New Manga from Psycho-Pass Writer Makoto Fukami: Chōgen Market Heroes Volume 1 Hits Shelves!
Makoto Fukami, the genius behind Psycho-Pass, one of the most beloved dark science fiction series in the anime world, is back with a much different and more nostalgic project! The first volume of the manga Chōgen Market Heroes: Menkoriba Sā Kakeru, written by Fukami and brought to life with illustrations by Namikawa Shusaku, officially hit shelves in Japan on June 26. The series makes a very interesting start by blending a traditional children's toy with a modern hero story.
Our story centers on Ginga Kakeru, who was once famous as a "hobby fighter" but has since lost his spark and is living an ordinary life. While Kakeru buries the painful memories of his past and spends his days aimlessly, a mysterious man named Dengal appears before him. Dengal hands him "Ultra Menko," a special version of the Menko cards that were his greatest passion as a child. From this moment on, Kakeru transforms into a hero who fights against massive villains and has the power to turn everything around.
One of the most striking aspects of the manga is that it centers on a traditional Japanese game like Menko. For those who don't know, Menko is a nostalgic game similar to the "Tazo" craze, where players try to flip cards on the ground by throwing their own cards at them. However, things don't stop at just a game in this manga; the series explores the "Hero x Business" theme, telling the story of the founding process of a limited liability company called Hobby is Justice (HIJ) and the struggles of the heroes within this commercial structure. The series actually serves as an adaptation that expands the world of the Chōgen Market Heroes board game already on the market.
Looking at the background of writer Makoto Fukami, it is not hard to understand why this series is so intriguing. Fukami is known for his success not only with Psycho-Pass but also with projects such as Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka, the 2016 Berserk anime series, and one of the popular productions of recent times, Heavenly Delusion. It is a matter of great curiosity among fans how the author, who generally loves dark and military themes, will add depth to this more colorful and action-packed "hobby battle" story. The series, published in Weekly CoroCoro Comic, aims to appeal to both old-school hobby enthusiasts and the new generation of action lovers.
