Akihito Yoshitomi’s manga series, Monty Paradise -Ijiwaru na Ōsama to Himitsu no Kioku- (The Wicked King and the Secret Memory), has officially ended its serialization. The final chapter was published on August 29 on Hero’s Inc.’s Comiplex manga website, bringing the 2023-launched series to a close.
The Story of The Wicked King and the Secret Memory
The manga follows Heita Tsukigami, a 26-year-old salaryman who, after supposedly falling asleep on a train, awakens in a mysterious location—a garbage dump. He finds himself in a strange world known as Montgomery Kingdom (or Monty Paradise), a realm governed by a “wicked king” named Pirithos. As Heita navigates this unfamiliar paradise, he becomes entangled in a perilous situation and encounters a cryptic girl named Emma. The series explores a world where memories play a crucial role in determining one’s fate, adding a layer of intrigue to its action, adventure, isekai, and sci-fi genres.
Akihito Yoshitomi’s Diverse Portfolio
Akihito Yoshitomi is a prolific Japanese manga artist known for a wide array of works across various genres. Born on September 5, 1970, in Miyazaki Prefecture, Yoshitomi’s career spans several decades. His most recognized works include Eat-Man, which comprised 19 volumes and was adapted into an anime series, and Ray, consisting of 7 volumes, which also received an anime adaptation. Another notable work, Blue Drop, was also adapted into an anime series.
Yoshitomi’s bibliography showcases his versatility, including titles such as Loan Knight, Gate Runner, Tropical Girls, After School of the Earth, and School Mermaid. He has also been involved in one-shot manga with yuri content and has recently been uploading videos to his YouTube channel, where he shares his drawing process and insights into manga creation. Yoshitomi’s work often incorporates elements of sci-fi, and he cites inspirations such as Katsuhiro Otomo, Masamune Shirow, Shinichi Hoshi, and Yasutaka Tsutsui. He is also a fan of heavy metal and progressive rock, with Yes being his favorite band.
The conclusion of The Wicked King and the Secret Memory marks another completed chapter in the extensive career of this imaginative manga artist.
