 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Japanese. (March 2025)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Fujiko Fujio" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(April 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Fujiko Fujio | |
|---|---|
 Abiko (top) and Fujimoto (bottom) | |
| Native name | 藤子 不二雄 |
| Born | Hiroshi Fujimoto (藤本 弘) Motoo Abiko (安孫子 素雄) Fujimoto:(1933-12-01)December 1, 1933 inTakaoka, Toyama,Empire of Japan Abiko:(1934-03-10)March 10, 1934 inHimi,Toyama, Empire of Japan |
| Died | Fujimoto: September 23, 1996(1996-09-23) (aged 62) inShinjuku, Tokyo, Japan Abiko: April 6, 2022(2022-04-06) (aged 88) inKawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Pen name | Fujiko Fujio (common, 1953–1988) Fujiko F. Fujio (Fujimoto, 1989–) Fujiko Fujio A (Abiko, 1988–) |
| Occupation | Manga artists |
| Years active | 1951–1987 (Fujiko Fujio) 1988–2022 (Fujiko Fujio A) 1989–1996 (Fujiko F. Fujio) |
| Notable works | |
| Notable awards |
|
| Part of a series on |
| Anime andmanga |
|---|
 |
 Anime and manga portal |
Fujiko Fujio (藤子 不二雄) was amanga writing duo formed by Japanesemanga artistsHiroshi Fujimoto (藤本 弘,Fujimoto Hiroshi; December 1, 1933 – September 23, 1996) andMotoo Abiko (安孫子 素雄,Abiko Motoo; March 10, 1934 – April 6, 2022). They debuted in 1951 as a duo under their real names. The Fujiko Fujio name was used for their respective works from 1953 until 1987, when Fujimoto became too ill to work consistently.
The pair was best known for their popularchildren's manga series, includingObake no Q-Tarō,Ninja Hattori-kun,Kaibutsu-kun,Perman,Kiteretsu Daihyakka andDoraemon. Some of their influences includeOsamu Tezuka as well as internationalcartoons and comic books. Both artists base their writing style on a mix ofmorals with a subversive and wry sense of humor; their styles would evolve to the point of diversion, where Fujimoto focused on speculativescience fiction in addition to children's works, while Abiko leaned towards the surreal andblack comedy.[1]
Their work received critical acclaim and, on Fujimoto's part, universal recognition, withDoraemon being officially recognized as acultural icon of modern Japan.[2]
For many years[specify] after their debut, they collaborated and wrote individually under one pen name. However, after 1988, they published under separate names.
| AD | Fujimoto | collaboration | Abiko |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1951– | Hiroshi Fujimoto | — | Motoo Abiko |
| November 1952– | Ashizuka Fujio | ||
| July 1953–February 1988 | Fujiko Fujio | ||
| February 1988– | Fujiko Fujio F | — | Fujiko Fujio A |
| January 1989– | Fujiko F. Fujio | ||
From July 1953 to around January 1988, the two published both collaborations and individual works under one pen name, Fujiko Fujio (藤子 不二雄).
Fujimoto used the pen name Fujiko F. Fujio, officially writtenFujiko・F・Fujio (藤子・F・不二雄), from 1989 until his death.
Abiko used the pen name Fujiko Fujio A, stylized asFujiko Fujio Ⓐ (藤子不二雄),[3] from 1988 until his death. His pen name is also commonly romanized as "Fujiko A. Fujio"[4] in Western publications.
Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko were both fromToyama Prefecture. Fujimoto was born on December 1, 1933, and Abiko on March 10, 1934. Abiko transferred to Fujimoto's elementary school inTakaoka City and happened to see Fujimoto drawing in a notebook. The two became lifelong friends, and during the early years of their friendship kept their illustrations hidden from friends and classmates out of embarrassment.
