Release will feature manga creator's entire body of work since 1971 debut



Anime News Network's coverage of Anime Expo 2019 is sponsored by Yen Press. Anime News Network's coverage of Anime Expo 2019 is sponsored by Yen Press.

Kodansha revealed at Katsuhiro Otomo's Anime Expo panel on Thursday that the publisher is launching "The Complete Works Project" with Otomo. The project will release Otomo's entire body of published work since his professional debut in 1971. Otomo commented that he is looking forward to the project, even if he might be embarrassed by his early works.

Shohei Yoshida — Kodansha's editorial director, fourth division, and deputy executive director, rights/media business division — commented that some of Otomo's works were edited when compiled into book volumes before, so this new project presents an opportunity to restore those works to how they appeared in their original serialized form.

Otomo began his career as a manga creator on such works as Domu, Kibun wa mō Sensō, and his most famous title internationally, Akira. He then branched into animation by directing part of the Robot Carnival omnibus and a feature film adaptation of his own Akira story. He directed other anime projects such as the Memories omnibus, the Gundam: Mission to the Rise event short, and the Steamboy feature. He also collaborated on Harmagedon, Roujin Z, Spriggan, Metropolis, Freedom Project and Hipira: The Little Vampire.

Otomo confirmed in 2018 that he is working on a new manga. He revealed in 2012 that he was preparing his first long series since Akira .

Source: Katsuhiro Otomo Anime Expo panel