Interest
Tokyo's Vandalized KochiKame Statue to Be Replaced
posted on by Gia Manry
A bronze statue of the character Reiko Catherine Akimoto, from Osamu Akimoto's Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo (Kochikame), was found leaning at its ankles "apparently after being attacked" on May 19 in Tokyo. The statue, one of 11 featuring characters from Kochikame on display around the Kameari Police Station, has been covered in protective plastic sheets to prevent further damage during the creation of a replacement statue.
The original statue featured Akimoto in a walking pose, but in the replacement, due to be unveiled on November 6, she will appear sitting. The November 6 date was chosen due to a festival featuring Kochikame protagonist Kankichi Ryotsu.
Osamu Akimoto launched the Kochikame manga in 1976 and continues to serialize it to this day. The manga also retains a high level of popularity, regularly appearing on Japan's top manga sales charts, including as recently as September 6-12. A live-action adaptation of the manga aired in Japan in 2009, and a follow-up film was announced this past August.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun
Images © Mainichi Shimbun
