Fujio Akatsuka Biography: Tensai Bakabon and the Three Mothers

2019/12/13

Who exactly was Fujio Akatsuka, the manga artist who left behind "Osomatsu-kun" and "Tensai Bakabon"? The keyword was "mother complex." Akatsuka admitted to having a "mother complex." There were three "mothers." Through them, I approached the true image of Akatsuka.

His biological mother, Riyo, returned from Manchuria after the war with Akatsuka and his three siblings. His father had been sent to Siberia. Amidst a life of poverty, she supported Akatsuka—who was inspired by Osamu Tezuka's works and aspired to be a manga artist—by providing him with precious paper and pens.

The second mother was his first wife, Tomoko. They worked together on his breakout hits "Osomatsu-kun" and "Himitsu no Akko-chan." Even after divorcing Akatsuka, who turned to alcohol and women after finding success, she continued to care for him and became a "mother" who even looked after him until his remarriage.

The third mother was his second wife, Machiko. She helped Akatsuka recover from the depths of alcoholism. When he developed esophageal cancer, she remained strong and cheerful, and she continued to support him devotedly even after he collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage.

"Well, have a drink." My first meeting with Akatsuka began abruptly with him "offering a glass." It was the early summer of 1992. From then on, I covered Fujio Akatsuka closely.

While his wild behavior—such as boasting of his history with a thousand women and appearing on TV while dead drunk—stood out, it was an expression of Akatsuka-style hospitality. In reality, he was shy, sensible, deeply loving, and a considerate person.

In '95, while working at the Sports Nippon newspaper, I was in charge of the 50th post-war anniversary project "Bakabon Senyuroku." It was a long-running daily series of 72 installments tracing post-war history through manga artists.

Once meetings were over, drinking sessions would begin. Before I knew it, I started staying overnight at the Akatsuka residence, and even after the series ended, I became a frequent visitor.

Actually, I started writing this book in February 2001, triggered by Akatsuka directly suggesting, "Why don't you try writing about me?"

In 2002, as I began reporting and writing to meet his trust and expectations, Akatsuka collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage. In 2006, while he was fighting his illness, Machiko passed away suddenly. In 2008, Tomoko and Akatsuka passed away one after another.

Though I faltered many times, the "homework" never left my mind. It took 18 years for it to become a book...

Fujio Akatsuka Biography: Tensai Bakabon and the Three Mothers

Takashi Yamaguchi

Naigai Publishing

288 pages, 1,700 yen (excluding tax)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.