Manga artist Osamu Akimoto attended a joint press conference on the 13th for the "Kochikame Memorial Museum" held in Tokyo, where he spoke about his thoughts on the protagonist, Kankichi Ryotsu, and the series itself.

Katsushika Ward will open the "Kochikame Memorial Museum" on the 22nd as a culmination of its tourism initiatives leveraging Akimoto’s manga Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo (Kochikame).

When asked about what Ryo-san means to him, Akimoto responded, "This is the hardest question, but to me, he's a 'bad companion.' I'm actually quite serious, so I was surprised that a museum was built for him! But that’s precisely why drawing Ryo-san was so much fun." He added, "Through manga, I was able to bring to life things I couldn’t do myself, like imagining an ideal world where everyone in the downtown area could come together. Now, all of those moments have taken shape as the Kochikame Memorial Museum. I’m truly happy and grateful."

Regarding the series' conclusion nine years ago, Akimoto shared, "Kochikame wasn’t something I felt I had to keep drawing forever. Ending the weekly serialization wasn’t because I ran out of ideas or was exhausted. Rather, I wondered if it was okay to keep going like this indefinitely." He revealed, "I also had many other things I wanted to draw."

Akimoto reflected on what happened after the series ended: "Right after it finished, I started four new serializations at once, which was just the beginning. So, it didn’t really feel like it was 'over.'" He continued, "Half of me thought it was all done, but when Shueisha approached me a year later asking if I’d like to write a one-shot for the first anniversary, I was truly happy. Seeing how much joy it brought to long-time readers made me realize there were still many stories left to tell."

He also shared his candid feelings, saying, "Honestly, after such a long run, ending the series was a bit lonely. I loved it so much, so finishing it felt bittersweet." However, he added optimistically, "There are still many things I want to draw. If the opportunity arises, I’d love to keep creating."

Speaking about the new museum, Akimoto expressed excitement: "Having this museum as a bridge to future projects makes me really happy. It gives me ideas for new stories and opens up many possibilities." His words hint at continued enjoyment for Kochikame fans in the future.

Originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1976 to 2016, Kochikame is a comedy manga following police officer Kankichi Ryotsu, who works at a small police box in Kameari while engaging in hilarious antics with his colleagues and acquaintances in Tokyo’s downtown area. The manga was adapted into a TV anime, a live-action drama starring Shingo Katori, and a live-action film, solidifying its place as a beloved classic.

Source : ORICON NEWS