The 52nd Angoulême International Comics Festival has concluded, and among the winners are two acclaimed Japanese manga artists: Shintaro Kago and Kan Takahama. Kago’s Dementia 21 and Takahama’s Ōgishima Saijiki have both received prestigious awards at the renowned French festival, further cementing the global appeal and artistic merit of manga.
Shintaro Kago’s Dementia 21 Wins Le Fauve de la Série
Shintaro Kago, known for his distinctive and often unsettling blend of horror, erotica, and surrealism, has been awarded the Le Fauve de la Série (Series Prize) for the second volume of Dementia 21. This award recognizes excellence in a comics series.
A Dive into Dementia 21
Dementia 21 follows the daily life of Yukie Sakai, a caregiver in a near-future Japan overrun by the elderly. However, this is no ordinary slice-of-life manga. Kago’s signature style transforms mundane scenarios into bizarre and often disturbing vignettes, exploring themes of aging, technology, and the fragmentation of reality. The manga has gained notoriety for its grotesque imagery and dark humor.
The French edition of Dementia 21 is published by Huber, with Baptiste Neveux serving as the translator. English-speaking audiences can experience Kago’s unsettling vision through the two-volume manga released by Fantagraphics in 2018 and 2020. While the series is only two books long, it has been popular in France, with more of Kago’s work available in French than English.
Kan Takahama’s Ōgishima Saijiki Receives Le Prix Konishi
Kan Takahama has received the Le Prix Konishi (Konishi Award) for Ōgishima Saijiki. This award specifically honors the best translation of a Japanese manga into French. Yohan Leclerc is the translator of Takahama’s work, which is published in French by Glénat.
Exploring Ōgishima Saijiki
Ōgishima Saijiki (loosely translated as Ōgishima Almanac) presents a collection of stories set on the island of Ōgishima, offering a glimpse into the lives of its inhabitants and their connection to the changing seasons. Takahama’s work is characterized by its delicate art style, subtle storytelling, and focus on everyday life.
The Angoulême International Comics Festival: A Global Celebration of Comics
The Angoulême International Comics Festival, held annually in Angoulême, France, is one of the most prestigious comics festivals in the world. Launched in 1974, the festival celebrates comics from various countries. The festival ran from January 29 to February 2.
A Look Back at the 2024 Festival
Last year’s festival also recognized manga artists:
- Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama‘s Four Japanese in San Francisco 1904-1924 (The Four Immigrants Manga) won the Heritage Selection category.
- Shinya Komatsu‘s Afternoon Yawns (Gogo no Akubi) volume 1 won a Special Jury Award for the Youth Selection category.
- Shōjo manga pioneer Moto Hagio was honored with the “Fauve D’Honneur” award.
- Sentarō Kubota, Kenichi Sakemi, and Hideki Mori‘s Bokkō manga won the Konishi Award.
Other Notable Awards at the 2025 Festival
Besides the awards for Kago and Takahama, other notable winners at the 2025 Angoulême International Comics Festival include:
- Luz, for Two Naked Girls which won the Fauve d’Or for book of the year.
- Lynda Barry, whose collection Come Over Come Over received the Heritage Award.
- John Romita Jr., who was presented an honorary Fauve for his contributions to comics.
Manga’s Continued Recognition on the World Stage
The recognition of Shintaro Kago and Kan Takahama at the Angoulême International Comics Festival highlights the increasing global appreciation of manga as a significant art form. The diverse styles and narratives found within manga continue to captivate audiences worldwide, and these awards serve as a testament to the creative achievements of manga artists.
