Tetsuya Chiba, creator of the legendary manga Ashita no Joe, will become the first manga artist to receive Japan’s esteemed Order of Culture. This marks a groundbreaking moment, recognizing the significance of manga in Japanese culture.

Chiba, 85, is celebrated for his contributions to the manga world, both as a creator and as the chairman of the Japan Cartoonists Association, where he has worked to nurture the industry and its future talent. His iconic boxing manga Ashita no Joe, first published in 1968, became a cultural phenomenon, influencing generations of readers and creators alike. Despite his age, Chiba remains active in the manga world.

The Order of Culture, awarded annually by the Japanese government, recognizes individuals with outstanding achievements in the development of culture. Traditionally presented by the Emperor on Culture Day (November 3), this marks the first time a manga artist has received the honor, symbolizing the growing recognition of manga as an integral part of Japan’s cultural legacy.

＜UPDATE 4:13 PM Oct 25＞
Tetsuya Chiba’s Comment is Here

Tetsuya Chiba’s Comment

On his blog, he wrote: "I am humbled and surprised to share the news that I have been awarded the Order of Culture, an extremely prestigious honor. Over the past few years, I’ve experienced some health setbacks and even had eye surgery recently, so I've been taking a break from my ongoing work, spending my days rather lazily. In that sense, receiving this news is almost embarrassing, and I feel both grateful and undeserving."

Reflecting on his career, he wrote: "For nearly seventy years, I’ve been creating manga and comics. Today, people of all ages read and enjoy manga as a normal part of life, but if I think back, there was a time when manga was almost exclusively something for children."

He continued, "After the war, when Japan was still impoverished, without television, computers, or mobile phones, our predecessors—manga creators and editors—worked tirelessly to build and enrich the field. Today, many of my fellow manga artists continue this effort, expanding the genre to encompass women’s magazines, youth and adult publications, and much more. I feel that this recognition celebrates the creativity and dedication of all manga artists, and I’m truly grateful for that."

He expressed the responsibility he feels in receiving the award, stating, "As someone receiving this honor on behalf of the entire manga industry, I feel a profound sense of responsibility. I humbly accept it as a milestone in the hope that Japanese manga and comics will continue to grow as a beloved part of ‘Japanese culture’ worldwide."

Finally, he conveyed gratitude to his colleagues and collaborators, adding, "Of course, manga is not created by the artist alone; we rely on partners like original authors, publishers, and editors. I’m also deeply grateful to everyone involved, including booksellers who bring our works to readers, and those in production, printing, and publishing, who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey."

Tetsuya Chiba's Blog (JP)

Source : ORICON NEWS