Fujio Pro

**Fujio Productions, Ltd**. aka **Fujio Pro** is a company founded in 1965 by Fujio Akatsuka, as a production hub for him and his assistants. It is currently headed by his daughter Rieko Akatsuka for copyright management of his works, stemming from commercialization of the characters to republishing rights and adaptations.

Although Akatsuka in his later years had the infamy of being a lax man who would let anything go, the company has been known for its extremely strict copyright policies and character likeness rights. This became a point when bootleg "**Sazaebon**" merchandise was produced in the 1990s. Their stance on illegal reproduction of their characters and manga became reiterated in 2022, via their collaborative anti-piracy manga "Reprints are Bakabon".

## History

Initially, Akatsuka had his wife Tomoko and his fellow former Tokiwa-so tenant Takao Yokoyama helping him out with his manga. But as manuscripts for manga became more of a challenge to complete, an artist he had met through the "Great East Japan Manga Study Group" named Kenichiro Takai had offered to co-author Osomatsu-kun with him. Takai would become influential in the overall process, creating characters such as Iyami, Dekapan, Dayōn, and Hatabō.

In 1963, Akatsuka and Tomoko, Joji Yamauchi, Yokoyama, and Takai would join the authors Kunio Nagatani and Tokuo Yokota as "The Seven Lucky Gods", attempting to work as a group in a shared apartment. But due to the poor conditions of the multi-tenant building (including a bedbug outbreak), and there being no place to sleep, it would dissolve a year later.

Yokoyama, Takai, and Nagatani would find another workplace, and would be joined by Kenichi Kitami and Mitsutoshi Furuya. They would form the base for Fujio Pro, which would be established the following year. The headquarters would be a shared space with Studio Zero, along with Jiro Tsunoda's **Tsunoda Pro** and Fujiko Fujio's **Fujiko Pro**.

Fujio Pro has moved locations at least four times in its span, the first being from the Ichikawa Building to the Yoyogi Murata Building due to a sharp increase in staff in 1969. The next moves came in 1970, when they rented seven rooms of the Hitomi Mansion in Naka-ochiai, before settling in a newly-built building next to it in 1978. In late 2021, due to the aging of the Naka-ochiai Fujio Pro office, operations were moved to a new building in Yayoi, Nakano.

### Comic Creation Process

The presence of Akatsuka's staff enabled a quick production of each manuscript for a magazine and an "idea meeting" with his editor and assistants that would eventually result in the finished product. Akatsuka would come up with the "name" (the rough draft) where he would write out the dialogue, and draw in panels as well as the rough sketches of the characters (also known as the "atari"). An assistant would then do the completed drawings and inking of the manga, as well as any other details. After the manuscript was completed, Akatsuka would then move on to the next project. A 13-page work could take as long as 9 hours, with the first 2 spent for the dialogue and panels, 4 for the rough sketch, and the final 3 for the art and inking by the assistants.

As there were general character design patterns that Akatsuka had favored, he would direct the assistants on what type of people they should draw; at times drawing a rough sketch which they would then interpret, and that he would modify some to make it easier. After Kenichiro Takai left for his own career, Akatsuka would design more notable characters on his own; characters like Bakabon's Papa and Nyarome already being more of his typical style.

The other members of the staff would serve as writers themselves, ghostwriting scripts when Akatsuka was unavailable to, and several would branch off into their own careers. Fujio Pro also operated on an ability-based payroll, and its environment gave a great opportunity for assistants to branch out and to show off their skills.

Samples of name and atari for Akatsuka manga sometimes appear in auctions, or can be seen showcased in recent books such as Fujio Akatsuka at Night and Shojo Manga-ka: Fujio Akatsuka. These give a look at how characters and scenes were drawn in Akatsuka's own style, and how much material was added by assistants in the process vs. original to his own drafts.

## Former Staff

*This list may not necessarily be complete, but showcases assistants and other company employees where known.*

* Akatsuka himself operated as president and CEO up until his hospitalization in 2002.
* Machiko Akatsuka (赤塚眞知子)- Akatsuka's second wife, who took over as president and CEO from 2002 to her death in 2006.
* Toshichi Akatsuka (赤塚藤七)- Akatsuka's father, who worked as the accountant for the company up to his death in 1979.
* Saburo Horino (堀野三郎)- An accountant at Fujio Pro, later known for being the infamous figure behind the embezzlement of 200 million yen from the company in 1974. He was forgiven by Akatsuka, who requested he not be arrested or charged for his crime. His whereabouts these days are unknown, as Shuppan Works attempted to track him and other lesser-known employees down for interviews.

