MANGA OPERA SERIES
Operas in general, are about the ultimate human condition; the stories are deep and well developed, encompassing a wide range of elements: comedy, tragedy, love and death. However, operas do not have mass appeal as they are considered too "highbrow". This series, supervised by German literature expert Kyoko Nagano, and illustrated by top-notch manga artists, consists of 8 books, each volume focusing in a well-known opera. The aim of the series is to spread the interest towards opera in a fun way.
Concept of the series: 1) Readers will understand the plot and essence of each opera in a fun way 2) The mangas are drawn in a contemporary style, appealing to today's audiences. 3) Each title contains an appreciation guide for opera beginners. Profile of the supervisor: Kyoko Nakano: Professor of German literature and western cultural history at the Waseda University. Has written more than 20 books on painting and opera. Has translated Stefan Zweig's "Marie Antoinette". Profiles of the Illustrators: 1) Rumi Kizawa ( "Carmen"): Debuted in 1992 with "OUTH!" , featured in the monthly "Asuka Comedy DX" magazine (pub: Kadokawa Shoten). Her works have been featured in the magazines "Betsucomi" and "Puchicomi" (pub. Shogakukan), "Comic Pianissimo" (pub. Poplar-sha), "Kokko Club" ( pub. Benesse Corp.). 2) Motsuko ("La Traviata"): Pseudonim of a very popular doujinshi illustrator. (Doujinshis are self-published comics (by amateurs and professionals), they are generally parodies of well-known mainstream mangas. Doujinshis are normally bought, sold and traded among attendees of doujinshi conventions; they are published in small numbers to maintain a low profile from litigation. Talented doujinshi artists have a strong cult following and are often asked to work for mainstream mangas ) 3) Kaoru Kobayashi ( "Madame Butterfly" and "Aida"): Her work "China Girl" for the monthly "Asuka" magazine (pub. Kadokawa) become a best seller. Currently illustrates comics on diverse genres, ranging from comedy, history, to mystery. 4) Aiko Sadakane ( "Tourandot"): Noted for her sharp drawing style. Her most well-known work is "Seishun Dekedeke", featured in the "Comic Pianisssimo" magazine (pub. Poplar-sha). 5) Seiko Yamada ("The Flying Dutchman"): Manga artist and illustrator. Has drawn the "Takekurabe" series (pub. Shueisha), and designed the characters for a cell phone site called "Kaidan Hyaku Monogatari Shin Mimibukuro". 6) Eijun Hinode ("The Marriage of Figaro"): His most representative work is "Koya Hijiri" (pub. Shueisha). 7) Broccoli-ko ("The Magic Flute"): Pseudonim of a very popular doujinshi illustrator.