{"id":500,"date":"2025-12-25T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.boundless-art.com\/?p=498"},"modified":"2026-01-05T16:58:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T07:58:35","slug":"interview-the-world-of-wearable-manga-created-with-heart-and-soul-baron-yoshimoto-x-yumiko-igarashi-x-makoto-saso-tokyo-mx-producer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.boundless-art.com\/?p=500","title":{"rendered":"[Interview] The World of \u201cWearable\u201d Manga, Created with Heart and Soul: Baron Yoshimoto \u00d7 Yumiko Igarashi \u00d7 Makoto Saso (TOKYO MX Producer)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tokyo Comic Convention 2025 (Tokyo Comic Con) took place across three days beginning Friday, December 5th at Makuhari Messe. The event serves as a prominent pop culture festival with visitors from across the globe. This year\u2019s event featured Johnny Depp, contributing to a major gathering of cultural celebrities at the venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tokyo Comic Convention 2025 (Tokyo Comic Con) was held for three days from December 5th to December 7th. This year, the event attracted over 70,000 visitors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Japan\u2019s legendary manga artists also visited the event. Alongside the \u201cTOKYO MX presents Wearable World of Buddha by Manga Artists\u201d exhibition at the Ring Stage section, manga artists Baron Yoshimoto and Yumiko Igarashi joined a talk session, with TOKYO MX producer and project director Makoto Saso acting as host. A report on that event can be found in this article<\/mark><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracing back to 2013, renowned manga artists such as Fujio Akatsuka, Yumiko Igarashi, Tetsuya Chiba, Naoki Urasawa, and Baron Yoshimoto produced Budda-inspired artworks following an invitation from Ko Kojima, the Japan Cartoonists Association\u2019s president at that time. This contemporary project revitalized those works – originally designed for a touring exhibition supporting disaster recovery – as wearable items like caps and T-shirts through NEW ERA. This approach goes beyond the typical \u201cbox-type exhibition\u201d structures by positioning the individuals wearing these items as \u201cexhibitors\u201d itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yumiko Igarashi (left), Makoto Saso (center), Baron Yoshimoto (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We sat down with the three panelists from the talk session to learn about their thoughts on the works, their Comic Con experiences, and their reflections on the state of Japan\u2019s manga industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saso – \u201cThis project brought together many distinguished manga artists. I found myself deeply touched by their Buddha-inspired creations. Just keeping them exclusively as gallery pieces would have limited their ability to share this emotional impact in modern times. So my aim was for people to engage with these works by actually \u2018wearing\u2019 them.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Igarashi – \u201cWho could have imagined Buddha-themed arts would end up as caps? Baron wears them beautifully – they\u2019re perfect on him.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baron and Igarashi had finally reunited after 40 years at this Comic Con venue! The event had a vibrant energy, even a last-minute autograph session was decided on the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baron – \u201cDon\u2019t forget to give me my share from the signing session (laughs).\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Igarashi – \u201cHe accepted such a last-minute request – his kindness is truly Buddha-like. Thanks to Baron, I feel 40 years younger and it was incredibly fun. I\u2019ve always admired Baron\u2019s work as a fan. His skill is exceptional – a true master of the craft. When we first met in person, I discovered his approachable and genuine nature. He\u2019s exactly as he was back then, which I find both amazed and delighted.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baron – \u201cIt brings back all the fun memories.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We asked them about their experiences creating the Buddha-inspired artwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baron – \u201cI invested immense effort into \u2018Tennyo Fudo.\u2019 In fact, beyond my ongoing series Ah, Wilderness<\/em>, I am developing a major piece in my studio – roughly two meters tall and four meters wide. Going beyond the manga panel limitations to produce large-format works is genuinely fulfilling.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Igarashi explaining her original artwork of Nyoirin Kannon. \u201cIf I were drawing it now, I\u2019d want to include cats too,\u201d she mentioned.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Igarashi – \u201c\u2018Nyoirin Kannon\u2019 represents freedom from material cravings. These days, I\u2019ve stopped smoking and drinking, I keep my cat as company, and I\u2019m genuinely content – those material desires have left me (laughs). I feel like my life is meaningful and joyful. Maybe the gentleness in this artwork somehow reflected my present emotional state. The experience was completely different from creating manga pages. THis dignified essence might communicate itself to the wearers. I hope those who wear these items will enjoy \u2018interacting\u2019 with the wearable Buddha art, perhaps considering \u2018I would have approached it this way\u2019 as they engage with it.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baron – \u201cExactly. Given they were crafted with such devotion, the pieces carry a distinctive energy. I\u2019m wearing the piece now, but then someone else will be wearing it or showcasing it in the future. This represents a profoundly human method of communication, allowing the artwork to achieve true freedom. I wish for people to sense this broader connection when wearing these items.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saso – \u201cI was involved in the design process, and this initial release features 23 different variations. Naturally, each one represents exceptional artwork filled with manga artists\u2019 creative energy. I hope people feel free to spontaneously choose them based on reactions like \u2018This is adorable\u2019 or \u2018This is nice.\u2019\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Works including Fujio Akatsuka\u2019s \u201cRerere Thousand-Armed Kannon\u201d and Tetsuya Chiba\u2019s \u201cBenzaiten\u201d is available for purchase through this site<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Baron reflected on his experience of this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cComic Con attracts incredible numbers of attendees and you can sense the dynamic atmosphere. I wish to elevate Japanese art and manga on the international stage even more. With Japan experiencing decline across its culture and economy while losing important elements, collaboration with the government becomes crucial for rejuvenating these fields. I want international audiences to uncover more engaging qualities and help develop Japanese culture. I strongly call upon both national and city governments to create a \u2018Tokyo Manga Museum\u2019!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baron is currently working on the series \u2018Ah, Wilderness\u2019 in \u201cComipre\u201d. While he is 85 years old, his vibrant energy left a strong impression. Recently, it was announced that he was selected for the \u201cCommissioner for Cultural Affairs Special Award.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Comic Con unites all varieties of pop culture into a single space. Within this gathering, the influence of Japanese manga culture – a source of global pride – stands out powerfully. This energy originated from the bonds between legendary artists like Baron and Igarashi, their dynamic leadership in the industry, and their commitment to what lies ahead. Why not discover the joy of \u201cwearing\u201d these creations infused with dedication and enthusiasm for manga culture?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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