New Manga from Takako Shimura: Adaptation of "Danchi no Futari" Begins
One of the most delicate pens in the manga world, Takako Shimura, has returned with a new project that excites her fans. Shimura has begun adapting the popular novel Danchi no Futari (The Duo of the Housing Complex) by award-winning author Chiya Fujino into a manga. The series debuted in the May issue of Futabasha's JOUR magazine, which hit shelves on April 2nd.
The story revolves around two women in their 50s, Natsuko (Natchan) and Noe (Noechi), who are single and childhood friends. Returning to the old housing complex (danchi) where they grew up together, the duo shares the small troubles of daily life, old memories, and the new situations brought on by aging. The intimate and occasionally melancholic friendship between Natsuko, an illustrator, and Noe, a part-time university lecturer, offers readers a peaceful slice-of-life perspective.
This project is not the first collaboration between Takako Shimura and Chiya Fujino. Shimura previously adapted Fujino's novel Route 225 into a manga, which received great acclaim. Known particularly for works like Aoi Hana (Sweet Blue Flowers) and Hourou Musuko (Wandering Son), Shimura is recognized for her mastery in reflecting the inner worlds and complex emotions of her characters. Akutagawa Prize-winning author Fujino enhances the literary depth of this partnership with her success in handling characters outside of social norms and the details of everyday life.
The popularity of Danchi no Futari is not limited to the manga world. The story was also adapted into a television series by NHK in recent months, starring Kyoko Koizumi and Satomi Kobayashi. This new manga adaptation offers an unmissable opportunity for both fans of the series and those who love Shimura's unique drawing style. Focusing on the friendship of mature characters and possessing a "healing" (iyashikei) atmosphere, this series has already become one of the notable works of the year for enthusiasts of the genre.
