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Manga About Entrance Exams Gets an Indonesian Reboot

For years, Japanese students studying and preparing for entrance exams have had a hero to look up to, thanks to Norifusa Mita's popular Dragon Zakura manga series. Published in Kodansha's Morning weekly manga anthology from 2003 to 2007, it follows a group of struggling high school students who are able to pass the University of Tokyo entrance exam after some guidance from ex-motorcycle gang member-turned-teacher Kenji Sakuragi. It was later adapted into a live-action Japanese TV series in 2005, as well as a South Korean TV drama in 2010 called "Master of Study."

The series is now getting a reboot of sorts, this time in Indonesia, where entrance exams have gotten highly competitive. It will be drawn by a local cartoonist, and instead of the University of Tokyo, the characters' dream school will be replaced with a prestigious Indonesian school. A digital version is set to be released in mid-September, with a print version hitting shelves in early 2014.

As quoted from this Asahi article, a representative from character property licensor TG Rights Studio Co. said in regards to the decision:

"As entrance exams have also become highly competitive in Indonesia, we concluded that it would be easier to win over readers there. We can also expect demand for merchandising rights for lucky charms for exams, study guides and other materials... It will be adapted to incorporate social situations like the fact most people commute on motorcycles. Also, it will put things in a cultural context such as locals behaving differently depending on which islands they are originally from."

The Indonesian market can look forward to more such collaborations in the future between TG Rights Studio Co and Jakarta-based Kompas Gramedia Group— the two have plans to work together on more remakes of Japanese manga titles, as well as TV and film adaptations.

Designs for the Indonesian protagonist who will step in for Sakuragi

Via Asahi Shimbum and Tokyo Otaku Mode