Fujiko Fujio
Encyclopedia
was a nom de plume of a manga
writing duo formed by two Japanese manga artists
. Their real names are and . They formed their partnership in 1951, and used the Fujiko Fujio name from 1954 until dissolution of the partnership in 1987.
From the outset they adopted a collaborative style where both worked simultaneously on the story and artwork, but as they diverged creatively they started releasing individual works under different names, Abiko as , and Fujimoto as . Throughout their career they won many individual and collaborative awards, and are best known for creating the popular and long-running series Doraemon
, the main character of which is officially recognized as a cultural icon of Modern Japan. Some influences of most of their works are acclaimed manga artist Osamu Tezuka
and many American cartoons and comic books.
. Fujimoto was born on December 1, 1933 and Abiko on March 10, 1934. Abiko transferred to Fujimoto's elementary school in Takaoka City
and happened to see Fujimoto drawing in a notebook. The two became lifelong friends, and during the early years of their friendship kept their illustrations hidden from friends and classmates out of embarrassment.
In junior high school they were greatly influenced by Osamu Tezuka
and his manga series Shin Takarajima. Fujimoto built a homemade episcope and together they wrote a piece for it called Tenküma, which was their first collaborate work. They started submitting work to periodicals such as Manga Shōnen and opened a joint savings account through Japan Post
fto which they both contributed funds and which they used to purchase art supplies. They two divided all income and expenses equally between each other, a practice they continued throughout the life of their partnership.
In high school they made their publishing debut, Tenshi no Tama-chan being adopted for serialization by Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun in 1951. That same year they paid a visit to Osamu Tezuka
's residence in Takarazuka
, Hyōgo Prefecture
, and showed him illustrations for their work titled Ben Hur. Tezuka complimented the two, some years later commenting that he knew then they were going to be major figures in the manga industry. Abiko and Fujimoto treasured the meeting with the respected Tezuka, and kept the Ben Hur illustrations for their entire lives. It was at this time they decided to make their partnership permanent, initially adopting the name Tezuka Fujio out of respect, later changing this to Azhizuka Fujio when they perceived adoption of the Tezuka name as too close to that of their idol.
Because both Fujimoto and Abiko were both eldest sons, they decided to take company jobs after graduating from high school in 1952. Fujimoto found employment with a confectionery company, and Abiko began working for the Toyama Newspaper Company. However, Fujimoto suffered a workplace injury when an arm was caught in machinery, and he quit within a matter of days. Fujimoto then dedicated his time to submitting work to periodicals, with Abiko assisting him on the weekends. Their first serial as Ashizuka Fujio was terminated in a few episodes, followed by success with .
They elected to move to Tokyo
in 1954 as professional manga artists
at Fujimoto's urging, Abiko only reluctantly as he had steady employment at the Toyama Newspaper Company. Their first place of residence was a two-tatami
mat room at the home of one of Abiko's relatives in Koto, Tokyo. Together with Terada Hiroo and several other manga artists of the period, they formed a collaborative group called . Moving into the Tokiwa-so apartment complex where the group was based, they enjoyed a period of productivity that had Fujimoto and Abiko carry up to six serials a month for publication.
The workload proved excessive, and in 1955 on return to Toyama Prefecture
for Japanese New Year
the pair missed all the deadlines for their serials. The loss of credibility with publishers hurt Fujimoto and Abiko for over a year, during which time they concentrated on solo projects, purchasing a television set in Akihabara
and making independent films with an 8mm camera. By 1959 they left Tokiwa-so and eventually moved to Kawasaki
in Kanagawa Prefecture
. Fujimoto found time to get married in 1962 (at the age of 28).
In 1963 Fujimoto and Abiko established Studio Zero with Shin'ichi Suzuki, Shotaro Ishinomori
, Jiro Tsunoda, and Kiyoichi Tsunoda. Later Fujio Akatsuka
joined, and at its peak the studio employed about 80 people. The studio produced several animated films such as Astro Boy
. For Fujimoto and Abiko these were some of their most productive years, resulting in series such as Obake no Q-Taro
which eventually were made into anime
series on television. It was at this time that Abiko started making manga for a more mature audience, with titles such as Teresa Tang and Kuroi Salesman. Abiko got married in 1966 at the age of 32. Fujimoto concentrated on titles for children, with a particular interest in science fiction
.
Doraemon
was created in 1970 and immediately surged in popularity with children in Japan. CoroCoro Comic
released its first issue in 1977 to showcase the works of Fujiko Fujio. With syndication of Doraemon on TV Asahi
in 1979, a surge of popularity saw up to a dozen collaborative and solo works by Fujimoto and Abiko picked up for publication and syndication throughout the 1980s.
In 1987, citing creative differences Fujimoto and Abiko ended their long partnership to concentrate on solo projects. Remaining close friends, they both worked under a company called Fujiko Productions and based their studios in adjoining buildings. Abiko concentrated on work incorporating more black humor while Fujimoto focused on works for children. According to Abiko, the cause for the dissolution of the partnership was due to Fujimoto discovering he had liver cancer
in 1986, and the desire of both Fujimoto and Abiko to settle issues of copyright and finances before Fujimoto's death in 1996.
