Monthly Ikki

Monthly Ikki (Japanese: 月刊IKKI, Hepburn: Gekkan Ikki) was a monthly seinen manga magazine published by Shogakukan. It tended to specialize in underground or alternative manga, but has had its share of major hits as well. The magazine started in 2000 as spin-off of Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits and became a standalone monthly magazine in 2003. In 2009, Viz Media launched an online English version of Monthly Ikki, named SigIkki, which serialized various titles from the magazine. Monthly Ikki ceased publication in 2014.

Monthly Ikki
Cover of the October 2006 issue of Monthly Ikki.
EditorHideki Egami
CategoriesSeinen manga[1]
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation11,500 (2010)
First issueApril 2003
Final issueNovember 2014
CompanyShogakukan
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
WebsiteOfficial website archived

History

Editor Hideki Egami was working in the editorial department of Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits for 18 years. Egami realized that although the weekly manga magazine is the standard in Japan, the manga was getting more sophisticated, and he thought that some manga artists would do better as creators of monthly series rather than weeklies, as weekly serialized creators tend to use many assistants and is a very fast-paced work stream. On the other hand, he considered that monthly manga artists are more likely to do more of the work on their own, or with very few people assisting them, taking time for a more thoughtful approach to create their stories. Egami decided to create a monthly magazine, as a spin-off of Weekly Big Comic Spirits.[2] The magazine started in 2000, titled Spirits Zōkan Ikki (スピリッツ増刊IKKI, Supirittsu Zōkan Ikki), and thirteen issues were released from November 30, 2000 to December 25, 2002.[3][4] Ikki became a standalone monthly magazine in 2003, with its first issue, the April 2003 issue, released on February 25.[5][6]

In 2009, Viz Media launched an online English version of Monthly Ikki, named SigIkki.[7] Egami stated that the original pages of the magazine in Japan were digitized, and deciding on how to use this material, the first thing he thought was on translating it in English to reach a wider audience.[2] The website serialized various titles from Monthly Ikki online, and then, when a title proved to be popular it received publication in graphic novel form. It also included interviews with the Japanese creators and editors.[7] In January 2013, Ikki Paradise, the official website of the magazine, launched the web manga corner Web Ikipara Comic (WEBイキパラCOMIC), which serialized manga specifically made for the web for free to readers.[8][9]

In July 2014, the September issue of Monthly Ikki announced that it would cease publication after 14-year run, being the November 2014 issue, released on September 25, 2014, the last issue published.[10][11] Some series, which were running in the magazine at the time, finished with the last issue, while others were transferred to other magazines.[12] The magazine would be replaced by Hibana, which started with its April 2015 issue, released on March 25, 2015.[13][14][15] Hibana ceased publication after 2-year run, being the September 2017 issue, released on August 7, 2017, the last issue published.[16]

Style

Monthly Ikki was considered an underground magazine,[6][17] and it focused mainly on the creativity of the authors rather that the expectation of the audience, as Egami stated: "At the time we were founding IKKI, my boss told me that with Weekly Comic Spirits, we have to see the ocean for the sea, meaning that you have to see the audience or the readers' point of view. But for IKKI, you have to see the spring that is the origin of the river, meaning you have to see the creator and work with the creator; that it's important to understand the artists' point of view".[18][2] The magazine advertised itself as a "comics magazine" instead of "manga magazine" due to its different kind of manga.[19] Egami said that the slogan of the magazine was "We are still at the dawn of the manga era", explaining: "The spirit of this tagline is that the dawn is still approaching; meaning that if you assume that the history of manga will continue for 200 years or longer, we are still at the very beginning. Even though some people think that the manga market is saturated, that it is mature and sophisticated, we believe that there is still a lot more that can be done in the manga world".[20] The content of the magazine was compared to the American/European alternative comics.[18][21] To recruit artists for the magazine, they looked for creators who worked for other magazines or publishers, and to look for new artists, they held a newcomers contest.[2] Saturn Apartments's Hisae Iwaoka and I'll Give It My All... Tomorrow's Shunju Aono were artists discovered through the newcomers content.[20]

