Yukinobu Hoshino’s Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen manga, the latest installment in the Professor Munakata series, is taking a brief hiatus. Fans of the anthropology professor and folklorist will have to wait a little longer for his adventures.
A Month-Long Break
According to the 11th issue of Shogakukan’s Big Comic magazine, the manga will be on hold and is scheduled to return on July 10, 2025, with color pages.
What is Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen?
Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen (宗像教授世界篇), which translates to Professor Munakata – World Arc, is the newest manga in Yukinobu Hoshino’s Munakata Kyōju (Professor Munakata) series. Hoshino launched the manga in Big Comic in February 2023.
The series follows Professor Munakata, a renowned anthropologist and folklorist, as he investigates the connections between folklore, fairy tales, and actual historical occurrences. Munakata posits that many stories typically regarded as fictional are rooted in real events. The manga chronicles his journeys as he pieces together clues from both the imaginary world of fairy tales and the tangible evidence of historical records.
The Premise of the Series
Professor Munakata’s central thesis revolves around the idea that myths and legends often contain kernels of truth, reflecting distorted or symbolic accounts of past events. He delves into various cultural narratives, seeking to uncover the historical basis behind them. This quest often takes him to different locations around the world, where he interacts with local experts, examines ancient artifacts, and deciphers cryptic texts.
Themes Explored
- The Interconnectedness of History and Mythology: The series emphasizes the idea that history and mythology are not separate entities but rather intertwined aspects of human culture.
- The Power of Storytelling: Munakata’s investigations highlight the role of storytelling in preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge across generations.
- The Importance of Critical Thinking: The manga encourages readers to question conventional wisdom and to approach historical and mythological narratives with a critical and analytical mindset.
Who is Yukinobu Hoshino?
Yukinobu Hoshino (星野 之宣, Hoshino Yukinobu, born January 29, 1954) is a Japanese manga artist. He was born in Kushiro, Hokkaidō. He is known for his science fiction manga, as well as his works based on ancient and prehistoric histories.
Early Life and Career
Hoshino dropped out of Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music after two years to pursue a manga career in Tokyo. He debuted in 1975 with Kotetsu no Queen. In the same year, he received the Tezuka Award for Harukanaru Asa, praised by Osamu Tezuka. An early success came in 1976 when he wrote Blue City for Weekly Shonen Jump. He won an Excellence Prize at the 2008 Japan Media Arts Festival for Munakata Kyouju Ikouroku.
Style and Influences
Hoshino was influenced by Osamu Tezuka’s and Jiro Kuwata’s science fiction manga and the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Initially, his artistic style resembled Mikiya Mochizuki’s, with humorous touches, but he transitioned to the gekiga style. He is known for creating detailed and serious science fiction stories based on American and European SF novels, while creating a completely different storyline.
Notable Works
Hoshino’s major works include:
- 2001 Nights
- Yamataika
- Munakata Kyouju Denkiko
- Blue Hole
- Blue World
2001 Nights
2001 Nights (2001夜物語) is a collection of science fiction short stories that explore mankind’s exploration of space and the possibilities that could be faced when taking the first steps into the unknown.
Yamataika
Yamataika (ヤマタイカ) is a manga based on ancient Japanese history and mythology, focusing on the legendary kingdom of Yamatai.
Munakata Kyouju Series
The Munakata Kyouju series includes:
- Munakata Kyouju Denkiko (宗像教授伝奇考)
- Munakata Kyouju Ikouroku (宗像教授異考録)
- Munakata Kyouju Sekai-hen (宗像教授世界篇)
Blue Hole and Blue World
Blue Hole (ブルーホール) is a manga series about the discovery of a gateway in time and space deep underwater, allowing travel between the present day and the age of the dinosaurs. A sequel, titled Blue World (ブルー・ワールド), continued the story.
Legacy
Hoshino’s work is recognized by the British Museum, which displayed his art from November 5, 2009, to January 3, 2010.
Where Can You Read Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen?
Munakata Kyōju Sekai-hen is serialized in Big Comic, published by Shogakukan. As of January 2025, there are 4 ongoing volumes in Japan.
Final Thoughts
While the hiatus may be disappointing for fans, it provides an opportunity to revisit previous installments of the Professor Munakata series and delve deeper into the mysteries of history and folklore that Hoshino masterfully weaves into his stories. The return on July 10, 2025, with color pages promises a visually stunning continuation of Professor Munakata’s world explorations.
