Masasumi Kakizaki, the acclaimed manga artist best known for Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin, is set to launch a new manga series titled Kyokuhoku no Geroi (Geroi in the Arctic). The World War II-themed manga will debut in the May issue of Shogakukan’s Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine, hitting shelves on April 12, 2025.
Kyokuhoku no Geroi: A Grim Tale from the Kuril Islands
Kyokuhoku no Geroi transports readers to Shumshu, an island near the northernmost tip of the Kuril Islands. This location served as a crucial frontline in the conflict against the United States during World War II. Set in the summer of 1945, as the war nears its end, the story depicts an unforeseen and intense battle about to erupt on this remote, strategic island. The manga promises to delve into the harsh realities and untold stories of soldiers caught in the crossfire of a desperate struggle.
Masasumi Kakizaki: A Master of Diverse Genres
Masasumi Kakizaki has built a reputation as a versatile and skilled manga artist, known for his compelling storytelling and distinctive art style. While Rainbow remains one of his most celebrated works, Kakizaki’s portfolio spans various genres, showcasing his ability to tackle diverse themes and settings.
Notable Works by Masasumi Kakizaki
- Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin (Rainbow: The Seven from Block 2, Cell 6): A critically acclaimed manga, written by George Abe and illustrated by Kakizaki, focusing on seven juvenile delinquents in a post-war reformatory. This work earned the Shogakukan Manga Award in 2006. The series highlights the struggles of the lower class in post-war Japanese society.
- Green Blood: A manga set in 19th-century New York, following the lives of Irish immigrant brothers caught in gang warfare. The series is known for its gritty realism and intense action.
- Hideout: A psychological horror manga about a man who travels to an island with his wife hoping to reconcile, but instead descends into madness.
- Bestiarius: A manga set in the Roman Empire, where humans and monsters clash.
- Spy no Tsuma (The Spy’s Wife): A manga adaptation of the live-action television movie, set during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The story revolves around a trading company owner and his wife who uncover a dark national secret.
Other Works
- Kansen Rettō: A horror manga adapted into a live-action film in 2009.
- Yomotsuhegui: Scions of the Underworld: A supernatural action manga series that Kakizaki ended in September 2023.
- X-Gene: Kakizaki’s first series, a science fiction/action manga written by Kentarô Fumitsuki.
Anticipation for Kyokuhoku no Geroi
With Kyokuhoku no Geroi, Kakizaki returns to the historical genre, promising a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of World War II. Fans and new readers alike eagerly anticipate his portrayal of the brutal realities faced by soldiers on the Kuril Islands, combined with his signature artistic style and storytelling prowess. The manga’s debut in April is expected to draw significant attention, further solidifying Kakizaki’s position as a prominent figure in the manga world.
