Manga Division
Excellence Award
Hyakkiyakosyo
IMA Ichiko
©IMA Ichiko/ASAHI SONORASMA
Profile
IMA Ichiko
Born in Toyama. Made her debut as a manga artist in 1993. Started a serial of Hyakkiyakosyo in Nemuki in 1995. Her major works include: Hyakkiyakosyo, ASHINAGA OJISANTACHI NO YUKUE, BUNCHOSAMA TO WATASHI, etc.
Award Reason
Beautiful and scary. The story proceeds in a quiet and delicate manner but it produces anxiety in its readers as if they had looked into the abyss of horror as soon as they begin to read. The carefully calculated dialogue and frame layout create a unique time-space. What creates an elegant atmosphere is the ability to structure an attractive story and the skillful drawing of the author who is very laid back. It is good that the innocent charm of specters comes and goes over time. This work is fascinating and makes us aware that death and life exist very close to each other in this way, perhaps just as they exist in our daily life.