Tokyo These Days, Volume 3

東京ヒゴロ [Tokyo Higoro] #3

by Taiyo Matsumoto

The winner of multiple Eisner Awards, author Taiyo Matsumoto explores the relationships between a manga editor, manga creators, art, and the rhythm of life these days.

After 30 years as a manga editor, Kazuo Shiozawa suddenly quits. Although he feels early retirement is the only way to atone for his failures as an editor, the manga world isn’t done with him.

Believing in the future of manga while never forgetting its past, Shiozawa accompanies manga creators once again through their agony to create an ultimate manga project. Is there ever joy in creation?

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Japan, Fiction, Japanese Literature, Comix

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2023

About the author

See also: 松本大洋 and 松本 大洋

Although Taiyo Matsumoto desired a career as a professional soccerplayer at first, he eventually chose an artistic profession. He gained his first success through the Comic Open contest, held by the magazine Comic Morning, which allowed him to make his professional debut. He started out with 'Straight', a comic about basketball players. Sports remain his main influence in his next comic, 'Zéro', a story about a boxer.

In 1993 Matsumoto started the 'Tekkonkinkurito' trilogy in Big Spirits magazine, which was even adapted to a theatre play. He continued his comics exploits with several short stories for the Comic Aré magazine, which are collected in the book 'Nihon no Kyodai'. Again for Big Spirits, Taiyo Matsumoto started the series 'Ping Pong' in 1996. 'Number Five' followed in 2001, published by Shogakukan.

Source: Lambiek website bio .

Reviews

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated so deeply how this series represented artists wrestling with their creative practices. Some draw steadily for years, with a similar quality level of work. Others struggle with writers block, family tragedies, self esteem, rough deadlines, with falling out of love with their stories, or their editors, or the time commitment of being a full time author. This series also shows how a patient and support editor can absolutely made an artists career- or how the lack of one can destroy it. This is such a human slice-of-life story, and I liked its open but hopeful ending.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly hopeful and upbeat ending is provided to a series that otherwise reveled in the melancholy of manga creators who are feeling burned out, past their prime, or entirely done with manga.

A thoughtful reflection on art vs. commerce, youth vs. aging, surrendering vs. persevering.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapter 17. Up north: Climbing a roof with Kaeru -- Chapter 18. Pay a visit to Kumotaro Nekoyama Sensei -- Chapter 19. Chosaku's visitation day -- Chapter 20. Pay a visit to Maruzo Miki Sensei's home -- Chapter 21. Kusakari takes an early morning walk -- Chapter 22. May: Make the rounds at bookstores -- Chapter 23. Chosaku struggles with his storyboards -- Final Chapter. Dawn, return in the afternoon

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final Volume of this really poignant Manga as independent Editor encourages...cajoles and buys gifts for the various manga creators contributing to his book.
Lots of insights on creators...what Editors do and the whole process.
Loved this.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final volume of Taiyo Matsumoto's Tokyo These Days ends the series perfectly, as protagonist Shiozawa finally succeeds in publishing his dream manga. His pursuit of creators that he deeply admires has paid off, and their contributions allow Dawn Comics to bring to light new work by forgotten mangaka, right alongside more daring efforts from artists who typically create anodyne commercially-focused work.

Ultimately this is a story of creative souls having the courage and the determination to defy the demands of the marketplace and deliver personal work that would usually have no public outlet. One might argue that this "against the odds" challenge is resolved a little too neatly in Tokyo These Days, but if you believe in the message then it's more than okay to suspend some disbelief and allow this feel-good story to work its magic!

[Frédéric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather optimistic ending - it wasn't a foregone conclusion - but one that nevertheless tends to show that it is in the difficulty of the path that the sparkle lies.

A beautiful series, a declaration of love from a mangaka to his passion and his peers, full of nuance, slowness and little things.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ennui - everyone is feeling lost, like they missed their chance or let their time slip away. Shiozawa DOES (I believe) create an artsy, avant-garde manga magazine that stays intelligent but becomes popular. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised to reread this and realize it is all a dream or perhaps heaven but I want to believe that he succeeds.

Art matters, being yourself matters and dammit trying hard matters. This is a really wonderful little story.

[Dan P · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Book people!" I scream as I run around my apartment holding this volume in the air. "Book people! BOOK PEOPLE!!!"

[Cristina Di Matteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un finale poetico e malinconico per una storia che parla d’arte, memoria e solitudine. Matsumoto chiude il cerchio con delicatezza, regalandoci pagine intense che restano nel cuore. Un tributo al fumetto stesso, per chi ama le storie che sanno osservare il tempo che passa. Imperdibile.



https://www.instagram.com/p/DK687NkMnWb/

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very life-affirming by the end. Cool that Matsumoto can have such a storied career and still pump out a classic well into his 50s.