Circulation and demographic

In 2009, the magazine had 13,750 copies in circulation.[22] In 2010, the numbers dropped to 11,500 copies in circulation.[23] Egami himself admitted that the magazine did not sell very well in Japan.[19] Some series from the magazine, like Bokurano: Ours and Rideback, received anime adaptations, which helped to increase the tankōbon volume sales of those series, but did not affect that much the sales of the magazine itself.[18]

Monthly Ikki was a seinen manga magazine, aimed at older teens and young adult readers,[21][18] however, Egami stated that they were not trying to focus on the gender or age of their readers, unlike most part of Japanese manga industry, and the magazine was "for everybody".[20][24] Egami said that most of their audience was in their twenties, and there also was a younger group of readers who ranged from older teens to an older audience, some who were up to 50's. According to Egami, 40% of Monthly Ikki's readers were female, something unusual for a seinen manga magazine, and regarding the teen readers, 60% were girls. Egami said that in every age, gender or group are people with creative minds who could understand the concepts presented in their series, and Monthly Ikki was trying to reach that specific type of reader.[20][24] Ikki, unlike other seinen manga magazines, did not use color nude photos on the issues cover, because according to Egami it alienated female readers and it was not "the kind of nudity to begin with".[19] Egami also stated that they were not intentionally trying to make series equally appealing to both men and women readers, and titles like House of Five Leaves, which was popular with female readers, "just happen[ed] to be popular with female readers".[24]

Ongoing titles in the final issue

2000–04
  • Anjū no Chi (安住の地) by Naoki Yamamoto (2000–2002)
  • The Beetles[lower-alpha 2] by Atsushi Nobuzawa (original story) and Toshihiro Katagiri (art) (2000–2001)
  • Fujisan (富士山) by Akira Sasō (2000–2001)
  • G Senjō Heaven's Door (G戦場ヘヴンズドア, G Senjō Hevunzu Doa) by Yoko Nihonbashi (2000–2003)
  • Guns & Blaze (ガンズ&ブレイズ, Ganzu & Bureizu) by Seiho Takizawa (2000–2002)
  • Kagata no Suzu (永田のすず) by Ryo Nagata (2000–2002)
  • Mahiru no Umi (まひるの海) by Sakuya Hikochi (2000–2002)
  • Mangaka Chō Zankoku Monogatari (漫画家超残酷物語) by Nawoki Karasawa (2000–2003)
  • No. 5 (ナンバーファイブ 吾, Nanbā Faibu) by Taiyō Matsumoto (2000–2005)
  • Sexy Voice and Robo (セクシーボイスアンドロボ, Sekushī Boisu Ando Robo) by Iou Kuroda (2000–2002)
  • Manga Sekuhara Senmon Gakkō (漫画セクハラ専門学校) by Nakatani D. (2001–2003)
  • Freesia (フリージア, Furījia) by Jiro Matsumoto (2001–2009)
  • Sukimasuki (スキマスキ) by Yumi Unita (2001–2003)
  • Tetsuko no Tabi (鉄子の旅) by Hirohiko Yokomi (story) and Naoe Kikuchi (art) (2001–2006)
  • Noramimi (のらみみ) by Kazuo Hara (2002–2009)
  • Heibon Ponch (平凡ポンチ, Heibon Ponchi) by George Asakura (2003–2006)
  • Rideback by Tetsurō Kasahara (2003–2008)
  • Witches (魔女, Majo) by Daisuke Igarashi (2003–2004)
  • Maho Tsukai Mimicchi (まほおつかいミミッチ) by Hiroko Matsuda (2003–2006)
  • Wild Mountain (ワイルドマウンテン, Wairudo Maunten) by Hideyasu Moto (2003–2009)
  • Natsu no Kumo (ナツノクモ) by Rokuro Shinofusa (2003–2007)
  • Bokurano: Ours (ぼくらの, Bokura no) by Mohiro Kitoh (2003–2009)
  • Hana Boro (花ボーロ) by Hisae Iwaoka (2004–2005)
  • Tsukidate no Satsujin (月館の殺人) by Yukito Ayatsuji (story) and Noriko Sasaki (art) (2004–2006)

