The appeal and reputation of "Comic Girls": A new perspective on the world of girls' manga

"Comic Girls": A heartwarming anime about the youth and friendship of manga artists

■Overview of the work

Comic Girls is a TV anime series based on the four-panel manga of the same name by Kaori Hanzawa. It aired on TOKYO MX and BS11 from April 5 to June 21, 2018. It has 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and depicts the daily lives and growth of manga artists. The animation was produced by Nexus and directed by Yoshinobu Tokumoto.

■ Story

The main character, Moeda Kaoruko (PN Kaosu), is a 15-year-old professional high school student who works as a four-panel manga artist. She moves into a girls' dormitory for manga artists, and spends her days working hard to create manga with her roommates, Koizuka Koyume, a girls' manga artist, Irokawa Ruki, a TL manga artist, and Katsuki Tsubasa, a boys' manga artist. The story, which depicts the struggles and joys of their work as manga artists, as well as their friendship and growth, will leave viewers smiling and moved.

■Character Introduction

Kaoruko Moeta (PN Kaos)

A four-panel manga artist living in the Bunposha women's manga artist dormitory. Her pen name is "Kaosu." She's timid but hardworking. She also has an otaku side, collecting figurines and anime posters. Her catchphrase is "Ababababa." Her growth and struggles as a manga artist are at the heart of this work.

Koizuka Koyume (PN Koi Suru Koyume)

A young manga artist who lives in the Bunposha Girls Manga Artists Dormitory. Her pen name is "Koyume in Love." She has a soft-spoken personality and likes sweet things. She is interested in Tsubasa, who lives in the same dormitory. Koyume's purity and kindness add warmth to the story.

Ryuki Irokawa (PN Big Breasts ???? Himeko)

A TL manga artist who lives in the Bunposha women's manga artist dormitory. Her pen name is "Big Breasts Himeko". However, she is not a big-breasted girl. She has a serious and reliable personality, and likes to admire small things. Ryuki's seriousness and humor add depth to the story.

Tsubasa Katsuki (PN Wing V)

A young manga artist who lives in the Bunposha Girls Manga Artists Dormitory. His pen name is "Wing V." He is a popular author who has appeared on magazine covers, and he has a habit of becoming a character when he writes. Tsubasa's passion and talent bring energy to the story.

■Cast

・Kaoruko Moeda/Hikaru Akao ・Koyume Koizuka/Kaede Hondo ・Ruki Irokawa/Saori Onishi ・Tsubasa Katsuki/Rie Takahashi

■ Main staff

・Original story: Kaori Hanzawa (serialized in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara MAX)
Director: Yoshinobu Tokumoto; Series Composition: Natsuko Takahashi; Screenplay: Doko Machida, Michiko Yokote, Touki Hanada; Character Design: Yoshiko Saito; Art Director: Kenichi Tajiri; Color Design: Naoto Tanaka; Director of Photography: Gaku Hirooka; Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa; Music: Kenichiro Suehiro; Animation Production: Nexus

■ Episode Guide

・Episode 1/Survey: Last Place!? (2018/04/05)
・Episode 2/Today I Started School (2018/04/12)
・Episode 3/It's squishy and fluffy (2018/04/19)
・Episode 4/Knotty Rendezvous (2018/04/26)
・Episode 5/Are you going to cosplay, Mr. Henzawa? (2018/05/03)
・Episode 6/I'm going to shave my head (2018/05/10)
・Episode 7/Is this heaven!? (2018/05/17)
Episode 8: Wan Nyan Nyan Wan Festival (2018/05/24)
・Episode 9/Face Spiral (2018/05/31)
・Episode 10: It's unfair that only Michiru gets the love (2018/06/07)
・Episode 11/The Peak of My Life Has Come (2018/06/14)
・Episode 12/Goodbye, great manga artists (2018/06/21)

■ Related works

・Original story: Kaori Hanzawa (serialized in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara MAX)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 2 to 12
・Memories
・Lyrics/Tenta Sugisaka ・Composition/Tenta Sugisaka, AWOKI
Arrangement: AWOKI
・Song: Comic Girls ・ED1
・Period: 2 to 12
・I won't show my tears・Lyrics: mikito
・Composition: mikito
・Arrangement/mikito
・Song: Comic Girls ・Used as an insert song in episode 12

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Comic Girls" is a story that depicts youth and friendship through the unique profession of manga artist. The story is moving to watch as the protagonist, Kaoruko, and other unique characters grow as they share the pain and joy of manga production. The realistic portrayal of the manga artist and the humor unique to four-panel manga add depth and fun to the story.

In particular, the individuality of each character is highly praised. The unique characteristics of each character, such as Kaoruko's catchphrase "Ababababa," Koyume's love of sweets, Ryuki's earnestness, and Tsubasa's passion, enrich the story. Another attraction is the realistic portrayal of the manga artist, with the manga production process, including creating storyboards, inking, and working all night, depicted in a realistic manner.

Another big attraction of the work is the theme of "friendship." The four girls who live in a manga artist dormitory support each other as they grow up, and this is a moving story. Their friendship is the strength that helps them overcome the struggles of being a manga artist, and it is at the heart of the story.

■ Recommendation points

Comic Girls is recommended not only for those who like manga and anime, but also for those who like works that depict youth and friendship. In particular, the youth and friendship depicted through the unique profession of manga artist gives viewers a fresh impression. Another attraction is the humor unique to four-panel manga and the realistic depiction of manga production.

Furthermore, the story of the growth and friendship of the unique characters will move the viewer. Watching them grow while sharing the pain and joy of being manga artists will give the viewer courage and hope. Please feel the youth and friendship of the manga artists through "Comic Girls".

Related information

The original Comic Girls is a four-frame manga by Kaori Hanzawa, serialized in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara MAX. To make it into an anime, professionals from various fields, including character designers, art directors, and sound directors, were brought together to bring out the best in the original work. The theme songs and insert songs were also chosen to match the theme of the work.

Furthermore, even after the broadcast of "Comic Girls" ended, the original manga series continues to be serialized, with new episodes being added. Even after watching the anime, you can enjoy the further growth of the girls and their friendship by reading the original manga. In addition, related goods and events are also held, and there is active interaction with fans.

"Comic Girls" is a work that you can enjoy with humor and emotion, depicting the youth and friendship of manga artists through their unique profession. Please enjoy this work and feel the youth and friendship of manga artists.