Why Osamu Akimoto Set KochiKame in Kameari Instead of Asakusa or Ueno

The manga KochiKame (Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo) began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in issue 42 of 1976, released on September 21 of that year. In a special feature titled “THE ZERO to ONE”, which traces how hit series are born in Weekly Shonen Jump, creator Osamu Akimoto shared insights into the early planning stages, character design, and his philosophy on manga creation. The full article was published on the digital bookstore Zebrack.

Interview Highlights

On preparing for serialization:
“At first, my editor told me, ‘Draw 10 storyboards before starting the series.’ With 10 chapters, you could release a volume. Since I love summer, I enjoyed drawing, but by the time serialization began, I only had about 6 episodes ready. That’s one and a half months’ worth in weekly terms. From then on, I had to create storyboards and do the art every week. I was working alone at first, so it was a real struggle.”

On choosing Kameari as the setting:
“A big reason was that it was close to home, but I also thought it would be better to set the story in a place no one knew. At first, I considered Asakusa or Ueno, but those were already familiar names that appeared often.”

On his seasonal mindset:
“Every year I used to wish summer would come sooner, so summer still excites me. During the preparation period it was summer, so I felt I could start serialization easily and with confidence. But when autumn turned to winter, anxiety set in. My body just doesn’t move as well in winter, even though I was born in December.”

Osamu Akimoto’s Profile

Born on December 11, 1952, in Kameari, Katsushika City, Tokyo.

In April 1976, KochiKame won the Monthly Young Jump Award from Weekly Shonen Jump and began serialization in September of the same year.
Major awards include:
30th Japan Cartoonists Association Award Grand Prize (2001)
50th Shogakukan Manga Award Special Judge’s Prize (2005)
Kikuchi Kan Prize (2016, sponsored by the Japan Literary Promotion Society)
Medal with Purple Ribbon (2019)

In 2012, he was named the first Honorary Citizen of Katsushika for the city’s 80th anniversary. The series concluded in September 2016 with its 40th anniversary and the release of the 200th volume. He is currently serializing Mr. Clice (Jump SQ.RISE) and TimeTuber Yukari (Grand Jump).

Source : ORICON NEWS