In junior high school they were greatly influenced byOsamu Tezuka and his manga seriesShin Takarajima. Fujimoto built a homemadeepiscope and together they wrote a piece for it calledTenküma, which was their first collaborative work. They started submitting work to periodicals such asManga Shōnen and opened a joint savings account throughJapan Post to which they both contributed funds and which they used to purchase art supplies. They divided all income and expenses equally between each other, a practice they continued throughout the life of their partnership.
In high school, they made their publishing debut,Tenshi no Tama-chan being adopted for serialization byMainichi Shogakusei Shimbun in 1951. That same year they paid a visit to Tezuka's residence inTakarazuka, Hyōgo and showed him illustrations for their work titledBen Hur. Tezuka complimented the two's abilities, some years later commenting that he knew then they were going to be major figures in the manga industry. Abiko and Fujimoto treasured the meeting with the respected Tezuka, and kept theBen Hur illustrations for their entire lives. It was at this time they decided to make their partnership permanent. The two initially adopted the name Tezuka Fujio out of respect, but later changed it to Ashizuka Fujio as they perceived the use of the name "Tezuka" as too close to that of their idol.
Because both Fujimoto and Abiko were eldest sons respectively, they decided to take company jobs after graduating from high school in 1952. Fujimoto found employment with a confectionery company, and Abiko began working for the Toyama Newspaper Company. However, Fujimoto quit within a matter of days. Fujimoto then dedicated his time to submitting work to periodicals, with Abiko assisting him on the weekends. Their first serial as Ashizuka Fujio was terminated in a few episodes, followed by success with the post-apocalyptic science fiction seriesUtopia: The Last World War (UTOPIA—最後の世界大戦,UTOPIA: Saigo no Sekai Taisen).
At Fujimoto's urging, they elected to move to Tokyo in 1954 as professional manga artists, Abiko only reluctantly as he had steady employment at the Toyama Newspaper Company. Their first place of residence was a two-tatami mat room at the second floor of a watch shop. They eventually moved to theTokiwa-sō apartment complex when Tezuka offered them a room that he was moving out of.[5][6] Together with Hiroo Terada and several other manga artists of the period, they formed a collaborative group called "New Manga Party" (新漫画党,Shin Manga-To). At the apartment complex where the group was based, they enjoyed a period of productivity that had Fujimoto and Abiko carry up to six serials a month for publication. Additionally, Abiko contributed to Tezuka's works as an artist assistant, such as drawing a blizzard on the last page ofJungle Emperor.[5]
The workload proved excessive, and in 1955 on return to Toyama forJapanese New Year the pair missed all the deadlines for their serials. The loss of credibility with publishers hurt Fujimoto and Abiko for a year. During the Tokiwa-sō era, they purchased a television set inAkihabara and made independent films with an 8mm camera. By 1959 they leftTokiwa-sō and moved toKawasaki inKanagawa Prefecture. In the 1960s, Fujimoto and Abiko foundedFujiko Studio Co., Ltd., a joint manga production company. Fujimoto got married on October 31, 1962, at the age of 28.
In 1963, Fujimoto and Abiko established Studio Zero with Shin'ichi Suzuki,Shotaro Ishimori,Jirō Tsunoda and Kiyoichi Tsunoda. LaterFujio Akatsuka joined, and at its peak the studio employed about 80 people. The studio produced several animated series and stood in forMushi Production for an episode ofAstro Boy.[7] These were some of the duo's most productive years, resulting in series such asObake no Q-Tarō which eventually were made intoanime series on television. Abiko got married in 1966, at the age of 32. Fujimoto concentrated on titles for children, with a particular interest in science fiction.
In 1968, Abiko started making manga for a more mature audience, with titles such asKuroi Salesman. In the 1970s, Abiko focused on both adult and boys' manga. The style was full ofblack humor. Fujimoto focused on both adult and childhood manga. His style was notable for itssense of wonder.
