Tokyo statue inspires manga on Rizal

MANILA, Philippines — A Japanese publishing and distribution company will release an online manga series about Philippine national hero Jose Rizal in time for his birth anniversary on Tuesday.

The manga, to be released in English and Japanese, will focus on the life and legacy of Rizal, particularly the role his works played in effecting social change during Spanish rule in the Philippines.

Takuro Ando, a representative from Japan-based Torico Company, said the idea of a manga about Rizal began when he saw the hero’s statue in Hibiya Park in Tokyo.

“I began to wonder why a bronze statue of a Filipino was in Japan,” he said.

Following inquiry with Filipinos, he learned about Rizal and his impact not just in the Philippines but in other parts of the world.

“Japan, too, was affected by the genius of Rizal, who had changed his country not through violence, but through his knowledge and hard work,” said Ando.

“More than anything, I believe that he would be a good subject to let Filipinos and people all over the world see the appeal of manga and thus had the story told in manga form,” he added.

Torico tapped artist Ryo Konno and writer Takahiro Matsui for the illustration and story, respectively.

It also partnered with Davao-based Creative Connections and Commons (CCC) for the translation of the manga.

According to CCC, there are plans to release the manga in Filipino. No announcement yet has been made on whether a printed version will be released.

New volumes of the series will be released for free at www.manga.club (English and Japanese) and www.sukima.me (Japanese) every Tuesday from June 19 to Aug. 28.

The series is divided into 10 volumes spread over three chapters: Unreasonable Life of Filipinos Under Spanish Rule, The Social Reform Born from the Novel and Rizal’s Legacy.