“Kingdom,” a manga series, recently exceeded 100 million copies sold. It marked the first time in the history of Shueisha, one of Japan’s three major publishers, that a youth comic magazine achieved this milestone. Japanese manga and anime exhibit diverse worldviews, encompassing everything from fantasy and science fiction to realistic portrayals of everyday life. Because of the diversity of characters, it is easy for readers and viewers to empathize with someone and project their feelings onto them. Another reason for their popularity may be the prevalence of works that cater to adult needs, addressing themes such as history and social issues. One of the reasons behind this phenomenon might be the diverse expansion of content that originated from manga , extending into various forms such as anime , games, movies, and stage performances. Manga , which originated as a two-dimensional form, has evolved into live-action adaptations, three-dimensional stage productions, as well as films. Furthermore, it is currently expanding into the metaverse (virtual space). With its associated development methods, it will increasingly solidify its position as a major form of entertainment that can be enjoyed globally. (From December issue, 2023 / 2023年12月号より)