JapaneseManga ArtistIllustratorManga

Akira Akatsuki

Akira Akatsuki is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator known for his distinctive artistic style and collaborative works, most notably the ''Medaka Box'' series.

1. Overview

Akira Akatsuki, born on August 18, 1977, is a highly regarded Japanese manga artist known for his distinctive artistic style and significant contributions, particularly as an illustrator for collaborative works. He is most widely recognized for his work on Medaka Box, a series written by Nisio Isin that ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2009 to 2013 and later received a TV anime adaptation. Beyond Medaka Box, Akatsuki has lent his illustrative talents to numerous other serialized and one-shot manga, often collaborating with prominent writers, demonstrating his versatility and impact on the manga industry. His dedication to visual storytelling and his role in bringing complex narratives to life underscore his importance within contemporary Japanese comics.

2. Life and Career

Akira Akatsuki's career as a manga artist began in the early 2000s, leading to a prolific output characterized by notable collaborations and successful serialized works.

2.1. Early Life and Debut

Akira Akatsuki was born on August 18, 1977. His entry into the professional manga world began in 2003 with his debut work, Z-XLダイZ-XL DaiJapanese. This initial work was published in Akamaru Jump, an anthology magazine known for showcasing new talent and one-shots.

2.2. Career Milestones

Following his debut, Akatsuki achieved his first serialization in 2007 with 神力契約者M&YShinryoku Keiyakusha M&YJapanese (also known as Contractor M&Y), which appeared in Weekly Shōnen Jump. This marked a significant step in his career, establishing his presence in a major publication.

A pivotal moment came in 2009 when he began his long-running collaboration with acclaimed author Nisio Isin on the manga series Medaka Box. Akatsuki served as the illustrator for this highly popular series, which was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2009 until its conclusion in 2013, spanning 22 volumes. The success of Medaka Box led to its adaptation into a television anime series in 2012, significantly boosting Akatsuki's recognition.

After Medaka Box, Akatsuki continued his active participation in the manga industry, often as an illustrator for diverse projects. In 2015, he began illustrating ルガーコード1951Luger Code 1951Japanese, which was serialized in Shonen Jump+ until 2016. This work was later adapted into an ONA (Original Net Anime) by Studio Deen in 2016. He further collaborated with Nisio Isin on 症年症女Shōnen ShōjoJapanese (2016-2017) and 十二大戦 (2017-2018), both of which were also serialized. His recent works include 運命のナポリタン(仮)Unmei no Napolitan (Kari)Japanese, published in 2024.

3. Works

Akira Akatsuki's body of work spans various formats, including serialized manga, one-shots, and illustrations for other media, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

3.1. Manga

Akira Akatsuki has primarily made his mark as a manga artist, working both independently and, notably, as an illustrator for numerous acclaimed writers.

3.1.1. Serialized Manga

Akatsuki's serialized manga works often feature detailed artwork complementing engaging narratives. His major serialized series include:

  • 神力契約者M&YShinryoku Keiyakusha M&YJapanese (also Contractor M&Y or Controller M&Y): Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from February to March 2007, compiled into 2 volumes.
  • Medaka Box (めだかボックスMedaka BokkusuJapanese): Illustrated by Akatsuki, with original story by Nisio Isin. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2009 to 2013, collected into 22 volumes. This is his most well-known work.
  • ルガーコード1951Luger Code 1951Japanese: Illustrated by Akatsuki, based on a story by Ryohito Hagi. Serialized in Shonen Jump+ from December 2015 to February 2016.
  • 症年症女Shōnen ShōjoJapanese (Boy-Girl Syndrome): Illustrated by Akatsuki, with original story by Nisio Isin. Serialized in Jump Square from February 2016 to May 2017, compiled into 3 volumes.
  • 十二大戦 (Juni Taisen): Illustrated by Akatsuki, with original story by Nisio Isin. Serialized in Shonen Jump+ from September 2017 to May 2018, collected into 4 volumes.
  • BOXER's BLAST: Illustrated by Akatsuki, with original story by Atsuro Sakai. Serialized in Jump Square from December 2018 to October 2019, compiled into 3 volumes.
  • 秘密のミヅキ先生Himitsu no Mizuki-senseiJapanese (Secret Teacher Mizuki): Serialized in Doradora Sharp# from November to December 2023. A prologue version of this work was previously posted on Akatsuki's Pixiv account.
  • 運命のナポリタン(仮)Unmei no Napolitan (Kari)Japanese (Fated Napolitan (Tentative)) : Illustrated by Akatsuki, based on a relay novel by Bike Kawasaki Bike, Mochio Uozuri, Aoi Midoro, and Kimiuta Mieuchi. Began exclusive advance distribution on Comic Cmoa in August 2024.
  • 地雷グリコJirai GlicoJapanese (Minefield Glico): Illustrated by Akatsuki, based on a story by Yugo Aosaki. Began serialization in Young Animal in October 2024.

