By Debuting in Japan next month
- by Jim Norman
Following Smash Bros. streams, Direct showcases, and countless YouTube uploads, we think you likely have a solid grasp of who Masahiro Sakurai is at this stage. But seeing his life narrative presented as a manga? Now that’s something different (thanks for the tip, VGC).
Famitsu has disclosed that the iconic creator of Kirby and Smash will soon have his very own manga biography, named “Masahiro Sakurai: Making the World More Enjoyable with Games’ (via Google Translate). The book, to which Sakurai has contributed, chronicles his journey from a childhood fascination with gaming, through the inception of Kirby and Sora, and up to the contemporary era. It even concludes with an epilogue that appears to be penned by Sakurai himself.
According to Famitsu, the manga comprises six chapters with the following titles (once more, via Translate):
- Chapter 1: “Young Sakurai and Games”
- Chapter 2: “The Creation of Kirby of the Stars!”
- Chapter 3: “The Start of the Epic Battle”
- Chapter 4: “Sora Limited Company Formed!”
- Chapter 5: “Legacy”
- Chapter 6: “A Beacon for the Future”
The book is set to release in Japan on 18th November for 1,430 yen (approximately £7 / $9), and while an English version hasn’t been made public as of this writing, Famitsu has shared a preview of the next three pages:
Sakurai’s YouTube channel has given us an exceptional glimpse into the creator’s thoughts, so we’re somewhat uncertain what else remains to be unveiled. Nevertheless, a manga biography wasn’t something we anticipated popping up anytime soon, so it is indeed an exciting reveal.
Our next encounter with Sakurai will probably be during his second Kirby Air Riders Direct, which was hinted at last month. The upcoming racer featuring the pink puffball is set to launch on Switch 2 on 20th November, which leaves us with only a few weeks for another information drop from Sakurai himself. Stay tuned for a Direct announcement!
What are your thoughts on this manga? Share your opinions in the comments.
[source famitsu.com, via videogameschronicle.com]
Jim joined Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his claim that The Minish Cap is the finest Zelda title and his undying affection for the Star Wars prequels (yes, truly), he has consistently written news and features on the website ever since.