From the model office worker to the musician, passing through the mangaka, the calligrapher or the sake producer, mangas are full of portraits of workers, sometimes classic, sometimes exotic. Our selection makes you discover the world of work in Japan, from every angle.
Essential figures of hyper-capitalist Japanese society, the salary men and office ladies working day and night have traveled the world. Here, even schoolchildren have the reputation of “working more” by going to evening classes en masse. And yet, the world of work in Japan is full of lesser-known specificities. The first of May, labor day, is the perfect opportunity to explore them.
Admittedly, in Japan, May Day was only declared a public holiday in 2019 on the occasion of the coronation of the new emperor, while in France, International Labor Day has been a non-working day since 1919. And, to pass from lily of the valley to manga, just turn the page.
Professions that can only be found in Japan
Calligraph
After losing his nerves in the face of criticism from a museum curator, Seishû Handa, a young rising star of Japanese calligraphy, is sent into exile by his father on one of the Goto Islands. An upheaval for the young man who has never left the urban comfort and the benevolence of his mother. He finds himself on his own in an unknown world full of surprises. In particular, he will meet Naru, a mischievous young girl with whom he will establish an almost paternal relationship while rediscovering the primary motivation to create calligraphy.
barakamon by Satsuki Yoshino, published by Ki-oon editions, 13 vol., €7.65
cat bar owner
In Japan, the majority of apartment complexes prohibit pets. This is probably one of the reasons for the rise of “animal cafes“. Since then, bars with cats, dogs, rabbits and cute animals have exploded and we even find some outside Japan. It is a cafe with dogs and cats that Kamimura Riddle decided to stage in his manga yakuza cat. But there is a funniest twist that the name announces without beating around the bush. Jin, the owner of this cafe, is a former yakuza. The story begins when he takes in Sabu, an abandoned kitten with an overflowing imagination. Through the crazy thoughts of the fearful kitten, the reader discovers the colorful daily life of an animal bar. A manga that makes the reader laugh by stroking it in the direction of the hair.
yakuza cat by Kamimura Riddle, published by Doki-Doki, €7.50
mangaka
If there is one profession that particularly arouses the curiosity of readers, it is that of mangaka. And it’s a medium very often staged in the manga. If the very popular Bakuman and the no less excellent rin, portray the profession of mangaka. Whole sections of this industry remain unknown. Here are two titles to explain a little more behind the scenes of this very special universe.
In Hitman – Behind the scenes of the manga, Ryunosuke Kenzaki has just realized his dream: he became an editor, or tantô, in the flagship magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine. But set foot in the editorial department of the weekly pre-publication magazine that saw the birth Fairy Tail, Hajime no Ippo, tokyo revenge and many other bestsellers is only the first of a great human adventure. While he is trying to prove himself by supervising new authors, he meets Tsubasa, in whom he sees gigantic potential. It’s decided, he’s going to help her become a successful author. But in the world of publishing all is not rosy, on the contrary…
Hitman – Behind the scenes of the manga by Seo Koji, published by Pika editions, €7.20
Reimp! also explores behind the scenes of manga publishing.
Following an injury, Kokoro abandoned his dream of representing Japan at the judo Olympics. She will put all her energy, her aggressiveness and her abnegation to prepare the interviews for entry to the publishing house Shogakukan (a house which celebrates its centenary in 2022, and which publishes, among other things, the famous Weekly Shōnen Sunday where was published Touch by Mitsuru Adachi). Curious, motivated and bursting with energy, the young Kokoro will discover the thousand and one professions of the publishing world, all united in a goal how to make a title a success sufficient to require a reprint. Editorial assistants, commercial, marketing, booksellers, the young editor takes the reader with her in the discovery of this fascinating universe. Of course the mangakas are not left out, with a gallery – sometimes caricatural – of varied portraits.
Reimp! by Naoko Mazda, published by Glénat, €7.60
sake brewer
What job best illustrates the complexity of the Japanese working world than that of tojithese sake masters ? At the same time guarantor of an ancestral artisanal tradition but also an industrialist experienced in the arts of export and marketing?
