KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops
KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops | |
こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所 | |
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Genre | Comedy[1] |
Manga | |
Written by | List of volumes ) |
Anime film | |
Directed by | Tatsunoko Productions |
Released | November 23, 1985 |
Runtime | 30 minutes |
Anime television series | |
Directed by |
|
Music by |
|
Studio | List of episodes ) |
Anime film | |
Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo the Movie | |
Directed by | Shinji Takamatsu |
Written by | Toshimichi Okawa |
Studio | Studio Gallop |
Released | December 23, 1999 |
Runtime | 95 minutes |
Anime film | |
Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo the Movie 2: UFO Shūrai! Tornado Daisakusen!! | |
Directed by | Shinji Takamatsu |
Written by |
|
Studio | Studio Gallop |
Released | December 20, 2003 |
Runtime | 109 minutes |
Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo (こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所, lit. "This Is a Police Box (
It was continuously serialized in
By 2016, the manga had over 156.5 million copies in circulation, making it the eighth best-selling manga series in history. In 2005, Kochikame won the Special Judges Award at the 50th Shogakukan Manga Award, as well as the 48th Seiun Award for Best Comic in 2017.
Plot
The KochiKame plot involves Kankichi "Ryo-san" Ryotsu coming up with a money-making scheme by inventing a new gadget or capitalizing on a fad, achieving great success, calling on Keiichi Nakagawa's help as things turn sour, and finally losing it all as the fad runs out of steam or out of control. While the plots are gag-driven, much of the humor comes from the combination of mundane characters with those that are bizarrely out of place; such as Nakagawa who has wealth and Ai Asato who is transgender. What they have in common is everyone's lack of actual police work, most of which is never explained or rationalized in the slightest. (It is explained in Jump that Ryo-san is one of the best officers at catching criminals.) Nakagawa and Reiko Akimoto have special licenses (such as for wearing personal clothes instead of uniforms to work) from police headquarters because of their skills in linguistics.[2]
The plot consistently evolved with the times and most of the main characters do not really age, despite the fact that the series started in the 1970s and is later clearly set in the 2010s. However, some characters do age, like the grandchild of Buchao, who was a baby in the early volumes, but is now close to junior high, which the author has self-mocked in a few "look back" chapters/episodes. KochiKame has a broad audience, ranging from adolescent boys to middle-aged salarymen. Ryo-san's antics appeal to children who can laugh at an old buffoon, and to men fearing that they are becoming old buffoons themselves—and also because it often subtly mocks the latest fads and trends. The stories are generally innocent in content, and what little violence appears is comical, while the occasional risqué subjects are included strictly for laughs rather than to titillate. KochiKame's immense popularity has led to guest appearances in the strip by real-life Japanese celebrities such as Tetsuya Komuro.
For creator Osamu Akimoto, KochiKame is an homage to the working-class people and districts of old Tokyo, and most chapters open with an elaborate full-page illustration of a
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Osamu Akimoto, Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo started in Shueisha's shōnen manga anthology Weekly Shōnen Jump on September 21, 1976.[3][4] Akimoto debuted the series under the pen name of "Tatsuhiko Yamadome", but changed to using his real name in 1978, when it reached its 100th chapter. Periodically the chapters were collected into tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, the first released on July 9, 1977.[5] The series ended on September 17, 2016, in the 42nd issue of the year, in commemoration of KochiKame's 40th anniversary. Its 200th tankōbon volume was published on the same day.[1] Shueisha reprinted the issue that included the final chapter on December 31, 2016, marking the first time a Weekly Shōnen Jump issue has ever been reprinted.[6] Akimoto created a new chapter of Kochikame for the 42nd issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump on September 16, 2017.[7] On July 18, 2021, it was announced the manga would receive a 201st volume, which was released on October 4, 2021.[8] A 46-page one-shot chapter will be published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 10, 2023.[9]
From March 2017 to June 2019, Akimoto serialized a sequel in the seinen magazine Ultra Jump. Titled Ii Yu da ne! (いいゆだね!, "What a Nice Bath!"), it is set in a sentō next to a police station in Shitamachi, Tokyo.[10][11]
Anime
Since KochiKame's inception in Jump in 1976, the series was not adapted into anime often, most likely because it would have been more suited for a live-action adaptation. The closest it could get when being adapted into anime was either in the form of commercials for certain products sold in Japan such as toys and snack foods as early as 1980, and a 30-minute animated film produced by
An anime television adaptation of KochiKame finally began airing on
On September 18, 2016, an hour-long special by Studio Gallop aired on Fuji TV for the manga's 40th anniversary. Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo The Final: Kankichi Ryotsu's Last Day (こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所 THE FINAL 両津勘吉 最後の日) features several voice actors reprising their roles from the previous series, as well as director Akira Shigeno.[12]
In summer of 2006, a dubbed
Live-action
KochiKame has also had live-action film, a TV drama and stage adaptations. The movie was directed by
Other media
As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, the series received a 6-part crossover anthology novel with various characters from other series on September 17, 2016. Titled Vs. Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo: Novelization Anthology (VS.こち亀 こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所ノベライズアンソロジー), the other series are
Ryotsu appears playable in the Weekly Shōnen Jump crossover fighting video games Jump Super Stars, Jump Ultimate Stars and J-Stars Victory VS. Other characters from the series appear in a non-playable capacity. J-Stars Victory VS.'s North American and European release (as J-Stars Victory VS.+) marks the first official release of Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo material in English-speaking territories. In addition, various toys and collectibles have been created, including some items that first appeared in the manga as creations of Ryo-san.
