Go Nagai’s studio, Dynamic Production, released a statement confirming that the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum’s original paintings and figurines have survived the fire caused by the earthquake on New Year’s Day in Ishikawa Prefecture.
These items are currently being relocated and stored by Wajima City. The studio attributes the survival of these artifacts to the fireproofing measures implemented during the construction and renovation of the museum.
While the details are still under investigation, the studio requested that interviews with the city’s residents be refrained from. The Go Nagai Wonderland Museum, located in Wajima City, was destroyed after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture on January 1. Go Nagai and Dynamic Production issued statements on January 10.
Nagai expressed gratitude for the messages of concern and stated his sadness at seeing images of his hometown post-earthquake. Regarding the museum, Nagai had initially thought many exhibits were likely damaged.
However, he reflected that, as an active manga artist, he could redraw what was lost. Nagai emphasized his desire to assist those affected in Wajima City and other areas in returning to normalcy. He offered a personal message of encouragement, expressing that together, they can overcome the challenges.
Dynamic Production confirmed the museum’s destruction and stated that definitive information on the damages is yet to be gathered. The company reiterated that the safety and well-being of the residents remain the top priority. Further updates on the situation will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.
Dynamic Production provided additional clarification, stating that Go Nagai’s original paintings were on loan to Wajima City since June 2023 for permanent display at the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum.
While the extent of damages to 3D objects and video works remains unknown, Dynamic Production asserted ownership and management of Nagai’s manuscripts, original drawings, and other works. Notably, Wajima City does not own any of Nagai’s works.
Wajima, Nagai’s birthplace, announced plans for a museum in 2005, and it officially opened on the city’s historic Asaichi Street in 2009. The museum showcases Nagai’s original art from iconic manga such as Mazinger Z, Cutey Honey, Devilman, and Getter Robo, along with a 1/9-scale statue of Mazinger Z’s titular robot.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, struck the western coast of Japan, particularly the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, on New Year’s Day at 4:10 PM (2:00 AM EST). The tremors were felt as far away as Tokyo and Osaka on the opposite coast.
As of January 20, NHK reported at least 232 confirmed deaths in Ishikawa Prefecture, with 22 individuals still unaccounted for. Search efforts continue in Wajima, where the fire ignited by the quake has consumed an estimated area of 50,000 square meters and destroyed over 200 buildings.