Although not listed as an official assistant in "Fujio Pro" years, traces of Tomoko Akatsuka's involvement could be seen as far as 1965 for some heroine designs in his works.

### Assistants

* Takao Yokoyama (横山孝雄)- Considered the "No.1" assistant of Akatsuka serving as assistant from his earliest gag works, and would also serve as manager. His own art style and design sense can notably be seen in the covers to the Akebono reprints of manga. He seemed to have an on and off presence at the company, leaving Fujio Pro in 1983.
* Kenichiro Takai (高井研一郎)- The chief of drawing and a general collaborator from 1962 until 1968, having helped create several characters for *Osomatsu-kun* and *Extraordinary Ataro*. He never sought royalties or extra credit for his contributions, as he had felt it an honor alone to get to work with Akatsuka and help the series become famous. He returned as artist briefly in the 1990s, to assist on *The Collapse of the Sheeh! Religion* and *Liquor Hermit Dayoon.*
* Kunio Nagatani (長谷邦夫)- Served as the "brains", a manager, and one of the idea men of Fujio Pro, along with being a drawing assistant and general ghostwriter. Out of the original staff, he remained with the company the longest until his departure in the early 1990s. He did not participate in the collaboration for *Collapse of the Sheeh! Religion*. During his time as part of the company, he authored the series ***The Numbness of Scatan*** and wrote for the Nyarome learning book series, among other learning book contributions.
* Mitsutoshi Furuya (古谷三敏)- Served as a co-writer and drawing assistant until 1974, when he would establish his own company with Keiji Yoshitani. Prior to that, he had already started to branch out with his own manga, ***No-Good Father*** (*Dame Oyaji*) and had co-authored "The Genius Bakabon's Old Man" spinoff of Bakabon as well as handled the short-lived nonsensical shojo work All Night Decco. He would also be instrumental in developing the character of Bakabon's Papa further with Akatsuka. In rare instances in the late 1960s, some works that he worked on with Akatsuka would sometimes bear a "Furuya Pro" billing (Dekunobo of the Wilderness, We are 8 Pro).
* Kenichi Kitami (北見けんいち) - Joined as an assistant in 1964, and left company for his independent career in 1979. He assisted on the Shonen King *Osomatsu-kun* series and other works of the time, including being the chief assistant for *Gag Guerrilla*. Among his works, he is known for ***The Fishing Fool's Diary***.
* Norihiro Akatsuka (赤塚宣洋)- Akatsuka's younger brother, who was also associated with the company around 1970 to around the 1980s. He is referred to as simply "Akatsuka's little brother" in Fujio Pro illustrations featuring him, or as "Norihiro". He notably illustrated the "Nyarome's Maze" and "Nyarome's Riddle" childrens' books. He tended to draw in a rather loose, sketchy style, as seen in a chapter of "King of Gags".
* Akira Saito (斉藤あきら)- Drew for various titles in the late 1970s. His style can notably be seen in *Kensaku the Architect* and in *The Great Stupid Detective Kogoro Hakuchi*.
* Tsutomu Adachi (あだち勉)- Assistant from the early to mid-1970s. Considered another prolific disciple of Akatsuka and one of his "Four Kings", as he was instrumental in the drawing work on *The Genius Bakabon* during that period of time. He would also return on occasion in the 1990s, to assist on *Collapse of the Sheeh! Religion* as well as *Liquor Hermit Dayoon*.
* Yoshiko Tsuchida (土田よしこ)- The first female assistant at Fujio Pro, who worked for a few years before her departure in 1968 for her own professional career. She ultimately retired from manga in the late 1990s.
