For the 150th anniversary since his birth, the town of Kusu, is celebrating Takehiko Kurushima through various events this year. Takehiko Kurushima was a famous children’s storywriter born in Kusu, who created many popular stories and fairy tales that would become popular in Japan. He is often compared to being the Hans Christian Andersen of Japan. To kick off this anniversary, the Kusu Town Tourism Association and Paradisso Eight Co. Ltd. has worked with Hiroyuki Takei to create a new manga oneshot story along with a variety of new illustrations for the event. An official website has opened for this promotion as well.
Eventyr – Kurushima Book Manga
Hiroyuki Takei’s new oneshot manga, Eventyr – Kurushima Book (イベンチュア-KURUSHIMA BOOK-), was released as a free standalone digital eBook on various platforms, in Japan on April 22nd, 2024. The eBook is 62 pages long, completely in Japanese, but is available for worldwide reading from services such as Bookwalker (account creation required, but can be the same as the English/Global account).
The story follows a young boy and his family whom are visiting his grandparents house in Kusu for the summer. While being frustrated with the situation, he stumbles upon a book called Eventyr with his little sister, but it unleashes some evil spirits that were sealed away. To help reseal away the spirits, the ghost of Kurushima Takhiko appears and using the power of the characters from within his various stories can help save the town and the boy.
The eBook is published by Shueisha. With the conclusion of the Jump X (Kai) magazine and various other circumstances at the end of 2014, Hiroyuki Takei began a process to change publishers over to Kodansha starting in 2015. All of the other titles he had printed under Shueisha were removed during that transition. Now about 10 years later, this is the first digital book he has worked with them on publishing. The copyright for the books is just under “(C)Takei”, and Shueisha does not appear to have any other involvement. There is no announcements if this oneshot story will have a physical print release. It is possible that this story could be included in future print releases from Hiroyuki Takei that is not published by Shueisha.
Hiroyuki Takei’s Comment
As part of the press release for the manga, Hiroyuki Takei wrote a letter on April 20th, about his story. Below is Takei’s original handwritten letter alongside a rough English translation.
“Eventyr”
This is Danish for “Fairy Tale”, the language of Andersen’s birthplace. It isn’t a word I’ve heard before, but I interpret it something like “Event + Adventurous Character”.
…Sorry if that sounds stupid, but there might be a connection there? I think there is some rationale with this since fairy tales are born from the stories (or events) of these characters.
They are interesting characters.
They are wild stories.
Are these not the first stories children will hear? Why? It’s the importance of giving them to “think for yourself”, to feel sad, to feel happy, and to show “compassion to other” within them.
These days, manga is no longer just for children. I am grateful for Mr. Takehiko Kurushima for his lifetime of “telling” these stories to the children. I hope I can help tell their stories in a new way as well.
Hiroyuki Takei
4.20.2024
Smartphone Game
For guests whom are in Kusu Town in Oita Prefecture, there is an interactive Smartphone game you can play. If you visit Paradiso Oita or Mishima Park, you can complete various tasks to win real prizes.
At the main building in Paradiso Oita, there is a QR code you can scan which gives you a game to play which requires you to travel to 4 locations in the area. If you beat the game, you can receive an exclusive sticket at the main building, receive a 10% off coupon for the merch goods at the park, and be entered to win a free meal voucher.
In Mishima Park, you can also play the game as well, and after beating the game, you can go to the Kurushima Takehiko Memorial Museum or the Kusu Town Tourism Association for your exclusive sticker.
The smartphone game is web-based and requires you to register with your Japanese phone-number with internet access in order to play. SMS authentication is needed with the phone number. Additionally you will need to have GPS turned on for tracking at the Mishima Park location.
You can find additional details about the smartphone game on the official website. If at the locations in Japan, you can play the game here.
AR Mode with Momotaro
At the Paradiso Oita, within the smartphone game you can use a 3D AR (Augmented Reality) mode to place Hiroyuki Takei’s drawn Momotaro in real-life locations. You can access the AR mode from here on your phone.
Event Goods
With the event there are also some new goods using Hiroyuki Takei’s artwork that can be purchased in-person from Paradiso Oita, Takehiko Kurushima Memorial Museum, and the Kusu Town Tourism Association. Additional details about each purchase location are available on the official website. Currently no online ordering or mail order is available.
Poster
Each sold separately.
Price: 600 yen each
Size: 728 x 515 mm (comes in a cardboard box)
Designs: Eventyr (Design A) and Kirikuisan (Design B)
Clear File
Each sold separately.
Price: 440 yen each
Size: 310 x 220 mm
Designs: Eventyr (Design A) and Kirikuisan (Design B)
Postcard Set
Set comes with both designs
Price: 300 yen
Size: 148 x 100 mm (comes in a cardboard box)
Designs: Eventyr and Kirikuisan
Sticker
Each sold separately.
Price: 500 yen each
Size: 80 x 60 mm
Designs: Eventyr (Design A) and Kirikuisan (Design B)
Can Badge
Each sold separately at random/blind.
Price: 300 yen each
Size: 57 mm diameter
Designs: 6 possible designs
