Doji will come to be cherished as a guardian deity of the region.
I made this hoping that lots of different people would be able to enjoy it. Of course, there are many thoughts and feelings connected to the various disasters and earthquakes… but more than that, I wanted this to be something that, many years from now, when children come here and look at it, they’ll ask, ‘What exactly is this?’ And then people can tell them, ‘Something like this happened,’ and continue passing those stories down. That’s the kind of feeling I had when making it. So it’s not really something focused on tragedy or misery. Rather, I made it so people could enjoy it. And now, seeing it myself like this, I honestly think, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’”
There wasn’t really a specific model for it. Someone just said earlier, ‘Since the teacher wears glasses, isn’t it supposed to be you?’ But no, it’s not. I drew it more as a kind of ordinary, generic child.
To mark the completion of the relief Otomo's original design has been reproduced as a 250 limited-edition, hand-signed, commemorative artwork, complete with edition number, through a unique method of art printing. 200 copies will be available for sale in Sendai Airport on a first-come first-served basis from march 12 to april 11, 2015. On April 13 the rest of the copies will be available online for international customers. A percentage of the profits made from the sale of the of this pieces will be donated to support the regeneration of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
PRINT DETAILS
Number of artworks: 200 + 50 Dimensions: Frame—952x416mm; Artwork—758x270mm
The mural designed by Katsuhiro Otomo for the first floor lobby of Sendai Airport Terminal Building is already concluded and will be installed on location on march.
Katsuhiro Otomo was awarded with the the 'Grand prix du Festival international de la bande dessinée d’Angoulême'. This is one of the most prestigious international comics convention that takes place every year in the city of Angoulême in France. The other finalist were Hermann, Alan Moore. Otomo, who was also nominated last year is the first Japanese and the fifth non european artist that receives this award.
Katsuhiro Otomo's message:
Hello, I'm Otomo. I want to thank you, profoundly, for this extraordinary price. For me, the bande desinée universe has opened my eyes. My work has been strongly influenced. To receive a price from France, from Angouleme, it's still hard to believe. Lately I don't draw as much so I'm even more surprised to receive this price. I'm truly thankful. This price serves as a motivation and I intend to get to work. Again, a big thank you.
Publisher: Shueisha (集英社)