Doraemon was created in 1969. Since around 1974, its popularity has skyrocketed among Japanese children.CoroCoro Comic released its first issue in 1977 to showcase the works of Fujiko Fujio. With syndication of Doraemon onTV Asahi in 1979, a surge of popularity saw up to a dozen collaborative and solo works by Fujimoto and Abiko picked up for publication and syndication throughout the 1980s.Doraemon is the only work by the duo to ever get an official release in English-speaking countries, most notably the United States, though English dubs of work such asPerman andNinja Hattori-kun have aired in Asia to less fanfare.Bones have produced an adaptation of Fujimoto's seriesTime Patrol Bon forNetflix, an unusual move due to the original series' obscurity.
In 1987, citing creative differences,[citation needed] Fujimoto and Abiko ended their long partnership to concentrate on solo projects. From now on, Abiko would work atFujiko StudioK.K. and Fujimoto inFujiko F. Fujio Pro K.K. Abiko adopted the pen nameFujiko Fujio A,[8] while Fujimoto adopted the pen nameFujiko F. Fujio.[9]
According to Abiko,[citation needed] the cause for the dissolution of the partnership was due to Fujimoto discovering he hadstomach cancer in 1986, and both Fujimoto and Abiko had a desire to settle copyright and financial issues before the other died.
Fujimoto died of liver failure at a hospital inShinjuku on September 23, 1996.[10]
A documentary was aired on TV Asahi on February 19, 2006, chronicling the life and times of Fujiko F. Fujio.[citation needed]
TheFujiko F. Fujio Museum opened inKawasaki, Kanagawa on September 3, 2011, which features a reproduction of Fujio's studio and a display of their artwork.[11]
Abiko died ofnatural causes at his home in Kawasaki on April 6, 2022.[12]
| English title[note 1] | Japanese title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Angel Tama-chan[note 2][note 3] | Tenshi no Tama-chan (天使の玉ちゃん) | 1951–1952 |
| Drifting for 40,000 Years[note 2][note 4] | 4 Man-nen hyōryū (四万年漂流) | 1953 |
| UTOPIA: The Final World War[note 4] | UTOPIA: Saigo no Sekai Taisen (UTOPIA 最後の世界大戦) | 1953 |
| Prince of the Sea[note 2] | Umi no Ōji (海の王子) | 1959–1965 |
| Invisible Racing Car[note 2] | Kieru Kaisokusha (きえる快速車) | 1963 |
| Little Ghost Q-Taro | Obake no Q-Tarō (オバケのQ太郎) | 1964–1966 |
| Wakatono | (わかとの) | 1964–1965 |
| Great Dog Tintin[note 2] | Meiken Tantan (名犬タンタン) | 1965–1968 |
| Beret Shin-chan[note 2] | Berē no Shin-chan (ベレーのしんちゃん) | 1965–1966 |
| Jirokichi | (ジロキチ) | 1965–1966 |
| Gloves Te-chan (1966)[note 2] | Tebukuro Tetchan (てぶくろてっちゃん) | 1966 |