Real-life KochiKame
Kameari Koen is an actual park in Tokyo's Katsushika ward. The police station is fictional, but it is modeled after a real one located on the north side of Kameari railway station. The manga has brought considerable fame to the neighborhood, and it draws sightseers from all over Japan. There is only a vacant lot where the police station is actually supposed to be located.[citation needed]
In February 2006, two life-size bronze statues of Ryo-san were erected at the north and south gates of Kameari Station. There is currently a trail of 14 statues in the area.[18]
30th anniversary
In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo's serialization, several special events were held. Separate one-shots of the series were published in thirteen different Shueisha magazines between August and October 2006.[19]
Reception
By 2016, Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo had sold over 156.5 million
In November 2014, readers of Da Vinci magazine voted Kochikame as the seventh Weekly Shōnen Jump's greatest manga series of all time.[23] Kochikame won the Special Judges Award at the 50th Shogakukan Manga Awards in 2005.[24] Akimoto received the Special Prize at the 21st Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize for the manga in 2017.[25] Kochikame was awarded the 48th Seiun Award for the Best Comic in 2017.[26] On TV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo 2021 poll, in which 150,000 people voted for their top 100 manga series, KochiKame ranked 35th.[27]
In 2005, the anime ranked 36th on its list of the Top 100 Anime conducted by TV Asahi.[28] Mike Toole of Anime News Network included Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo the Movie at number 56 on The Other 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time, a list of "lesser-known, lesser-loved classics." He called it "Kochikame at its best, a zippy combination of daffy comedy and solid action set pieces," with one of the funniest false endings ever.[29]
See also
- Kōban, neighborhood police stations in Japan
Notes
References
- ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 3, 2016). "Osamu Akimoto's Kochikame Manga Ends on September 17 After 40 Years of Serialization". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ISBN 978-1933330105.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ こち亀よ永遠に | こち亀年表1976→2016 [Kochikame Forever | Kochikame Chronology 1976 → 2016]. j-kochikame.com (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on September 3, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ 『こち亀』40周年記念展開催 9月より日本橋高島屋 [Kochikame's 40th Anniversary Exhibition will be held at Nihonbashi Takashimaya from September]. Oricon News (in Japanese). February 22, 2016. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Pineda Rafael, Antonio (November 6, 2016). "Weekly Shonen Jump Gets First Ever Reprint Thanks to KochiKame". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 10, 2017). "Kochikame Manga Gets New Chapter in Shonen Jump". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 18, 2021). "Kochikame Manga Gets 201st Volume in October". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael (June 27, 2023). "Kochikame Manga Gets New 1-Shot on July 10". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 15, 2016). "KochiKame's Osamu Akimoto Publishes 4 New Manga in 2017". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 18, 2019). "Kochikame's Osamu Akimoto Ends Ii Yu da ne! Manga on June 19". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 9, 2016). "KochiKame TV Anime Is 1-Hour Special Premiering September 18". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ "Kids' channels line up hot fanfare as summer beckons". IndianTelevision.com. March 25, 2006. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (August 8, 2010). "Manga-Based Live-Action Kochikame Comedy Gets Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 3, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Loo, Egan (May 28, 2009). "Kochikame, Shōjo Manga Get Live-Action TV Dramas". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 5, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Luster, Joseph (May 23, 2016). ""KochiKame" Stage Play Presents an Explosive Main Visual". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ Whalen, Amanda (July 27, 2016). "Kochikame Manga Gets Novel Crossovers With Girls Und Panzer, Cheer Boys!, Mr. Osomatsu". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- Asahi Shimbun. January 19, 2015. Archived from the originalon January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 6, 2011). "Kochikame Comedy Manga to Appear in 13 Magazines". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ 「こち亀」フジで8年ぶりアニメ化 原作連載40周年記念 (in Japanese). Sankei. June 20, 2016. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 11, 2016). "Kochikame Earns Guinness World Record For Most Volumes Published For Single Manga Series". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "「ゴルゴ13」がギネス世界記録に認定、ちばてつやや高橋留美子らもお祝い". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 18, 2021. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
- ^ ""Da Vinci" Magazine Asks Japanese Readers to Name Greatest "Shonen Jump" Manga". Crunchyroll. November 13, 2014. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- ^ 小学館漫画賞 過去受賞作 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. October 25, 2018. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 25, 2017). "Hana ni Somu Manga Wins 21st Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize's Top Award". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 25, 2017). "Shin Godzilla Film, Kochikame Manga Win Seiun Awards". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (January 5, 2021). "TV Asahi Announces Top 100 Manga Voted on By 150,000 Readers". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ Macdonald, Christopher (September 27, 2005). "TV Asahi Top 100 Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 21, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Toole, Mike (April 2, 2017). "The Other 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time, Part 2 - The Mike Toole Show". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
External links
- Official website
- Fuji TV KochiKame website
- TBS KochiKame website
- KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops at IMDb
- Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia