#MangaMonday 112 “Axed Mangaka and Doujin Creator” by Hibito Sumi

Manga about mangaka (manga creators) are not unusual; I’ve recommended a couple before (MM60 & 61.) Mainstream #manga about doujin (fanfic, often about same-sex pairings) creators are much rarer.

Yukuru (pen name Robou) is a mangaka who’s just had his series cancelled. It was never very popular but he had one vocal fan, Chirita, who creates #doujin about the two male leads. Out of a sense of gratitude, he goes to a convention where she’s selling it and buys a copy. She assumes he’s a fellow fan and he begins to use her as a touchstone to gauge his next work.

Chirita is a fun character; she’s personable and fashionable—her day job is in retail. There’s no romantic tension so far (unless you notice the similarities between Yukuru’s editors and his male leads) and it’ll be interesting to see what happens when Chirita figures out Yukuru is Robou.

Ongoing with nine English chapters on Shueisha’s “Manga Plus” website/app.