2005–09
  • Swweeet by Kei Aoyama (2005–2006)
  • Children of the Sea (海獣の子供, Kaijū no Kodomo) by Daisuke Igarashi (2005–2011)
  • Flying Girl (フライングガール, Furaingu Gāru) by Tetsu Kasabe (2005–2006)
  • House of Five Leaves (さらい屋五葉, Sarai-ya Goyō) by Natsume Ono (2005–2010)
  • Saturn Apartments (土星マンション, Dosei Mansion) by Hisae Iwaoka (2005–2011)
  • Yomawari Sensei (夜回り先生) by Osamu Mizutani (original story) and Seiki Tsuchida (art) (2005–2008)
  • Blanco (ブランコ, Buranco) by Wisut Ponnimit (2006–2010)
  • Fruits (フルーツ, Furūtsu) by Kōichi Kiba (2006)
  • I Love Biyori (あいらぶびより, Ai Rabu Biyori) by Kō Akita (2006–2009)
  • Real World (リアルワールド, Riaru Wārudo) by Natsuo Kirino (original story) and Den Ishida (art) (2006–2007)
  • I'll Give It My All... Tomorrow (俺はまだ本気出してないだけ, Ore wa Mada Honki Dashitenai Dake) by Shunju Aono (2007–2012)
  • Ma Q Ken (魔Qケン乙) by Masahiko Kikuni (moved from Weekly Young Sunday, 2008–2010)
  • Bob & His Funky Crew (ボブとゆかいな仲間たち, Bob to Yukaina Nakamatachi) by Puncho Kondoh (2009–2012)
  • Junkin' Gap Clash by Jinko Kobayashi (2009–2014)[38][12]
  • Takanashi-san (高梨さん) by Motoyuki Ōta (2009–2012)
  • Shin Tetsuko no Tabi (新・鉄子の旅) by Hirohiko Yokomi (story) and Kanoko Hoashi (art) (2009–2013)
  • Wombs by Yumiko Shirai (2009–2012)[39] — Continued publication via compiled tankōbon volumes.

2010–14

Notes
  1. Stylized as Điện Biên Phủ
  2. Titled as Wāgen wo Dakishimetai (ワーゲンを抱きしめたい, "I Want to Hug the Volkswagen") in the collected volume.