| Perman (1966)[note 5] | Pāman (パーマン) | 1966–1968 |
| Chintara Kami-chan | (チンタラ神ちゃん) | 1967 |
| NewLittle Ghost Q-Taro | ShinObake no Q-Tarō[note 6] (新オバケのQ太郎) | 1971–1973, 1976 |
| Senbe | Senbē (仙べえ) | 1971–1972 |
| English title[note 1] | Japanese title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Gloves Te-chan (1960)[note 2] | Tebukuro Tetchan (てぶくろてっちゃん) | 1960–1963 |
| Go! Roboket [jp][note 2] | Susume Roboket (すすめロボケット) | 1961–1965 |
| 21 Emon: The 21st Century Kid | 21 Emon (21エモン) | 1967–1969, 1981 |
| Super-san (one-shot) | (スーパーさん) | 1968 |
| Plum Star Denka[note 7] | Umeboshi Denka (ウメ星デンカ) | 1968–1970 |
| Mojacko | Mojakō (モジャ公) | 1969–1970 |
| Doraemon | (ドラえもん) | 1969–1988 |
| Pokonyan (Rocky Rackat![note 8]) | (ポコニャン) | 1970–1978 |
| Bonom: Sokonuke-san[note 9] (one-shot) | (ボノム =底ぬけさん=) | 1970 |
| Dojita Dojiro's Luck (one-shot) | Dojita Dojirō no Kōun (ドジ田ドジ郎の幸運) | 1970 |
| Adventures of Dobinson | Dobinson Hyōryūki (ドビンソン漂流記) | 1971–1972 |
| Old Bachelor (one-shot) | Jijinuki (じじぬき) | 1970 |
| Self Meeting (one-shot) | Jibun Kaigi (自分会議) | 1972 |
| Jungle Kurobe | Jungle Kurobē (ジャングル黒べえ) | 1973 |
| Pajamaman [jp] | (パジャママン) | 1973–1974 |
| Mokkoro-kun | (モッコロくん) | 1973–1975 |
| Bakeru-kun | (バケルくん) | 1974–1976, 1984 |
| Nostaljii (one-shot) | Nosutarujī (ノスタル爺) | 1974 |
| Kiteretsu | Kiteretsu Daihyakka (キテレツ大百科) | 1974–1977 |
| Zo-kun and Risu-chan | Zō-kun to Risu-chan (ぞうくんとりすちゃん) | 1974–1975 |
| Mikio and MIKIO | Mikio to MIKIO (みきおとミキオ) | 1974–1975 |
| Red-Haired Anko (one-shot) | Akage no Anko (赤毛のアン子)[note 10] | 1974 |
| Fourth Dimension Hat P-Poko[note 2] | 4 Jigen Bō P-Poko (4じげんぼうPポコ) | 1975–1976 |
| 33,000 Square Meters (one-shot) | 3 Man 3 Zen Hēbē (3万3千平米) | 1975 |
| Lone War of the Worlds (one-shot) | Hitoribotchi no Uchū Sensō (ひとりぼっちの宇宙戦争) | 1975 |
| Ultra-Super-Deluxeman (one-shot) | (ウルトラ・スーパー・デラックスマン) | 1975 |
| Bellavo | Berabō (ベラボー) | 1968–1969 |
| U-Bow | U-Bō (Uボー) | 1976–1978 |
| Minister Bowbow | Baubau Daijin (バウバウ大臣) | 1976 |
| Captain Bon | (きゃぷてんボン) | 1976 |
| Mami the Psychic[16] | Esper Mami (エスパー魔美) | 1976–1983 |
| Alien Report: Sample A and B (one-shot) | Uchūjin Report: Sample A to B (宇宙人レポート サンプルAとB) | 1977 |
| Middle-aged Superman Mr. Saenai | Chūnen Superman Saenai-shi (中年スーパーマン左江内氏) | 1977–1978 |
| That Idiot Aims for the Wilderness (one-shot) | Ano Baka wa Kōya wo Mezasu (あのバカは荒野をめざす) | 1977 |
| Time Patrol Bon | T. P. Bon (T・Pぼん) | 1978–1985 |
| His Time Machine (one-shot) | Aitsu no Time Machine (あいつのタイムマシン) | 1979 |
| Mira-cle-1 | Mira-kuru-1 (ミラ・クル・1) | 1979 |
