On Monday, Takeshobo’s Kindai Mahjong magazine will Reveal the prequel to Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s Akagi manga, titled Akagi: Nyūmon no Tōhai Zero, created by Tomoki Miyoshi and Yoshiaki Seto with Fukumoto credited for collaboration. This prequel will go into Akagi’s life at the age of 13.
Fukumoto originally launched the Akagi manga series in Kindai Mahjong back in 1992, enchanting readers for 27 years with its thrilling narrative.
The Akagi manga kicks off amidst a tempestuous night as Nangō finds himself locked in a high-stakes game of Mahjong with local yakuza. Facing dire consequences for losing, Nangō’s fate seems sealed until a young, mysterious teenager named Shigeru Akagi appears, drenched in rain. Observing the dire situation, Akagi steps in to replace Nangō, setting the stage for a legendary encounter.
Following the success of the main manga, Fukumoto introduced a sequel manga titled Yami Ma no Mamiya (Yami-Mahjong Fighter Mamiya) in 2019, concluding its first part in May 2023.
The manga’s popularity spawned a 2005 television anime adaptation by Studio Madhouse, with Crunchyroll streaming the series in 2013. Additionally, a 10-episode live-action television series aired in the summer of 2015, with Crunchyroll also providing streaming services.
Subsequently, a second season titled Akagi “Ryūzaki, Yagi-hen” “Ichikawa-hen” (Akagi “Ryūzaki, Yagi Arc” “Ichikawa Arc”) premiered in October 2017, followed by a three-episode live-action mini-series in May 2018.
Fukumoto’s mastery of the gambling genre extends beyond Akagi, with his manga Kaiji also receiving acclaim and inspiring two television anime adaptations and two live-action films.
