LaLa Magazine Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary: A Special Tribute to Kare Kano from Ririko Tsujita
LaLa, one of Japan's most established shojo manga magazines, is crowning its 50th anniversary with a massive project. Published by Hakusensha, the magazine has launched a new event titled "LaLa Love Letter" to celebrate its half-century history. The first guest of the project is Ririko Tsujita, the creator of beloved series such as Warau Kanoko-sama and Koi dano Ai dano. Within the scope of this special project, Tsujita expressed her admiration for the Kare Kano series, which is considered one of the cornerstones of the shojo world.
This first "love letter," published in the May issue of LaLaDX which hit shelves on April 3, 2026, is more than just an emotional message. Ririko Tsujita prepared a special illustration in which she reinterpreted the legendary characters Yukino Miyazawa and Soichiro Arima, created by master mangaka Masami Tsuda, in her own unique style. In her published message, Tsujita spoke highly of the influence of Kare Kano on her own artistic journey and the innovations the series' character depth brought to the shojo genre.
Kare Kano (Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou), written by Masami Tsuda, was serialized in LaLa magazine between 1996 and 2005, evolving into a massive 21-volume collection. The series, which tells the story of two perfectionist students who drop their fake masks and fall in love with each other, became a global phenomenon after being adapted into an anime in 1998 by Neon Genesis Evangelion director Hideaki Anno and the Gainax studio. LaLa magazine, which began its publication life in 1976, continues to maintain its weight in the industry by hosting many cult works such as Natsume Yuujinchou and Ouran High School Host Club.
This meaningful project holds great importance for fans in terms of strengthening the intergenerational bond in the manga world. The fact that today's popular authors express their respect for the masters who came before them in this way also paves the way for classic series to meet a new generation of readers. The "LaLa Love Letter" series is expected to continue in the coming months with contributions from other famous mangakas, and various exhibitions and special content are expected to be announced throughout the year as part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations.