* Kazuko Tsuchida (土田和子, 土田かずこ)- Yoshiko Tsuchida's younger sister, who joined Fujio Pro in her place from 1968 to at least 1970 (as she is featured in the "Year of the Dog" newsletter). Her whereabouts after this are unknown, but she did not appear to carry forth to a bigger career like Yoshiko had.
* Eiji Sato (佐藤栄司)- An employee active around 1970, who wound up being one to inspire Akatsuka's development of a certain Keko-tan of Hokkairo!, due to his pleadings about wanting to see his "Keiko-chan of Hokkaido".
* Don Sasaki (佐々木ドン)- Assistant from the late 1960s to 1970s. He took over the series of *Karappe of the Wind.* He departed Fujio Pro quickly after the wrap-up of its sequel *I am Baccaras* as well as the series *48Chibi.* His status was unknown for decades, with it eventually revealed that he had died young at an undisclosed point of time, with such news only passed down through some assistants that had known. His wife, Hiroko, was known for being the sister of illustrator Setsuko Tamura.
* Shoichi Sakuta (作田昭一)
* Kokichi Bitou (びとう皓吉)- Produced content for the "Manga NO.1" magazine.
* Junzo Aomura (青村純三), also known as Jun Aomura (あおむら純)- Also produced content for "Manga NO.1" and *The Great Stupid Detective Kogoro Hakuchi*.
* Junji Takahashi (高橋純司)
* Kazuyoshi Torii (とりいかずよ)- Joined in 1968 and served until 1971, authoring the scatological short of "Dr. Toilet" during his time (which was later spun off to a full non-Fujio Pro work).
* Keiji Terashima (寺島敬治)- Served as an assistant from 1970 to 1972.
* Jin Kawaguchi (河口仁)- Collaborated with Kunio Nagatani on the TV Magazine version of Bakabon in 1971, as well as the succeeding "Original Genius Bakabon" serialization and "Manga NO.1". Active with the company up until about 1979.
* Koji Oikawa (及川こうじ)
* Mitsunori Kiri (キリ光乗)
* Yosuke Kondo (近藤洋助)- Assistant in the 1970s. His style is highlighted in a "King of Gags" chapter focusing on various Fujio Pro assistants' attempts at story.
* Hiroshi Nagaoka (長岡弘)- An assistant in the 1970s, also spotlighted in "King of Gags". His art was shown to be more of a dramatic, realistic shojo style. He is better known in manga by his later alias, **Soramaru Harano** (原野空丸). He appears to have been responsible for completing the tall "pretty woman"-style characters of the later 1970s, such as Asuka Kaminaga in Gontaro Niguruma, Akatsuka's take on Nanase Hita in House Jack Nana-chan, and so on.
* "Alice" (アリス)- An unknown female assistant in the 1970s that went by this alias. Evidence of her existence comes from the "King of Gags" chapter, where she was stated to be 18 at the time.
* "Sacchan" (サッちゃん)- Another young assistant from the "King of Gags" lineup, known only by this alias. Her style tended to be very loose and super-deformed.
* Mitsunori Shiya (椎屋光則)- Assistant at Fujio Pro from 1973 to 1985, taking on the position of drawing chief during his career. The manga of "Yotsuya 'H'" is based on his and Akatsuka's meeting at the titular bar.
* Shohei Kizaki (木崎しょうへい)- Assisted in the early 1970s and on "Manga NO.1", though little else is known of his time at the company.
* Yumi Nakano (なかのゆみ)
* Hiroyuki Minami (南ひろゆき)
* Shinichi Tokisato (時里信一)
* Shuichi Seino (制野秀一)- Assistant in early 1970s, also assisted other manga-ka of the time including Shotaro Ishimori and Jiro Tsunoda.
* Makoto Iwasaki (岩崎誠)- Assistant at Fujio Pro from the late 1980s to around 2002. Contributed some of the art towards the features during this time, and co-authored "Unkoman" with Takayoshi Minematsu for Comic BomBom in its 1992 and 1993 specials. The art credited with the signature "Fujio Pro" in *Sheeh! Religion* is figured to be of his doing.
* En Yamamura (山村円)- Assistant on *Collapse of the Sheeh! Religion*. She presumably joined in the late 1980s as well, although she would appear to have departed around 2002.