3.1.2. One-shot Manga

Akatsuki has also contributed numerous one-shot manga to various publications:

  • Z-XLダイZ-XL DaiJapanese: Published in Akamaru Jump in Summer 2003.
  • ANGEL AGENT: Published in Jump the REVOLUTION! in 2005. It was later included in the first volume of Contractor M&Y.
  • 神力契約者M&YShinryoku Keiyakusha M&YJapanese: A one-shot version published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2006, later included in the second volume of Contractor M&Y.
  • LITTLE BRAVE プカテリオスLittle Brave PukateriosuJapanese: Published in Akamaru Jump in Summer 2008.
  • めだかボックス: A one-shot version of Medaka Box published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2009, later included in the Medaka Box Complete Guidebook: Medaka Books.
  • 図書館救世主倶楽部Toshokan Kyūseishu KurabuJapanese (Library Savior Club): Published in Jump Next! in Winter 2014.
  • 娘入り箱Musume Iri-BakoJapanese (Girl in a Box): Illustrated by Akatsuki, with original story by Nisio Isin. Published in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014 and later collected in the single volume Ōgiri (The Great Decapitation) published in 2015, which compiles various one-shots by Nisio Isin and other artists.
  • たびたびデーモンストレーションTabitabi DemonstrationJapanese (Repeated Demonstration): Illustrated by Akatsuki, with original story by Nisio Isin. Published in Jump Square in December 2019.
  • STOP! 海賊版KaizokubanJapanese (STOP! Pirated Editions): A special manga created for the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA) website in 2020 as part of an anti-piracy campaign. It was also made available on Akatsuki's Pixiv account.
  • ヨーコさんは僕に世界征服をさせたがるYōko-san wa Boku ni Sekai Seifuku o SasetagaruJapanese (Yoko Wants Me to Conquer the World): Published in Weekly Young Jump Special Issue: Young Jump Heroine 3 in 2022.

3.2. Illustrations

Beyond manga, Akatsuki has also contributed his artistic talent as an illustrator for novels:

  • ナイトクラスNight ClassJapanese series: Written by Shirozaki Hiya for Jump J-Books. This series includes 3 volumes:
    • 少年は月に叛くShōnen wa Tsuki ni SomukuJapanese (The Boy Rebels Against the Moon)
    • 女王の決断Joō no KetsudanJapanese (The Queen's Decision)
    • 学園崩壊Gakuen HōkaiJapanese (School Collapse)
  • 魔滅のトーコMametsu no TōkoJapanese series: Written by Ringo Hatanaka for Jump J-Books. This series also spans 3 volumes.

3.3. Other Contributions

Akira Akatsuki has also participated in other special projects, showcasing his versatility and respected position within the industry. In 2012, he contributed a special illustration for the 25th-anniversary commemoration of Hirohiko Araki's iconic manga series, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, highlighting his admiration for and connection to foundational works in the manga world.

4. Professional Relationships

Akira Akatsuki's professional journey has been shaped by guidance from mentors and the collaborative efforts of his assistants.

4.1. Mentors

Akira Akatsuki credits fellow manga artist Katsura Hoshino as a mentor. Hoshino is known for her work on D.Gray-man, and Akatsuki's acknowledgement of her influence can be found in the special thanks sections of volumes 6 and 7 of Hoshino's manga. This mentorship reflects the tradition of knowledge transfer and support within the Japanese manga industry.

4.2. Assistants

During his various projects, Akira Akatsuki has worked with several assistants who contributed to the production of his manga. One notable assistant is Ryosuke Takeuchi, whose contributions were mentioned in the end comments of Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2011, issue 31. These assistants play a crucial role in maintaining the demanding production schedules of serialized manga.

5. Legacy and Reception

Akira Akatsuki's works have garnered considerable attention, particularly for their artistic quality and the dynamic collaborations he has undertaken, solidifying his place in the manga industry.

5.1. Critical Reception

Akatsuki's most commercially successful and critically recognized work is undoubtedly Medaka Box. As the illustrator for Nisio Isin's narrative, Akatsuki's art was central to the series' appeal, which ran for four years and was collected into 22 volumes. The popularity of Medaka Box led to its adaptation into a successful television anime series in 2012, indicating its significant commercial and cultural impact. His ability to visually interpret Nisio Isin's intricate plots and unique characters was a key factor in the series' widespread acclaim.

Beyond Medaka Box, other works like ルガーコード1951Luger Code 1951Japanese also received recognition, being adapted into an Original Net Anime in 2016, further demonstrating the appeal of his art in animated form. His consistent output and continued collaborations with prominent writers have maintained his standing as a respected and sought-after artist in the manga industry.

5.2. Influence

Akira Akatsuki's artistic style, characterized by its clean lines, dynamic action sequences, and expressive character designs, has left a notable mark on the shōnen manga genre. His extensive collaborative work, particularly with Nisio Isin, highlights a significant trend in the industry where distinct artistic and writing talents combine to create unique and successful series. This partnership has allowed Akatsuki to showcase his illustrative prowess in adapting various narrative styles, potentially influencing how future collaborations are approached in manga. His ability to visualize complex character emotions and fast-paced action, as seen in Medaka Box and other works, has served as an inspiration for aspiring manga artists seeking to master visual storytelling.