| One Day... (one-shot) | Aru Hi... (ある日……) | 1982 |
| Worldscope (one-shot) | Shikaikyō (四海鏡) | 1982 |
| Perman (1983)[note 11] | Pāman (パーマン) | 1983–1986 |
| Chu-Poko | Chū-Poko (宙ポコ) | 1983 |
| Toppi the Space Puppy | Chūken Toppi (宙犬トッピ) | 1983–1984 |
| Chimpui | (チンプイ) | 1985–1988 |
| English title[note 1] | Japanese title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| My name is X-kun[note 2] | Wagana wa X-kun (わが名はXくん) | 1957–1958, 1959–1962 |
| Silver Cross | (シルバー・クロス) | 1960–1963 |
| Galaxy Captain[note 2] | Ginga Senchō (銀河船長) | 1961–1962 |
| Big 1 | (ビッグ・1) | 1962 |
| Prince Ciscon | Shisukon Ōji (シスコン王子) | 1963–1964 |
| Futa-kun | Fūta-kun (フータくん) | 1964–1967 |
| Ninja Hattori | Ninja Hattori-kun (忍者ハットリくん) | 1964–1968, 1981–1988 |
| Three Z Men | (スリーZメン) | 1964–1965 |
| Tako-kun in My House[note 2] | Bokunchi no Tako-kun (ぼくんちのタコくん) | 1965–1967 |
| The Monster Kid | Kaibutsu-kun (怪物くん) | 1965–1969, 1972, 1980–1982 |
| Masked X-kun[note 2] | Mask no X-kun (マスクのXくん) | 1965–1966 |
| Manganica | (マンガニカ) | 1967–1971 |
| Monster Boy Wakatono[note 12] | Kaijin Wakatono (怪人わかとの) | 1967–1968 |
| The Black Salesman (one-shot) | KUROI SEeRUSUMAN (黒イせぇるすまん) | 1968 |
| Biriken | (ビリ犬) | 1969 |
| The Black Salesman (serialization) | KUROi SEeRUSUMAN (黒ィせぇるすまん) | 1969–1971 |
| Kurobe | Kurobē (黒ベエ) | 1969–1970 |
| Masked Taro[note 2] | Kamen Tarō (仮面太郎) | 1969–1970 |
| Madmen Team[note 2] | Kyōjin Gun (狂人軍)[note 13] | 1969–1970 |
| Uncle HiTLer | HitTORAa Oji San (ひっとらぁ伯父サン) | 1969, 1971 |
| Mumako | (夢魔子) | 1970 |
| Gekiga Mao Zedong | Gekiga Mō Takutō Den (劇画毛沢東伝) | 1970–1971 |
| Phantom Hen-dayou[note 2] | Maboroshi Hendayū (マボロシ変太夫) | 1971–1972 |
| Mr. Nameless[note 2] | Mumei-kun (無名くん) | 1971–1976 |
| Kappa Kappo | Kappa no Kappo (かっぱのカッポ) | 1972–1974 |
| Mataro is Coming!! | Matarō ga Kuru!! (魔太郎がくる!!) | 1972–1975 |
| Mr. Tour Conductor[note 2] | Tenjō-san (添乗さん) | 1972–1974 |
| Nonsense Man[note 12] | Zare Otoko (戯れ男)[note 14] | 1973 |
| Love Thief | Ai Nusubito (愛ぬすびと) | 1973 |
| Katsuagemaru Extortion Company | Katsuagemaru Yusuri Shōkai (喝揚丸ユスリ商会) | 1973 |
| Sasurai-kun | Sasurai-kun (さすらいくん) | 1973–1981 |
| Saru the ProGolfer[16] | ProGolfer Saru (プロゴルファー猿) | 1974–1980, 1982–1988 |
| Love Traveler | Ai Tazunebito (愛たずねびと) | 1974 |
| Old man Bo-Taro[note 2] | Oyaji Bōtarō (オヤジ坊太郎) | 1975–1976 |
| Miss Dracula | (ミス・ドラキュラ) | 1975–1980 |
| I am Assistant Chief | Ore Kakarichō Hosa (オレ係長補佐) | 1975–1976 |
| Black Company Henkiro | Black Shōkai Henkirō (ブラック商会変奇郎) | 1976–1977 |
| Manga Michi | (まんが道) | 1977–1982, 1986–1988 |
| Parman's Days | Parman no Hibi (パーマンの日々) | 1978–1980 |
