Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
The pocket edition of Tekkonkinkreet is out this week, featuring new cover art by Taiyō Matsumoto, some rarely-seen color artwork, and an afterword that I wrote (humbly) for this edition. These beautiful little books are currently available only in Japan, but the folks at Shogakukan Comics have seen fit to print my contribution in both Japanese and English. This has already been an unusually prolific year for Taiyō, with pocket editions of older works coming out regularly and Sunny, his newest, currently serialized in Shogakukan’s IKKI comics (the 3rd collected volume of Sunny has just been released in Japan and an English edition is in the works). As if that weren’t enough, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival have announced a gallery show of original Taiyō artwork as well as a screening of my filmed adaptation of Tekkonkinkreet. Taiyo Matsumoto is a Japanese comics creator whose kinetic style and thoughtful, considered narratives have won him fans across the world. Drawing on a wide range of artistic influences from Japan and Europe, Matsumoto’s graphic novels evidence a deep knowledge and appreciation of the entire world of comics. Matsumoto is best known to English-reading audiences for his work Tekkonkinkreet, which was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated animated film in 2007. Originally released in English as “Black & White”, the graphic novel and film have drawn wide acclaim thanks to their beauty and unique style. His other English-language works include Blue Spring, GoGo Monster, and No.5. Matsumoto also has an extensive bibliography of works translated into French, including all of his English works and the additional series’ Ping Pong (5 volumes), Le Samourai Bambou (8 volumes), and Freres du Japon. Matsumoto has also had live-action film adaptations of his works Blue Spring and Ping Pong, both of which are available on DVD in North America. Taiyo Matsumoto will debut his brand new ongoing manga series Sunny at TCAF, published in English by Viz Media. The World of Taiyo Matsumoto: This talented and prolific cartoonist’s career will be explored through a full program of Festival events, headlined by an exhibition of original artwork and goods, to be held at and in conjunction with The Japan Foundation, Toronto. Further events will include a special screening of the film Tekkonkinkreet with Director Michael Arias and Screenwriter Anthony Weintraub in attendance. Toronto Comics Art Festival website I can’t praise Taiyō Matsumoto and his unique work enough. from Michael at michaelarias.net
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It’s here. The Taiyo-yo. Is it the answer to all my prayers or the beginning of the end? The yoyo is bundled with the first book of Taiyō’s beautiful new work SUNNY, currently serialized in Shogakukan IKKI. Taiyō is back in great form with this semi-autobiographical story about the lives of children living in a Kansai orphanage. Run, don’t walk, to your nearest Village Vanguard.
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