New Manga from Taiyo Matsumoto: “Nanbanjin”, Set in the Muromachi Period, Has Begun
Taiyo Matsumoto, one of the most unique pens in the manga world, has returned with a new project that excites his fans. Matsumoto's new series, titled Nanbanjin (Southern Barbarians), began its publication life on April 20 in the 9th issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Original magazine. This new series draws attention not only with Matsumoto's unique drawing style but also as the product of an international collaboration.
Nanbanjin is based on an original concept proposed by the famous French comic book artist Cyril Pedrosa. The story takes place in Japan's Muromachi Period, specifically on the island of Tanegashima, where events that changed the course of history took place. This artistic bridge between Pedrosa, known for works such as Portugal and The Golden Age, and Matsumoto promises a profound narrative that blends manga and the Franco-Belgian school (BD).
In a historical context, the term Nanbanjin was used to describe Portuguese merchants and missionaries who came to Japan in the 16th century. The series focuses on this critical period in 1543, when firearms (muskets) first entered Japanese territory, and the impact of foreign cultures on the local population. Taiyo Matsumoto places the character depth he previously demonstrated in works like Ping Pong, Tekkonkinkreet, and Sunny into a historical drama this time.
Having won major awards at the Eisner Awards and the Angoulême International Comics Festival throughout his career, Matsumoto solidifies his place in the seinen (adult male readership) genre with this new work. Considering that Big Comic Original magazine is published twice a month, readers will be able to follow this historical journey at regular intervals. For manga lovers curious about the effects of cultural clashes and technological change on the human soul, Nanbanjin seems to be a candidate for one of the most important releases of the year.