[Somnium · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy is a fruit that grows on a tree of great suffering.
(Victor Hugo)



U moru mračnog materijala za čitanje ovo je jedan prelepi mali biser, tj. svetionik. Nadam se da ovaj novi Macumoto neće proći ispod radara. Ukoliko želite da dan završite nečim lepim, ljudskim, toplim, ukoliko želite da zatvorite korice i pomislite "ima još ljudi i topline na ovom svetu", pročitajte ovo. Posebna preporuka onima čiji je posao rad sa ljudima, naročito mladima (npr. prosveta), jer je njihov "impact factor" izuzetno velik i jer njihovih par rečenica dnevno i malo pažnje mogu da promene, podstaknu, inspirišu neko mlado ljudsko biće u pronalaženju sebe i razumevanju sveta oko sebe.

Ova tri tankobona prate urednika mangi, Šiozavu, koji zbog lošeg poslovnog poteza daje otkaz. Šiozava je čovek u pedesetim godinama koji još uvek ima veliku ljubav i strast prema mangama i pokušava da okupi staru ekipu mangaka kako bi radili zajedno na njegovoj poslednjoj mangi. Ekipa je ne samo u godinama, već je pre svega izmrcvarena pređašnjim životom u indutriji koja melje njihovo vreme, zdravlje, pa i dušu, ostavljajući ih neretko i u lošem finansijskom stanju, bezvoljne, pregorele, usamljene, besciljne.





Zavirićemo nakratko u živote urednika i mangaka i videti koliko od urednika zavisi šta će i u kom obliku iznedriti mangaka, koliko njih je zadovoljno svojim urednicima, koliko u njih imaju poverenja, koliko su spremni na ustupke, koliko ih je spremno da "proda dušu" industriji i koliko ih je tom odlukom zadovoljno.




Osim tog prvog sloja priče, autor se još bavi književnom(?) besmrtnosti i prolaznošću ljudskih života.



Ovo je jedna sporogoruća, ljudska priča, puna tihih momenata, lišena pompeznih događanja i sasvim je sigurno da će nekome biti monotona i dosadna. No, da se ne lažemo, ko od nas vodi život npr. Keith Moon-a ili ekipe iz Motley Crue!? Stoga, budite strpljivi, jer će vam ovaj Macumotov rad podariti malo topline i ljudskosti, koji su neophodni i koji toliko nedostaju pod ovim našim nebom.

[Adam M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never really fell in love with the art in this series, but the storytelling remained the heart and soul of the entire tale. I have never read a manga (or any comic for that matter) that was looking at this era of real life. What happens when you are reaching the end of a career that defined your life, but still feel something is missing? What if you thought there was more to give or more authenticity to bring to the task? The manga artists, authors and publishers depicted here represent a pretty specific point of view and the life of artists doesn't always model well the life of folks in different lines of work. All that said, this whole story was poignant, compelling and captivating. This is an easy recommendation for certain types of readers and people looking for certain types of stories. I wouldn't recommend this to people only interested in action or romance in their manga, but I think there are plenty of 'non-manga' readers who would truly enjoy this book despite not being familiar with the format, etc.

I really appreciated what a breath of fresh air this was and how well orchestrated all 3 volumes were from start to finish.

[marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆

My favorite volume of the series. It ends on a more optimistic note than you would expect, because this is ultimately a love letter to mangakas. Despite how soul-crushing the industry is, Taiyo Matsumoto thinks making manga is worth it. While I still struggle with the emotional distance of the story, that part resonates with me.

[Irene ➰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Una serie un po’ impegnativa che però sicuramente ti lascia dentro qualcosa.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

il est trop fort vraiment, comment m'en remettre à chaque fois là, bref jvais chialer je reviens

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

[Cail Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has quietly become one of the best things I’ve read this year. I love the characters and the explorations of creativity and hiding out in bookstores. Very satisfying.

[Colin Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddamn, what a beautiful book. I’m very glad Shiozawa and crew got their happy ending. I also adore No. 15 from Chosaku’s baseball manga - big and strong but can never get a hit! Always smiling on the bench though. I also latched onto Chosaku’s relationship with his daughter in this volume - so heartwarming to see him pull through his doldrums and rediscover himself.

[Heather D-G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong and optimistic finish to a really special manga. As a whole, the trilogy was a gentle rumination on aging and the creative process, pinned down by a heartfelt story of one man’s quest to produce something powerful.
Highly recommended.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A three volume manga series that follows various manga creators and editors and explores themes of creativity, burnout and the joy of producing something. I loved the tone of this series and the way each chapter worked as a self contained story and part of the overall narrative.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stellar finish to this melancholic story. I won't spoil anything, but it wraps up succinctly and satisfyingly.

