Matsumoto Katsuji

(from well-corp.jp): Katsuji Matsumoto's representative work. Initially serialized in Shojo no Tomo from January 1938 until December 1940. In the early post-war period the manga resumed serialization in the manga magazine Shojo, now under the title "Kurumi-chan", from November 1949 to February 1954. Featuring the day-to-day of a little girl named Kurumi (クルミ, meaning "chestnut"), The chapters were episodic, each being around 4 pages. A gag work, with an emphasis on the everyday. Kurumi-chan was later collected into two tankoban volumes in 1987, one year after Matsumoto's passing. At the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989), when the culture of Shojo magazines was flourishing and lyrical painters were competing with each other with their gorgeous brush strokes, Katsuji Matsumoto emerged as an artist of the new generation following Kayoi Takahata and Koji Fukiya, and his exotic and gorgeous style gained popularity with the likes of Junichi Nakahara. On the other hand, he also drew bright and cute illustrations with a touch of humor, and challenged himself to create gag manga, freely manipulating contrasting styles and demonstrating a versatile artistic talent not found in existing artists. Among his works, the manga "Kurukuru Kurumi-chan" was serialized in shojo manga magazines for 35 years from the early Showa period (1926-1989) and became a pioneer of shojo manga, as well as the originator of Japanese character goods, which were commercialized one after another as postcards, letter paper covers, and so on. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the origin of "Kawaii" can be traced back to Kuru Kurumi-chan in the history of Japanese " kawaii" culture. Crowdfunding for an Anime Pilot Adaptation was started in 2015. Preview for it can be seen here

Considered the earliest example of a magical girl in manga. Published as a 16-page oneshot. Thought to be lost but was rediscovered years later for an exhibit.

Matsumoto's manga debut. Focused on the daily life of a rambunctious Chinese girl named Poku-chan. Irregularly serialized between November 1930 and March 1934.