#### Gekiga Department (1969-1974)

* Kai Takizawa (滝沢解)- A novelist, who wrote for some of Fujio Pro's dramatic gag works during the gekiga years (Mad Dog Trotsky, Inspector Oni, etc.). He came onboard from his collaborations with Keiji Yoshitani, and the two were famous for non-Akatsuka Fujio Pro works as well such as "Engine Soul", "High School Outcast", and "Boy A".
* Keiji Yoshitani (芳谷圭児)- A drawing assistant that headed the gekiga division from 1969 to 1974, having transferred from Tsunoda Pro.
* Tomoo Kimura (木村知夫)- Another assistant who worked in tandem with Yoshitani as part of this division. It is his style that can be seen in completing the various "reverse drawing collapse" moments in The Genius Bakabon and other titles in the early 1970s, where characters suddenly become realistic or hyper-detailed. He departed from the company in 1974 alongside Yoshitani.
* Kenji Yuki (由起賢二)- Joined the graphic novel division around the same time as the others, but left in 1974.
* Mitsuyoshi Sonoda (園田光慶)- aka: **Hidekazu Arikawa** (ありかわ 栄一). A manga-ka that joined the graphic novel division in 1972 by recommendation of Toshiki Takei. Unfortunately, due to stress over his other existing jobs and the pressure he felt about drawing, he quit Fujio Pro without ever taking part in a single work.

### Former Staff of Unknown Positions

These staff members have been seen name-dropped in old Fujio Pro materials, but there is a lack of information on their job or length of time at the company. Shuppan Works listed some of these individuals' names when putting an open letter out for leads on their current whereabouts.

* Susumu Sato (佐藤進)- Featured in the "Year of Dog" newsletter along with others below.
* Akira Abe (阿部章)
* Masaru Takaoka (高岡勝)
* Hiroshi Ikeda (池田博)
* Akira Hiwada (日和田章)
* Yoko Tamukai (田向陽子)
* Kenki Yasugi (安来賢紀)

## Current Staff

As of this writing, this would be the current lineup at Fujio Pro, past the post-Akatsuka activities of the early 2000s.

* Rieko Akatsuka- President and CEO since 2006.
* Kiyoto Emori (江守清人)- Director, second husband of Akatsuka's former wife Tomoko.
* Takayoshi Minematsu (峰松孝佳, later alias: Katta Yoshi/吉勝太) - Joined the company as an assistant in 1984, becoming the head chief of drawing in 1987. He co-authored "Unkoman", and produced "Egg Soldier Tamaran" (タマゴ戦士タマラン) for Comic BomBom in 1994 around the time he departed Fujio Pro to be independent. He is considered "the last disciple" due to being the current head artist at the company, having drawn all of its media since 2002 after initially returning as a freelancer. He could also be seen to represent Fujio Pro as a producer on *Late Night! Genius Bakabon*.
* Masato Kuwabara (桑原正人)- In charge of copyright productions and supervision at the company since 2006, representing Fujio Pro as a producer on *Osomatsu-san*.
* Tatsuya Matsuki (松木健也)- Joined Fujio Pro in 2007 and heads the publishing and materials department, He is responsible for research and archival of Akatsuka's works, and has been immortalized as the character of "Tachiya Machiki" in Minematsu's illustrations. He can be seen credited as editor on the books Shojo Manga-ka: Fujio Akatsuka, *Hiragana Osomatsu-kun*, Fujio Akatsuka at Night, and the Made in Fujio Akatsuka series; all utilized his archivist efforts when it came to tracking down unreprinted stories and rare illustrations from Akatsuka's career.

## Official Newsletters

Through the mid to late 1960s, Fujio Pro issued official fanclub newsletters in various distinctive forms:

* *Osomatsu-kun News*: May 1965-April 1966. A flyer containing information on the current Akatsuka series being put out in magazines, as well as upcoming features to look forward to. The subscription to this newsletter cost 20 yen at the time, with the first-time fee being 10 yen.
* *Osomatsu-kun Book*: May 1966-May 1967. Successor to the above. A flipbook-styled newsletter containing news and announcements, plus samples of manga by other manga-ka or fan submitted illustrations. The price raised some for this booklet, being 30 yen a month. Among the illustrations and manga inside, this booklet contained the first incarnation of Akatsuka's autobiographical *Fujio's Naughty Diary*, which would later be revised for the 1970 Fujio Pro New Years' newsletter and seem to be the earliest basis for Fujio's Waru Waru World.
* *Manga NO.1*: August 1967-March 1968. A small booklet containing samples of manga (Fujio Pro and otherwise), illustrations submitted by fans, and other announcements. Not to be confused with the 1968 *Shonen* appendix by the same title, nor the magazine by Fujio Pro put out from 1972-1973. This booklet cost 60 yen a month, with the first issue fee being 40 yen.