A documentary was aired on TV Asahi
in February 19, 2006 chronicling the life and times of Fujiko Fujio. Their work remains in print.
A Fujiko F Fujio museum opened in Kawasaki
on September 3, 2011, which features a reporduction of Fujio's studio and a display of their artwork.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
writing duo formed by two Japanese manga artists
Mangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
. Their real names are and . They formed their partnership in 1951, and used the Fujiko Fujio name from 1954 until dissolution of the partnership in 1987.
From the outset they adopted a collaborative style where both worked simultaneously on the story and artwork, but as they diverged creatively they started releasing individual works under different names, Abiko as , and Fujimoto as . Throughout their career they won many individual and collaborative awards, and are best known for creating the popular and long-running series Doraemon
Doraemon
is a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F. Fujio which later became an anime series and an Asian franchise...
, the main character of which is officially recognized as a cultural icon of Modern Japan. Some influences of most of their works are acclaimed manga artist Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
and many American cartoons and comic books.
Biography
Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko were both from Toyama PrefectureToyama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Toyama.Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources....
. Fujimoto was born on December 1, 1933 and Abiko on March 10, 1934. Abiko transferred to Fujimoto's elementary school in Takaoka City
Takaoka, Toyama
is a city situated in the northwest of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, and is the central city of its Western District. Takaoka covers the 8th largest surface area in Toyama prefecture and has the second largest population after Toyama City...
and happened to see Fujimoto drawing in a notebook. The two became lifelong friends, and during the early years of their friendship kept their illustrations hidden from friends and classmates out of embarrassment.
In junior high school they were greatly influenced by Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
and his manga series Shin Takarajima. Fujimoto built a homemade episcope and together they wrote a piece for it called Tenküma, which was their first collaborate work. They started submitting work to periodicals such as Manga Shōnen and opened a joint savings account through Japan Post
Japan Post
was a government-owned corporation in Japan, that existed from 2003–2007, offering postal and package delivery services, banking services, and life insurance. It had over 400,000 employees and ran 24,700 post offices throughout Japan and was the nation's largest employer. One third of all Japanese...
fto which they both contributed funds and which they used to purchase art supplies. They two divided all income and expenses equally between each other, a practice they continued throughout the life of their partnership.
In high school they made their publishing debut, Tenshi no Tama-chan being adopted for serialization by Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun in 1951. That same year they paid a visit to Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
's residence in Takarazuka
Takarazuka, Hyogo
is a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.- Geography :Takarazuka is nestled between the Rokko Range to the west and Nagao Range to the north with the Muko River running through the center of the city....
, Hyōgo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
, and showed him illustrations for their work titled Ben Hur. Tezuka complimented the two, some years later commenting that he knew then they were going to be major figures in the manga industry. Abiko and Fujimoto treasured the meeting with the respected Tezuka, and kept the Ben Hur illustrations for their entire lives. It was at this time they decided to make their partnership permanent, initially adopting the name Tezuka Fujio out of respect, later changing this to Azhizuka Fujio when they perceived adoption of the Tezuka name as too close to that of their idol.
Because both Fujimoto and Abiko were both eldest sons, they decided to take company jobs after graduating from high school in 1952. Fujimoto found employment with a confectionery company, and Abiko began working for the Toyama Newspaper Company. However, Fujimoto suffered a workplace injury when an arm was caught in machinery, and he quit within a matter of days. Fujimoto then dedicated his time to submitting work to periodicals, with Abiko assisting him on the weekends. Their first serial as Ashizuka Fujio was terminated in a few episodes, followed by success with .
They elected to move to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in 1954 as professional manga artists
Mangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
at Fujimoto's urging, Abiko only reluctantly as he had steady employment at the Toyama Newspaper Company. Their first place of residence was a two-tatami
Tatami
A is a type of mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core , with a covering of woven soft rush straw, tatami are made in standard sizes, with the length exactly twice the width...
mat room at the home of one of Abiko's relatives in Koto, Tokyo. Together with Terada Hiroo and several other manga artists of the period, they formed a collaborative group called . Moving into the Tokiwa-so apartment complex where the group was based, they enjoyed a period of productivity that had Fujimoto and Abiko carry up to six serials a month for publication.
The workload proved excessive, and in 1955 on return to Toyama Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Toyama.Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources....
for Japanese New Year
Japanese New Year
The is one of the most important annual festivals, with its own unique customs, and has been celebrated for centuries. Due to the importance of the holiday and the preparations required, the preceding days are quite busy, particularly the day before, known as Ōmisoka.The Japanese New Year has been...
the pair missed all the deadlines for their serials. The loss of credibility with publishers hurt Fujimoto and Abiko for over a year, during which time they concentrated on solo projects, purchasing a television set in Akihabara
Akihabara
, also known as , is an area of Tokyo, Japan. It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station. Its name is frequently shortened to in Japan...
and making independent films with an 8mm camera. By 1959 they left Tokiwa-so and eventually moved to Kawasaki
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is the 9th most populated city in Japan and one of the main cities forming the Greater Tokyo Area and Keihin Industrial Area....
in Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
. Fujimoto found time to get married in 1962 (at the age of 28).
