“KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics” is a new series that will turn the world's greatest masterpieces into comics. Recommendations from celebrities have arrived.

• What is KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics?

This is a new series in which up-and-coming manga artists will be adapting carefully selected stories that are sure to remain masterpieces even 100 years from now, from classic works loved all over the world to hidden gems.

This series has been produced with a focus on modernity and entertainment value in terms of the illustrations, story, and design.

How should people live? How can we free ourselves from doubt and worry? What kind of intelligence and culture is needed now? In this age where there are no answers, we bring you stories in a new format that will give you the strength to move forward.

Official site

Official X account: @kadokawa_kmc

• Recommendations come in from famous book lovers from all walks of life!

We have received recommendation comments from famous book-loving people who agree with the purpose of this series.

*In alphabetical order of last name

Anne (actress)

Kengo (Novel introduction creator)

Seigo Matsuoka (Editorial Engineer)

CreepHyp's Sekai Ozaki (musician and novelist)

QuizKnock (a knowledge group from the University of Tokyo)

Shu Yamaguchi (Independent researcher, author and public speaker)

Top row, from left: Anne, Kengo, and Seigo Matsuoka; bottom row, from left: CreepHyp's Sekai No Ozaki, QuizKnock, and Shu Yamaguchi

■ Anne (actress)

To a world yet to be seen.

Manga will give you the push you need to take that first step.

■Kengo-san (Novel introduction creator)

It is a gateway to reading in the form of a manga.

I suddenly wanted to read the original book.

■Masataka Matsuoka (editorial engineer)

When you open this door,

The world is going numb.

A masterpiece can be transformed at will.

■CreepHyp's Sekai Ozaki (musician and novelist)

Manga can take you anywhere, and novels are always there for you.

I hope this series will inspire many journeys.

■QuizKnock (a knowledge group from the University of Tokyo)

This is a well-thought-out lineup that will make you want to read. I'm looking forward to lining up the books on my bookshelf.

■Mr. Shu Yamaguchi (Independent researcher, author and public speaker)

We can read the wisdom of humanity in manga. What a great time we live in.

We plan to release more recommendation comments for the series and each work in the series in the future, so please look forward to them.

• First publication lineup released

For the first part of the series, we will be adapting the following five carefully selected works from Japan and around the world. This selection will impress even book lovers, including some works being adapted into comics for the first time in Japan.

■ Paul Gallico, “The Language of Cats”(Japanese edition, original publisher: Chikuma Shobo)

Manga: Sashima Katana / Release date: July 20, 2024

■ Kunio Yanagita, “Tales of Tono”(Original publisher: KADOKAWA)

Manga: Kujiratei / Scheduled for release in September 2024

■The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho(Japanese edition, original publisher: KADOKAWA)

Manga: Tamaki Nakamura / Scheduled for release in November 2024

■ Yasutaka Tsutsui “Lipstick on the Afterimage”(Original Publisher: Chuokoron-Shinsha)

Manga: Hiroaki Terada / Scheduled for release in January 2025

■ Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby”(Japanese edition, original publisher: KADOKAWA)

Scheduled for release in March 2025

• “Cat Language Textbook” will be released on July 20, 2024. The original has sold about 200,000 copies! A comic adaptation of the popular work that has been popular for 26 years and is still going strong.

The first book in the series, “Cat Language Textbook” (manga by Sashima Katana, original story by Paul Gallico), will be released on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

This is a very unique work that is “a textbook on human discipline written by a cat for cats.” It is a masterpiece that sharply depicts the true nature of humans from a cat's perspective, and even if you are not interested in cats, you will surely be amazed.

The original Japanese translation was published by Chikumashobo 26 years ago. It has sold a total of 200,000 copies and remains a popular classic to this day.

This time, we will be delivering a manga that will make you laugh and cry, depicting the cats' struggle to dominate humans, while retaining all the fun of the original.

Bibliographic information

“Cat Language Textbook”

Manga: Katana Sashima

Original story: Paul Gallico

Commentary: Mizuhito Kanehara

Translated by: Kari Haijima (Original Japanese translation: Published by Chikuma Shobo)

Publisher: KADOKAWA Corporation

Price: 1,320 yen (1,200 yen + tax)

Release date: Saturday, July 20, 2024

Format: A5

Number of pages: 280

ISBN: 978-4-04-605926-0

KADOKAWA official bibliographic details page

Amazon product page

Kadokawa Store product page

• KMC website opening celebration! Follow & repost campaign

To celebrate the opening of the official KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics website, we are holding a follow and repost campaign. Please apply!

KMC website opening celebration! Follow & repost campaign

＜Prizes＞

Book Card NEXT 1,000 yen (30 winners)

STEP 1: Follow the official KADOKAWA Masterpiece Comics editorial department account “@kadokawa_kmc” on X (Twitter)

STEP 2: Check the notes and repost (RT) the relevant post

(*Please check the relevant posts from the official accounts listed above for important points.)

From Monday, June 3, 2024 to Monday, June 17, 2024 at 23:59

The winners will only be sent a DM (direct message) with the Tosho Card NEXT code from “@kadokawa_kmc” by Sunday, June 30, 2024.

*Please make sure to set up your account to receive DMs in advance.

＜Inquiries＞

KADOKAWA Customer Support

*Please be sure to clearly state the campaign name “KMC Site Opening Celebration! Follow & Repost Campaign.”

*Support is only available within Japan.