New Horror Manga from the Creator of Rising Sun: True Stories Set in Self-Defense Force Bases
Famous mangaka Satoshi Fujiwara, known for his military-themed works such as Rising Sun, has turned his focus to the horror genre. The manga titled Kichi Kowa: Jieitai Kichi de Hontou ni Atta Kowai Hanashi (Base Horrors: True Horror Stories That Happened at Self-Defense Force Bases), written by Fujiwara and illustrated by Kairo Funaki, hit shelves in Japan on April 9. This omnibus-style work is based on supernatural events personally recounted by personnel serving at Japan's military bases.
Satoshi Fujiwara gained great prestige in the manga world, particularly with Rising Sun and its sequel Rising Sun R, which focus on the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). Fujiwara's expertise in this field comes from the realism he brings to his works, as he is a former JSDF member himself. In this new project, he presents unexplained events occurring in barracks governed by military discipline and strict rules, combined with Kairo Funaki's dark and atmospheric illustrations.
Military bases in Japan have long been the center of urban legends and ghost stories. Kichi Kowa combines this cultural heritage with a modern narrative. The series includes many different testimonies, from mysterious silhouettes seen during night shifts to strange noises in abandoned ammunition depots. These stories, serialized in Futabasha's Comic Action magazine, blend events that are claimed to have "really happened" in the stressful environment of military life with a documentary-style horror.
Bringing together fans of horror and the military, this volume offers a very intriguing option for fans of the genre. Satoshi Fujiwara's realistic narrative style and Kairo Funaki's visual power aim to bring a fresh breath to the "military horror" genre. Although no English or Turkish license announcement has been made yet, the work is expected to attract attention on digital platforms and in the international market thanks to Fujiwara's loyal fan base.
