The heartwarming manga series Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi, penned and illustrated by Yuri Sonoda, has been honored with the prestigious Japan Cartoonists Association Award. This delightful series has captured the hearts of readers with its touching portrayal of friendship, resilience, and the everyday lives of stray cats.
What is the Japan Cartoonists Association Award?
The Japan Cartoonists Association Award (日本漫画家協会賞, Nihon Mangaka Kyōkai Shō) stands as an annual accolade within the manga industry, presented by the Japan Cartoonists Association (JCA). First established in 1972, the award recognizes outstanding works that contribute to the enrichment and advancement of manga and cartooning as art forms in Japan.
Categories and Prizes
The Japan Cartoonists Association Award recognizes excellence across several categories. While the specific categories can vary from year to year, they generally include:
- Grand Prize: Awarded to works of exceptional merit.
- Excellence Award: Recognizes outstanding achievements in specific areas.
- Special Award: Given to works that demonstrate unique contributions or innovation.
- Manga Kingdom Tottori Award:
- Manga Kingdom Tosa Award
- MEXT Award:
Winners of the Grand Prize receive a gold plaque, a medal, and a cash prize of ¥500,000 (approximately US$3,260). Excellence Award and MEXT Award recipients are awarded a silver plaque (gold for MEXT), a medal, and ¥200,000 (about US$1,300).
Illustrious Past Winners
The Japan Cartoonists Association Award has a rich history of recognizing influential manga artists and series. Past winners include:
- 2023: SPY x FAMILY by Tatsuya Endo.
- 2024: Calorie no Tsuyagoto (Calorie’s Love Affair) by Yuua Oda (Comic Division), Takupedia by Taku Furukawa (Cartoon Division), and Chiikawa by Nagano (Manga Division).
‘Maruru and Hachi’: A Synopsis
Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi tells the story of two stray cats navigating the challenges of street life. Maruru, a pampered housecat, becomes lost after chasing sparrows and finds himself in unfamiliar territory. He encounters Hachi, a tough stray who has spent his entire life on the streets.
Initially, Hachi is hostile toward Maruru, viewing him as an unwelcome intruder. However, after Maruru saves Hachi from a dangerous situation, Hachi takes the lost cat under his wing. Together, they learn to survive, search for food and shelter, and form an unlikely friendship.
Themes and Impact
Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi delves into poignant themes of:
- Friendship: The bond between Maruru and Hachi highlights the importance of companionship and support in difficult circumstances.
- Resilience: The manga showcases the cats’ ability to overcome challenges and adapt to their harsh environment.
- Stray Animal Awareness: The series sheds light on the realities faced by stray animals, including the struggle to find food and shelter, the dangers of the streets, and the threat of animal control.
The manga also offers moments of hope, particularly through the kindness of an elderly woman who feeds the strays, despite opposition from her neighbors. This character underscores the importance of compassion and empathy towards animals in need.
A Manga For All Ages
Despite being marketed as an all-ages manga, Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi doesn’t shy away from portraying the harsh realities of life as a stray. The manga has comical moments, but also moments that can break the reader’s heart, showing the cats struggling in situations that are not fair. Hachi’s backstory reveals his friendship with an older cat who is constantly overlooked because of his age, leading to a heartbreaking decision. The manga makes you appreciate the fur babies in your life and might encourage you to adopt one of your own.
Where to Read
The manga Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi is available for purchase in both print and digital formats from various retailers, including:
- Amazon
- Crunchyroll Store
- Seven Seas Entertainment
Yuri Sonoda: The Author
Yuri Sonoda is the talented author and illustrator behind Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi. Sonoda is also known for other manga works, including Kitsune-kun to Sensei and Ashiato Tantei.
Other 2024 Award Winners
Alongside Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi, the 53rd Japan Cartoonists Association Awards recognized other outstanding works in various categories:
- Comic Division Grand Prize: Calorie no Tsuyagoto (Calorie’s Love Affair) by Yuua Oda
- Cartoon Division Grand Prize: Takupedia by Taku Furukawa
- Manga Division Grand Prize: Chiikawa by Nagano
- Manga Kingdom Tottori Award: Dragon and Chameleon by Ryo Ishiyama
- Manga Kingdom Tosa Award: Kyonen no Yuki (Last Year’s Snow) by Eiichi Muraoka
- MEXT Award: Nagayasu Takumi Zensakuhin (Takumi Nagayasu: The Complete Works) by Takumi Nagayasu
The Enduring Appeal of Manga
Manga continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its diverse genres, compelling storytelling, and unique artistic styles. The Japan Cartoonists Association Award plays a vital role in celebrating and promoting the art of manga, recognizing the talented creators who bring these stories to life.
