Movies News Talk
With his most recent manga project, No/Name, renowned Anime writer Rafal Jaki—best known for his work on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners—has achieved a new height. Co-created with artist MACHINE GAMU, this series has set a world record by being the first Western-produced manga to appear in serial form on both the major MANGA Plus and Shonen Jump+ platforms. In September 2023, No/Name made its debut as a one-shot on the MANGA Plus Creators portal, and it immediately amassed a sizable fan base. Readers can now anticipate receiving new chapters of this intriguing and distinctive novel on a regular basis.
In the dystopian science fiction universe of No/Name, names have enormous power. People get names that correspond to their allotted duties in society, and these names bestow upon them particular skills. The protagonist of the tale is a baby born into terrible circumstances to a dictatorial father whose name endows him with authority over others. The story looks with issues of identity, authority, and the struggle for independence in a world where people are defined by their names.
A major turning point for Western-created manga is the serialization of No/Name on MANGA Plus and Shonen Jump+. It indicates an increasing trend of diversification in the global manga market, indicating a need for novel viewpoints and distinctive storylines. MANGA Plus is a global audience platform that launched the Creators initiative to promote global contributions from authors and artists. The fact that No/Name has already attracted a lot of attention shows how well the platform works to promote fresh material.
No/Name is a prime example of seinen manga, exploring taboo subjects, intricate themes of a dystopian science fiction society, and potent political commentary. With the same narrative complexity and flair that made Cyberpunk: Edgerunners a critical and financial success, it addresses social issues. Readers of various ages and backgrounds will find the series intriguing to read because of its original concept and gripping plot.
Rafal Jaki brings his experience and storytelling skills to No/Name. He was once the director of business development at CD PROJEKT RED, the company behind Cyberpunk 2077 and the Witcher games. With a distinct twist, the series explores themes of power struggles and societal control comparable to Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The story is interesting and provocative because of the government's control over names and the ensuing power dynamics.
No/Name shows that there is a rising market for unique and inventive Comics, which acts as motivation for aspiring Western manga creators. The popularity of the series shows how Western authors may expand their audience and contribute to the global manga market. No/Name continues to enthrall viewers and influence the direction of Western manga with new chapters released every two weeks.