Momoko Sakura, 40th anniversary of debut! Kojikoji and Maruko appear on the back cover of “Ribon”! Drawn by maki

Manga artist Momoko Sakura will be celebrating her 40th anniversary this year. To commemorate this, the June issue of the girl’s manga magazine “Ribon” (Shueisha), which will be released on May 2nd, has a special double cover project featuring popular characters from Momoko Sakura’s works on the back cover.

Maruko, who has impressive clear eyes, as well as Kojikoji, Jiro, and Kakan-kun, were drawn by Maki, a creator who is currently popular for Ribon’s “Illustration Lensai” “no words.” A collaboration between two popular artists has been realized: Sakura, who has been a driving force behind Ribon for a long time with her overwhelming creativity, and Maki, who has gained support from readers for her unique drawing ability.

The same issue also features the manga “Chibi Maruko-chan,” drawn by Botan Kohagi, who supported Sakura as her assistant for many years. A total of 31 pages (including color pages) of “Fuyuta-san’s Love,” a story based on the script that Sakura wrote for the TV anime, are included.

The “Sakura Momoko Exhibition” started in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture in the fall of 2022 and is currently touring nationwide. It will be held at the Nagoya venue (Matsuzakaya Museum of Art) from June 22, 2024, and at the Tokyo venue (Mori Arts Center Gallery) from October 5, 2024.

This exhibition highlights Sakura’s versatility and features many of her representative works, as well as rare handwritten manuscripts and original color drawings. While she enjoys drawing and writing and is very busy, she also loves the changing seasons and small daily life, and we are fully conveying the charm of her.