| Shonen Jidai[17] (Childhood Days) | Shōnen Jidai (少年時代) | 1978–1979 |
| Futa-kun NOW! | (フータくん NOW!) | 1982–1983 |
| Parman's Reserved Seat | Parman no Shiteiseki (パーマンの指定席) | 1982–1987 |
| Dream Tunnel | Yume Tonneru (夢トンネル) | 1983–1984 |
| Ninja Hattori + Perman | Ninja Hattori-kun + Pāman (忍者ハットリくん+パーマン) | 1983–1985[note 15] |
| Ultra B | (ウルトラB) | 1984–1988 |
| Ginger X | Gintōgo Ekkusu (ぎんとご X) | 1988―1994 |
| English title[note 1] | Japanese title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Doraemon | (ドラえもん) | 1988–1997 |
| Chimpui | (チンプイ) | 1988–1991 |
| Ginger X | (ぎんとご X) | 1988 |
| Future Memories | Mirai no Omoide (未来の想い出) | 1991 |
| Alien Mr. Andro (one-shot) | Ijin Andoro-shi (異人アンドロ氏) | 1995 |
| English title[note 1] | Japanese title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja Hattori | Ninja Hattori-kun (忍者ハットリくん) | 1988 |
| Saru the ProGolfer[16] | ProGolfer Saru (プロゴルファー猿) | 1988, 1989 |
| Manga Michi | (まんが道) | 1988 |
| Ultra B | (ウルトラB) | 1988–1989 |
| Biriken | (ビリ犬) | 1988–1989 |
| Takamori Runs | Takamori ga Hashiru (タカモリが走る) | 1988–1991 |
| Biriken All Trading Company[note 2] | Biriken Nandemo Shōkai (ビリ犬なんでも商会) | 1988–1989 |
| Parasol Henbe | Parasol Hembē (パラソルヘンべえ) | 1989–1991 |
| The Laughing Salesman | WARAu SEeRUSUMAN (笑ゥせぇるすまん) | 1989–1995 |
| Love... When I knew it... :Youth of Maga Michio[note 2] | Ai... Shirisomeshi Koro ni... :Maga Michio no Seishun (愛…しりそめし頃に… — 満賀道雄の青春) | 1989, 1990, 1995–2013 |
| Sudden Death | (サドンデス) | 1991–1992 |
| Prince Demokin | (プリンスデモキン) | 1991–1999 |
| YOUM[note 16] | YOUM (憂夢,Yūmu) | 1991–1995 |
| PARMAN's days | PARMAN no Hibi (PARMANの日々) | 1991–1992 |
| Drifting Around The World[note 17] | World Hyōryūki (ワールド漂流記) | 1993–1995 |
| Kirito Come!! | Kirito ga Kita!! (切人がきた!!) | 1994–1996 |
| Parman's Days of Dream and Roses | Parman no Yume to Bara no Hibi (パーマンの夢とバラの日々) | 1995–1996 |
| The Salesman Returns | KAEtTEKITA SEeRUSUMAN (帰ッテキタせぇるすまん) | 1996, 1998–2000 |
| Moguro Fukujiro's Work | Moguro Fukujirō no Shigoto (喪黒福次郎の仕事) | 1997–1998 |
| Yojimbo | Yōjinbō (用心棒) | 1998 |
| Hoa!! Koike-san | (ホアー!! 小池さん) | 1998–2001 |
| SARU | (サル) | 1998–2005 |
| The Dancing Salesman | ODORU SEeRUSUMAN (踊ルせぇるすまん) | 2001, 2003–2006 |
| PARman's Passionate Days | PARman no Jōnetsuteki na Hibi (PARマンの情熱的な日々) | 2007–2015 |
| Life Proverb Funny "MAN" Encyclopedia[note 2] | Jinsei Kotowaza Omoshiro "Man" Jiten (人生ことわざ面白"漫"辞典) | 2007–2022 |
| The Monster Kid (one-shot) | Kaibutsu-kun (怪物くん) | 2011 |
Citations
Bibliography
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
