Highlights
- KADOKAWA introduces KMC, turning classic literature into manga for modern audiences to enjoy in a new format.
- International and Japanese novels chosen aim to draw wider audience and make timeless stories more accessible.
- KMC endeavors to bring classic literature to new readers while retaining the essence and integrity of the original works.
KADOKAWA is one of the biggest names in the manga industry these days, and like all industries, they are always trying new things to continue to survive in the competitive market. This past week, they announced a new line of manga that they are going to be releasing with an interesting concept. Instead of new original stories, these manga are going to take classic literature novels and turn them into manga. This new line is going to be called KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics (KMC).
The news came via PR Times at the start of this past week. The first books in this new line will be released in late July, with five titles announced so far for this adaptation. The classic novels are both international and Japanese titles, so there will be more than just Japanese stories in this particular manga series. So far, five titles have been announced to launch this new line.
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The Idea Behind KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics
KMC is an all-new line from KADOKAWA, bringing something fresh to the world of manga by exploring the past. The pieces of literature that have been chosen are all ones that the publishers feel are not only still popular today, but will continue to be popular even 100 years from now. They tell timeless stories that people around the world have been enjoying for years. The point of KMC is to tell these classic stories in a new way, focusing on "modernity and entertainment" through the mangas' illustrations and the ways the stories will be retold.
The first five works of classic literature that are being reworked as manga are The Silent Miaow by Paul Gallico, Tōno Monogatari by Kunio Yanagita, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Zanzō ni Kuchibeni o by Yasutaka Tsutsui, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The manga are being written and illustrated by up-and-coming manga artists, giving them somewhere to really make a name for themselves if their adaptations are successful. The stories will be true to the original novels while adding a bit of creative freedom as well by the mangaka. For example, about the first manga based on The Silent Miaow, PR Times reports (translated from Japanese):
This is a masterpiece that sharply depicts the true nature of humans from a cat's perspective, and is sure to be awe-inspiring even if you are not interested in cats... This time, we have created a manga that will make you laugh and cry about the great struggle of cats to control humans, while retaining the fun of the original work.
The integrity of the original story will remain, with modern and unique touches being made in the new manga form. Official English translations have not been announced yet, but considering the popularity of KADOKAWA overseas, hopefully, they will follow shortly.
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Can Manga Based on Classic Literature Succeed?
Manga and classic literature are not usually seen as partnering well, but that doesn't mean that KMC won't be able to succeed. On the contrary, while many classic stories may be intimidating for some people to read today, consuming them in manga form may be more accessible and appealing. Plus, if the stories are indeed being modernized without losing what made them timeless in the first place, even more people are likely to enjoy reading them because they are easier to understand.
Classic literature can sometimes be seen as boring, intimidating, or a world only for intellectual people to enjoy. KMC is breaking down that barrier by making classic stories something that can be enjoyed by everyone. People who love the original stories can enjoy seeing them in a new format and retold in a new way, and people who have never read them before will get an introduction that is more palatable for them. With the first title set to launch this summer, and four more already announced for the following months, this looks like only the beginning for KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics.
KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics will begin with The Silent Miaow on July 20, 2024.
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Source: PR Times