If you're interested in Matsumoto, this is an excellent place to start!

Happy reading.

[Wavieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

feels like matsumoto had an idea there and was juggling it around until he got sick of it - a meditation turned bored diary entry! wraps up just to wrap up...floppy ending. but the LINEWORKKKK FUCK THE ARTWORKKK FUCK 💦💦💦💦

[Don Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series from Taiyo Matsumoto has ended with Volume 3, which is a real shame. I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiographical tale of a manga editor, Shiozawa, who leaves his position only to later pursue his dream to edit the ultimate manga compilation, featuring creators he admires and respects. Along the way we see him dealing with his feelings for some creators he used to edit, as well as his attempts to encourage current creators when they wrestle with the demon of self-doubt. At his small apartment, he converses with a pet parrot. The parrot seems to serve as a stand-in for his internal voice, echoing the internal conversations we all sometimes indulge in when life gets thorny.

There are two main mangaka who are important secondary characters, Chosaku and Aoki. Chosaku goes through tough times and doubts his abilities as he suffers health challenges. Not surprising since he's grossly overweight and smokes constantly. Shiozawa tries throughout the story to push Chosaku to his full potential. Aoki, a younger creator with a hot artistic temperament, is being handled by a new editor, Miss Hayashi. She takes time to find her footing with this creator, consulting with Shiozawa on how to proceed. Eventually she develops more confidence, and pushes Aoki to produce quality work. In many ways, I found Miss Hayashi the most intriguing of the secondary characters. Her role is greatly diminished by Volume 3 (she only appears very briefly), but I hold out the vain hope that she'll have a spinoff series at some point. It would be great to read the thoughts behind her enigmatically impassive expression as she navigates this male-dominated world.

This series definitely felt like it could go on for at least another two or three volumes. Shiozawa is a fascinating character, and you know he has hidden depths that are untapped. The ending felt premature, but I put that down to loving the story so much. Not a bad problem to have at all.

[Book Tea &#x1fad6; with Jai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Tokyo These Days
Author: Taiyo Matsumoto
Genre: slice of life, drama, psychological, seinen
Volume 3 of 3
Pages: 216

Tokyo These Days, Vol. 3 gracefully concludes Taiyo Matsumoto's thought-provoking trilogy. The focus remains on Shiozawa, a former manga editor who left behind the ruthless industry machine in pursuit of a more meaningful artistic expression. As his independent anthology project nears fruition, it becomes clear that his success is not driven by gimmicks or commercial tactics, but rather by trust, admiration, and a shared passion for the craft. We witness Shiozawa's patient journey as he reconnects with old acquaintances and inspires hesitant creators, and this gentle sense of purpose is far more compelling than any dramatic urgency.
What sets this volume apart is its raw emotional authenticity. Our characters still grapple with burnout, aging, and doubts about their own talent, but there is a noticeable shift towards warmth and quiet hope. As Shiozawa's efforts begin to yield results and artists, both forgotten and struggling, agree to join his project, we are reminded of the delicate and human nature of creative work. Matsumoto beautifully illustrates that grand speeches do not fuel art, but rather unwavering belief and compassion for one another.
This final installment does not culminate in a grand triumph; instead, it settles into a serene affirmation that the work itself is what truly matters. The coming together of Shiozawa's project feels less like a victory over the industry and more like a personal reconciliation with a life dedicated to manga. Through understated artwork, lingering cityscapes, and a tranquil pace, Matsumoto captures the bittersweet yet hopeful tone that lingers long after reading. Volume 3 encapsulates the core message of the series: art endures not because it is easy, but because people continue to choose to create it.



https://www.tumblr.com/thebookteawithjai

[Aurélie · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai pris tellement de plaisir à lire cette trilogie sur le thème de la création.

Les dessins sont magnifiques et j'ai aimé me balader dans les rues de Tokyo aux petites heures du jour et me poser aux tables des cafés et des restaurants avec les personnages.

Je ne lis pas vraiment de mangas, mais ce n'est pas nécessaire pour apprécier cette série, qui nous emmène dans le monde de l'édition de mangas. On va suivre un personnage assez discret et mystérieux, qui confie ses états d'âmes à son oiseau dans le petit appartement dans lequel il vit.
Avec lui, nous irons à la rencontre de nombreux.ses dessinateur.ices de mangas, toustes avec leur histoire propre et leurs défis tant personnels que créatifs.