References
  1. Loo, Egan (January 18, 2010). "2009 Japanese Manga Magazine Circulation Numbers". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  2. Aoki, Deb (August 2009). "Interview: Hideki Egami". About.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  3. スピリッツ増刊IKKIバックナンバー!!. IKKI Paradise (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 25, 2004. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  4. ＩＫＫＩ（イッキ）　１３ (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on January 15, 2004. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  5. 月刊ＩＫＫＩ　創刊号 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on August 29, 2003. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  6. "About IKKI". SigIkki. Viz Media. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  7. Loo, Egan (May 21, 2009). "Viz Posts English Version of Ikki Mag Online (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  8. Loo, Egan (January 7, 2013). "Ikki Online Manga Debuts with House of Five Leaves Spinoff". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. WEBイキパラCOMICとは…. Ikki Paradise (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  10. Nelkin, Sarah (July 19, 2014). "Monthly Ikki Magazine Suspends Publication". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  11. 月刊IKKI最終号が発売、新雑誌に東村アキコら. Natalie (in Japanese). September 25, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  12. Ressler, Karen (July 30, 2014). "Monthly Ikki Magazine's Individual Series' Plans Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  13. Loo, Egan (July 22, 2014). "Monthly Ikki Magazine Announces New Magazine Launching This Winter". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  14. 新雑誌・ヒバナ、小学館から2015年3月に発刊！東村アキコ、鎌谷悠希ら執筆. Natalie (in Japanese). November 11, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  15. 新青年マンガ誌・ヒバナ、本日発刊！東村アキコらの特典や複製原画展も. Natalie (in Japanese). March 6, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  16. Sherman, Jennifer (July 7, 2017). "Shogakukan's Hibana Magazine Ends Publication After 2 Years". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  17. Thompson, Jason (July 3, 2012). Manga: The Complete Guide. Del Rey Books. pp. 1268–1269. ISBN 978-0-345-53944-1.
  18. "ICv2 Interviews Hideki Egami". ICv2. August 24, 2009. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  19. Ishii, Anne (July 28, 2009). "The Changing Face of Manga: Talking with Hideki Egami". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  20. Aoki, Deb. "Interview: Hideki Egami - Page 2". About.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  21. Aoki, Deb (June 1, 2009). "VIZ Debuts IKKI, New Online-Only Manga Magazine". About.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2020. In other words, IKKI spotlights manga that is geared toward older teens and young adult readers who prefer sophisticated, artistically innovative and thought-provoking comics, similar to alternative / indie / graphic novels comics in America and Europe.
  22. Loo, Egan (January 18, 2010). "2009 Japanese Manga Magazine Circulation Numbers". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  23. Loo, Egan (January 17, 2011). "2010 Japanese Manga Magazine Circulation Numbers". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  24. Aoki, Deb. "Interview: Hideki Egami - Page 3". About.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  25. 月刊ＩＫＫＩ ８月号 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 27, 2003. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  26. 「ディエンビエンフー」、“TRUE END”のタイトル冠し月刊アクションで連載. Natalie (in Japanese). November 25, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  27. えすとえむ青年誌初登場、IKKIで闘牛マンガを新連載. Natalie (in Japanese). June 25, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  28. 五十嵐大介「海獣の子供」完結、最終5巻は画集と同時発売. Natalie (in Japanese). September 24, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  29. 重松成美の電子図書めぐるSF作品「BABEL」IKKIで連載化. Natalie (in Japanese). May 25, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  30. IKKIで三浦靖冬が新連載、大洋ら作家陣の私物プレゼント. Natalie (in Japanese). December 25, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  31. 三浦靖冬「薄花少女」サンデーGXでの移籍連載スタート、1話も丸ごと掲載. Natalie (in Japanese). November 19, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  32. IKKIで榎本俊二が新連載、創刊10周年フェス開催も予告. Natalie (in Japanese). January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  33. IKKIで榎本俊二祭り！少女たちの戦い描く新作など2本立て. Natalie (in Japanese). December 25, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  34. 青野春秋がIKKIに帰還！「ニッケルオデオン」も連載再開. Natalie (in Japanese). November 25, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  35. 「じょしらく」のヤスがIKKI登場、喫茶店舞台に女子描く. Natalie (in Japanese). May 25, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  36. 吉野朔実「period」IKKIで4年ぶり再開、ふみふみこ読切も. Natalie (in Japanese). April 25, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  37. ノッツがIKKIで1話完結型の新連載、真造圭伍も読切発表. Natalie (in Japanese). March 24, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  38. IKKI8月号、小林じんこが連載開始＆鬼頭「ぼくらの」完結. Natalie (in Japanese). June 25, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  39. はがきを出せば必ずもらえる。IKKI特製ポストカード. Natalie (in Japanese). April 25, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  40. Loo, Egan (January 19, 2010). "Gunjō Yuri Manga to Resume in Ikki Mag in February". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  41. IKKIでマンガ道に悩む女を描いた新連載＆「羣青」完結. Natalie (in Japanese). January 25, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  42. 道満晴明がIKKIでショート新連載、第1話は8Pオールカラー. Natalie (in Japanese). September 25, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
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