Manga artist Toriko Chiya, widely recognized for her hit series “Tokyo Alice,” has launched a new manga titled “Second Half Girls” (Second Half Girls) on November 27. The series debuted on Kodansha’s Morning two online manga magazine, accessible via the Comic Days website.
Diving into “Second Half Girls”
“Second Half Girls” introduces readers to Nene Oyamada, a 40-year-old single woman who finds joy and purpose in supporting her favorite idol, RENJI, alongside her circle of similarly aged otaku friends. However, Nene’s seemingly stable world is rocked by news of RENJI’s eight-timing affair, leading to an online uproar and his subsequent disappearance and effective retirement from the entertainment industry.
The sudden void leaves Nene and her friends without their central passion, prompting them to re-evaluate their lives. In an era where individuals often live close to 100 years, the manga explores their journey to restart and discover new pursuits and meanings in the “second half” of their lives.
Another Recent Work: “Hakoniwa Monster”
Prior to “Second Half Girls,” Chiya also launched “Hakoniwa Monster: Shōjo Mangaka, Tokidoki Kamibukuro” (Miniature Garden Monster: A Shōjo Manga Creator and Sometimes a Paper Bag) in the 34th issue of Kodansha’s Morning magazine on July 20, 2023. This workplace comedy centers on a manga creator who, after experiencing exploitative conditions at a shōnen manga magazine, transitions to a shōjo manga magazine. Despite his lack of familiarity with shōjo manga, he anticipates an ideal work environment, only to encounter unexpected challenges.
Toriko Chiya’s Illustrious Career
Toriko Chiya has a prolific career in the manga industry, with “Tokyo Alice” being one of her most prominent works. “Tokyo Alice” began serialization in Kodansha’s Kiss magazine in 2006 and concluded in August 2015, spanning 15 compiled volumes. The romance and slice-of-life josei series, which Kodansha USA Publishing releases in English, also inspired a live-action series adaptation that premiered on Amazon Prime Video in August 2017.
A sequel, “Tokyo Alice girly,” launched in Kiss magazine in August 2017 and ended in August 2020. This sequel focused on Rii Okuzono, the daughter of the original manga’s protagonist, Fū Arisugawa.
Chiya is also known for her “Clover” manga, a romance series that debuted in Shueisha’s Bouquet magazine in 1997 and later received a live-action film adaptation in 2014. A sequel, “Clover trèfle,” began in Shueisha’s Cocohana magazine in June 2012 and concluded in November 2019. These diverse works highlight Chiya’s versatility and enduring presence in the manga world.