Cette série n'a pas pour but de nous imposer un didactisme ni de s'inscrire dans un hyper-réalisme. Les thèmes abordés sont universels (quête de sens, ambition professionnelle) et vont bien au-delà des seuls confins du monde éditorial et plus spécifiquement l'édition de mangas.

Taiyô Matsumoto sait nous charmer, tant par la finesse de son style visuel que par l'onirisme et la douceur contemplative qui se dégage des pages de cette série.

Ici, il n'est pas question d'intrigue spectaculaire ni de retournements de situation abracadabrantesques, mais plutôt d'introspection et de mélancolie face à la beauté fragile des choses et des êtres.

La ville de Tokyo est un personnage à part entière du récit et pas seulement une toile de fond. On traverse ses ruelles humides on s'arrête pour observer les gouttes de pluie qui coule le long des branches des arbres, on s'imprègne de la musicalité urbaine de la ville, bref, on sent que chaque page est habitée tant par les personnages que par leur environnement.

[The Book Dragon]

Shiozawa continues visiting great manga artist who've faded into obscurity due to the cutthroat nature of the Japanese manga industry. People who've had true masterpieces but were pushed out for more popular series, or who've been on hiatus for one reason or another. But even if he gets these artists on board, he's gotta market his upstart magazine to bookstores and hope they agree to carry it without a guarantee of success. And the artists need to be able to make content for the magazine, making writer's block their worst enemy.

My reading of this series was severely disjointed because my local library refused to buy volumes 2 & 3 and made me wait six months after the publication date to even attempt an interlibrary loan... so my opinions of this or previous volumes may be just as disjointed. BUT, this is the volume where it all came together and you want these creators to succeed. Overall, not a bad little story, but definitely one you'd want to read in succession.

If you want more information about the manga industry, I'd recommend Bakuman.. If you want more information about the bookstore industry, I'd recommend Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san.

This series has 3 volumes.

[Abdullaah Razwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tokyo these days proceeds almost like a heist movie. Shiozawa is a manga editor who has decided to quickly come out of retirement to make his ideal manga magazine. The series follows him finding contributors to his new magazine and trying to secure distribution for it.

The series through characters who play different roles in the manga industry (the seasoned pro who is questioning his work, a young editor who is struggling to work with a starlet, the artist who was too out there to make it in the manga industry) provides a behind-the-curtain look at the manga industry. Another aspect, where the series really shines, is in Matsumoto's typically well realised characters. Of particular note, is Chosaku, who has more and more page time devoted to his story as the series goes on and it is a delight to read about his relationship with his daughter

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third (and last, of three?) volume of Tokyo These Days, Volume 3 (2023) Taiyo Matsumoto, the 2025 Eisner winner for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia, and to my mind, much deserved. Beautiful, subtle art, great chracterizations, a feel-good story for our times, focused on an aging manga editor who quits and soon turns his retirement into making his dream manga series, with all his old friends and some yunger ones. A happy ending?!

Very sweet. Loved it. If you know little about manga, try it, it won't take up much of your time, and it will reward you richly, if somewhat sentimentally and with a touch of humor and melancholy and a talking bird. The focus is on the joys and travails of the manga industry, and the ever-increasing focus on profits instead of creative, chance-taking creations.

[zancoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tokyo Hikōro è un manga sul tempo che passa e sullo smarrimento di artisti che hanno perso il senso del creare. Ogni capitolo segue una giornata, trasformando Tokyo in uno spazio profondamente introspettivo. La città non fa da semplice sfondo, ma riflette solitudine, stanchezza e desideri irrisolti. Shiozawa, un' editor di manga, incontra mangaka falliti, stanchi o bloccati da un lavoro diventato meccanico. Il disegno si è trasformato in routine e l’arte ha perso profondità emotiva. Il progetto di una nuova rivista nasce come tentativo romantico di offrire una sorta di seconda possibilità agli artisti e all'arte stessa. Il contrasto tra bianco e nero accentua i vuoti interiori. La natura - pioggia, neve, notte - partecipano attivamente alla narrazione. Anche gli oggetti, come l’ombrello, assumono valore simbolico, prima di smarrimento, perdita e successivamente come capacità e voglia di ripresa. Un manga delicato e malinconico che parla di fallimento, arte, solitudine e possibilità di rinascita, usando la città, la natura e i dettagli quotidiani per raccontare.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am undecided as to whether I will read more manga in the future. This one was a lot better for me than the teen type with all the over the top emoting and the androgynous characters that made it hard to follow. I still had to work for this, but it was better.

There is a good focus on the artists and the cost, physical and mental, of making their art. And a look at the industry and the focus profit over creativity and also the rising digital process and format.

There was also this little fantastical element with Shiozawa and the birds.

Overall, interesting and melancholy with a happy ending.

Content: a little profanity; so much smoking