In 1963 Fujimoto and Abiko established Studio Zero with Shin'ichi Suzuki, Shotaro Ishinomori
Shotaro Ishinomori
was a Japanese manga artist who became an influential figure in manga, anime, and tokusatsu, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009 and Himitsu Sentai Goranger, what would go on to become part of the Super Sentai series, and the Kamen Rider Series...
, Jiro Tsunoda, and Kiyoichi Tsunoda. Later Fujio Akatsuka
Fujio Akatsuka
was a pioneer Japanese artist of comical manga known as the Gag Manga King. His name at birth is 赤塚 藤雄, whose Japanese pronunciation is the same as 赤塚 不二夫....
joined, and at its peak the studio employed about 80 people. The studio produced several animated films such as Astro Boy
Astro Boy (1960s)
is a Japanese manga series first published in 1952 and television program first broadcast in Japan in 1963. The story follows the adventures of a robot named Astro Boy and a selection of other characters along the way....
. For Fujimoto and Abiko these were some of their most productive years, resulting in series such as Obake no Q-Taro
Obake no Q-taro
, by Fujiko Fujio, is a Japanese manga about an obake, Qtarō who lives with the Ōhara family. Qtarō, also known as Q-chan or Oba-Q, is a mischief-maker who likes to fly around scaring people and stealing food, though he is deathly afraid of dogs.The story is formulaic, usually focussed on the...
which eventually were made into anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series on television. It was at this time that Abiko started making manga for a more mature audience, with titles such as Teresa Tang and Kuroi Salesman. Abiko got married in 1966 at the age of 32. Fujimoto concentrated on titles for children, with a particular interest in science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
.
Doraemon
Doraemon
is a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F. Fujio which later became an anime series and an Asian franchise...
was created in 1970 and immediately surged in popularity with children in Japan. CoroCoro Comic
CoroCoro Comic
is a Japanese monthly manga magazine published by Shogakukan, starting on May 15, 1977. Its main target is elementary school aged boys, younger than the readers of shōnen manga...
released its first issue in 1977 to showcase the works of Fujiko Fujio. With syndication of Doraemon on TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
in 1979, a surge of popularity saw up to a dozen collaborative and solo works by Fujimoto and Abiko picked up for publication and syndication throughout the 1980s.
In 1987, citing creative differences Fujimoto and Abiko ended their long partnership to concentrate on solo projects. Remaining close friends, they both worked under a company called Fujiko Productions and based their studios in adjoining buildings. Abiko concentrated on work incorporating more black humor while Fujimoto focused on works for children. According to Abiko, the cause for the dissolution of the partnership was due to Fujimoto discovering he had liver cancer
Liver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
in 1986, and the desire of both Fujimoto and Abiko to settle issues of copyright and finances before Fujimoto's death in 1996.
A documentary was aired on TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
in February 19, 2006 chronicling the life and times of Fujiko Fujio. Their work remains in print.
A Fujiko F Fujio museum opened in Kawasaki
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is the 9th most populated city in Japan and one of the main cities forming the Greater Tokyo Area and Keihin Industrial Area....
on September 3, 2011, which features a reporduction of Fujio's studio and a display of their artwork.
Awards
- 1963 - Shogakukan Manga AwardShogakukan Manga AwardThe is one of Japan's major manga awards, sponsored by Shogakukan Publishing. It has been awarded annually for serialized manga since 1955 and features candidates from a number of publishers.The current award categories are:...
for Old Song and Tebukuro Tecchan - 1981 – KawasakiKawasaki, Kanagawais a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is the 9th most populated city in Japan and one of the main cities forming the Greater Tokyo Area and Keihin Industrial Area....
City’s - 1982 – Shogakukan Manga AwardShogakukan Manga AwardThe is one of Japan's major manga awards, sponsored by Shogakukan Publishing. It has been awarded annually for serialized manga since 1955 and features candidates from a number of publishers.The current award categories are:...
for children's manga]] - 1989 –
- 1989 -
- 1997 – The first Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Grand Prize
Fujiko F. Fujio's Works
(1967–1968, 1983–1986) (1968) (1969–1970) (1969) (1970–1996) (1974–1977) (1975) (1976) (1977–1982) (1978) (1985, 1987–1988)Fujiko Fujio A's Works
(1964–1971) (1965–1969) (1969–1971) (1972–1975) (1974–1980) (1977–1982) (1984–1989) (1989–1991)External links
- Yahoo! カテゴリ – 漫画家 藤子不二雄
- Profile of Fujiko Fujio at The Ultimate Manga Guide
- Profile of Fujiko F. Fujio at The Ultimate Manga Guide
- Profile of Fujiko Fujio A at The Ultimate Manga Guide