is a Japanese

manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...

series written and illustrated by . It was serialized in

Shogakukan is a Japanese publisher of comics, magazines, light novels, dictionaries, literature, non-fiction, home media, and other media in Japan. Shogakukan founded Shueisha, which also founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but ...

's manga magazine ''

Monthly Ikki was a monthly manga magazine published by Shogakukan. It tended to specialize in Underground comix, underground or alternative manga, but it had its share of major hits as well. The magazine started in 2000 as a spin-off (media), spin-off to S ...

'' from November 2000 to June 2003, with its chapters published in three ''

tankōbon A is a standard publishing format for books in Japan, alongside other formats such as ''shinsho'' (17x11 cm paperback books) and ''bunkobon''. Used as a loanword in English, the term specifically refers to a printed collection of a manga that w ...

'' volumes. It is about two boys, Machizo and Tetsuo, who work together to create manga.

Plot

Machizo Sakaida is the son of Daizō Sakai, a renowned

manga artist A manga artist, also known as a mangaka (), is a Cartoonist, comic artist who writes and/or illustrates manga. Most manga artists study at an art college or manga school or take on an apprenticeship with another artist before entering the indus ...

. Resenting his father's success, Machizo struggles to escape his shadow. After transferring to Tetsuo's school, Machizo clashes with him when Tetsuo attempts to enter a manga competition—hoping to win prize money for his mother's medical bills—by redrawing ''Oretachi no Banka'', a series by Daizō. Machizo sabotages Tetsuo's early efforts, prompting Kumiko, a fierce admirer of Tetsuo, to retaliate. Eventually, Tetsuo recognizes Machizo's talent for writing, leading them to collaborate on a manga. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Tetsuo's father—who had abandoned the family—seeks to cancel ''Oretachi no Banka''. Additionally, Daizō had taken credit for a manga Tetsuo created, which inadvertently caused his mother's illness. Daizō claims his actions were meant to inspire Tetsuo to return to manga. Machizo (writing) and Tetsuo (illustrating), aided by Kumiko's input, complete their manga just in time, earning the Special Merit Award. Daizō, serving as a judge, presents the prize and emotionally embraces Tetsuo, initially overlooking Machizo. However, Tetsuo's father imposes a new restriction: both must submit solo works for the next competition. Following his mother's death, Tetsuo devotes himself obsessively to manga, while Machizo apprentices under another artist to hone his craft.

Publication

Written and illustrated by , ''G Senjō Heaven's Door'' started in the first issue of

's ''Spirits Zōkan Ikki'' (re-branded as ''

'' in 2003), released on November 30, 2000. The series finished on June 25, 2003. Shogakukan published its chapters in three ''

'' volumes, released from March 29 to September 30, 2003. A three-volume "Complete Edition" was published by Shogakukan between August 12 and October 12, 2016.

Volumes

Reception

''G Senjō Heaven's Door'' was one of the Jury Recommended Works at the 7th

Japan Media Arts Festival The Japan Media Arts Festival was an annual festival held since 1997 by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. The festival begins with an open competition and culminates with the awarding of several prizes and an exhibition. Based on judging by ...

in 2003.

References

External links

* {{Monthly Ikki Coming-of-age anime and manga Manga creation in anime and manga Seinen manga Shogakukan manga