When her brother, heir to the family brewery, falls ill, Natsuko quits her job at a Tokyo marketing company and returns to her family in the countryside to take up the torch. She takes up her brother’s dream, to find the “Wonderful Dragon” rice which gives sake a superior taste. The latter was abandoned by the Japanese brewers because it was too demanding to maintain, and did not tolerate any chemical fertilizers. A true ode to craftsmanship, this manga highlights the abuses of consumer society and the agri-food industry that sanitize tastes in favor of profit. It’s also a sadly realistic illustration of the many glass ceilings that still exist that see women held back in many professional situations simply because of their gender.
Natsuko no sake by Akira Oze, published by Vega editions, €11
Professions that make young and old dream
Astronaut
If there is a profession that makes children all over the world dream, it is that of astronaut. And it is not Thomas Pesquet who would contradict us.
As a child, Mutta and his little brother Hibito see a UFO one summer evening. They then promise to go into space one day. In 2025, Hibito has become an astronaut and is about to take off for the Moon. Mutta has just lost his job as a car designer and is returning to the family home. Driven by his brother, the flame of space is rekindled. But at 31, can you chase a childhood dream again? A river title that narrates in a realistic way the daily life anything but down to earth of Japanese astronauts. A most enjoyable trip.
Space Brothers by Chûya Koyama, published by Pika editions, 8.20 euros.
Pop star
On a fantastic background, this manga tells the story of the twins of Ai Hoshino, an absolutely famous pop-star. Only in Japan, when you are a famous singer, having children remains a taboo. These two twins inherited their mother’s talents and each approached the world of show business differently. A universe much less glamorous than it seems once you have removed the rhinestones and sequins. Maybe after reading this manga, this job will make readers dream less…
Oshi no ko by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, published by Kurokawa editions, €7.65
Pediatrician
Maco is an atypical young pediatrician. In this world where health is driven by profitability, he takes the time to care about his patients beyond the most obvious symptoms. And he also has his own secret Youtube channel. In this slice of hospital life, each patient comes not only with their symptoms but also with their personal baggage. Parents who carry out self-diagnosis online, absent or on the contrary much too present… It is a multitude of facets of Japanese society that the mangaka Toshiya Higashimoto brilliantly illustrates.
The Children of Hippocrates by Toshiya Higashimoto, published by Mangetsu, €7.95
Pharmacist
When we talk about work in hospitals, we think first of all of doctors and nurses. But there are also a myriad of other professions: anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, radiologists… and hospital pharmacists. It is this last profession that the manga highlights Unsung Cinderella where the reader follows the daily life of Midori Aoi. And it is definitely not only in the nursing home where the patients become simple numbers but Midori keeps a human link and clings to each patient, even if it means displeasing his hierarchy.
Unsung Cinderella by Mamare Arai and Tomino Hiromitsu, published by Meian Editions, €6.95
Daily jobs
Interim office worker
Narumi Maruyama is an ordinary-looking 24-year-old girl.. As a temporary employee, she strives to fit as much as possible into the mold of a society that persists in hitting on the slightest nail that sticks out. Lemon Haruna delivers an almost autobiographical manga, herself having been a temporary worker before becoming a mangaka. Beyond the questioning of the place of work as a temporary salesperson, this manga is a very critical pamphlet against the working society, a real machine for crushing individualities. No wonder this title found a strong echo among high school students who selected it for the Fauve Lycéen prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival.
Daruchan by Lemon Haruna, published by Le Lezard Noir, €16
Video club employee
Upon leaving high school, Tsubomi stops studying to enter directly into working life. Without really aim or passion, she finds a small job at the local video club while continuing to live with her parents. She is what the Japanese call a “freer“. Discover the daily life of this young girl in search of self-affirmation and independence. Beyond the physical changes (Tsubomi is complexed by her appearance), the latter will see her whole way of life evolve in contact with her new colleagues but also regular customers. A very touching slice of life.
Without complex?, by Ryo Ikuemi, published by Akata editions, €8.05
Graphic designer
Freshly graduated from a graphic design school, Tama is preparing to enter the workforce. But her first job interview is an absolute disaster that leaves her traumatized. She no longer dares to apply for any job. Worried for her, her father sends her CV without telling her for a graphic design agency specializing in pachinkos – a kind of one-armed Japanese bandit – and against all odds, her silence does not bother the eccentric boss of the agency who decides to hire her. ‘to hire. Tama will discover not only the basics of pachinkos but also her first feelings for a colleague. Subway, work, sleep and romance at work. A slice of life so simple but so effective that any worker will find an echo in the life of Tama and those around her.
First Job, New Life by Yoko Nemu, published by Kana, €7.45