18 replies to this topic

[Tio Alexander]

Tamiki Wakaki (若木民喜, Wakaki Tamiki), born on May 9, 1972 in Ikeda, Osaka. He is a Japanese mangaka and graduate of Kyoto University. He is notable for his manga series Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai.

The Life of Tamiki Wakaki

Wakaki Tamiki was born in Osaka, and graduated from Kyoto University. He studied manga and submitted his first one shot in 1993 (at age 21), achieving the 'Shogakukan Comics Award' grand prize. He was at first acclaimed to be 'Rising new figure whose future 10 years are anticipated'.
After receiving some bad reviews from the manga editor of some of his various oneshots though, he left the manga industry due to great shock. After a year, he returned to start anew and started his first assistant job under manga artist Takemura Yuuji.
Even though he gained more experience, Wakaki continued to fail at receiving a serialization. Thereafter, he became a NEET and moved back to his hometown of Osaka. Wakaki returned to Tokyo, 6 years after he received his first award, now at the age of 27 years old. In January 2000, he submitted another new oneshot, 'First Touch' (ファースト タッチ), but he again failed to receive a serialization.
Wakaki continued to submit multiple one-shots after 'First Touch', all failing to get serialized. In 2006, 13 years after his days of hell began, now at age 34, Wakaki was able to serialize a series named Holy Crystal Albatross (聖結晶アルバトロス, Seikesshou Albatross). However, his suffering did not ended.

The content itself was based on one of his old one-shot called Information Thief Group Albatross, which he presented in 2004. The series was serialized for around a year, but ended up getting canceled by the staff because the editors said it was an accidental-serialization. Something that is more saddening is that he was never able to finish the series properly. For instance, the story was something about collecting 5 crystals, but ended with only collecting 2 and suddenly got an axed-ending. Wakaki Tamiki made a blog post to explain all the plot+foreshadows+questions regards to storyline due to his sudden cancel^[1]... And pretty famous incident occur after that: 'I have less than 10,000 yen left in my bank balance'^[2]. He said 'Now my bank balance fell below 10,000 yen. If I don't get any sort of cash by next week, I can't pay any public utility charges, thus I'm going back to the stone-age.' Interstingly enough he state that he had three choices left; 1. Lowering quality 2. debt 3. Canceling preorder of NINJAGAIDEN2. His choice was number 2... He ended his blog with 'it's a world of majors which I longed and longed for, but why is it so painful...' His life changed with the one-shot Koishite!? Kami-sama!! ( 恋して!? 神様!!).

The reception of this one shot wasn't the best. In Internet + otaku communities, it was groundbreaking series for them, but for everyone else, they thought it was complete garbage. Since there was too much spare space in the magazine Shonen Sunday, it just went through into the serialization as the series we know of now: The World God Only Knows.
With the actual series, editing department never liked it at first. However, it gradually got recognition from general readers, not just eroge/galge otakus who were already treating it as a 'Godly Manga'. Finally, Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai hits its 15th volume now, and even received two seasons of anime. He escaped from the endless cycle of NEET, and became one of the most influential mangaka in Shonen Sunday.

Life in his Manga

Wakaki Tamiki's dramatic history is portrayed greatly in Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai

• You find it how the first 4 captures go with the "lightning-speed" pacing. That's all became for he was afraid that this series might get the same treatment as Holy Crystal Albatross, which got canceled and and received a screwed ending due to slow pacing issues. Wakaki Tamiki went with the pacing that long-term serialization work tends to take for Seikesshou. It was the worst kind of approach when mangaka does not have any sort of fanbase to ignore the "slow-pacing during the start" issue. Knowing this failure of his previous work, he had to go faster this time from the start.
• "Keima = Wakaki Tamiki" is largely accepted by everyone who knows his history. All those knowledge of galge is based on his own gaming experience also.
• Keima frequently says 'Reality is garbage/sh*t'. That's what Wakaki Tamiki said all the time in his blog. (...)
• He frequently describes ^[3]that he experienced by 'himself'. Due to his 13 years of NEET life, he experienced how 'ROTTEN REALITY IS' and how he 'DESPERATELY ESCAPED FROM IT' through gaming. After all, he is from Kyoto University, and smart enough to know what's going on.
• He actually played female eroge by himself for the sole reason of drawing Yui Goidō's case.
• He never EVER takes a break. He says 'I'm afraid of taking a break'. He has taken a few, but it is only because of very strict reasons.
• He describes Keima as "A person who insist upon his thoughts, leads the situation as if it is the right thing, but 'A LUNATIC'." (Wakaki knows he was once crazy during his 13 years of NEET.)
• In 8th Volume, he wrote his sad story in the extras.

Brief Timeline of Wakaki's History

Age - Summary

21 - 'Shogakukan Comics Award' Grand Prize, praised to be 'Huge new figure who's future 10 years are anticipated'
22 - Trashed for not being able to adapt to the serialization system + cult material
23 - Not employed
24 - Game
25 - Game
26 - Determination to finally do something
27 - After 6 years, going back to Tokyo for return
28 - Again got criticized for the theme, breakdown
29 - deceived himself with gaming
30 - cannot escape anymore
31 - Finally realize that it is irrevocable
32 - Outcries, 'go to hell this damned world!'
33 - Albatross serialized due to staff's mistake
34 - Albatross canceled due to staff's power
35 - "I checked my bank balance and it was 10,000 yen".
36 - After 10 years of gaming experience, Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai announced, offline treats me as madman, online thinks me as god. There were some sayings in editor department, 'Let's just cancel this since it is annoying'.
37 - 'Shogakukan Comics Award' .... REJECTED.
- various events created some topics, tears for additional printing that he heard for the first time during his career.
- Animation announced, drew chapter to commemorate it.

Manga Works

Series

• Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai(神のみぞ知るセカイ)(2008 issue 19-,Weekly Shōnen Sunday)
• Seikesshou Albatross (聖結晶アルバトロス (Sacred Crystallization Albatross) (2006 issue 1-51,Weekly Shōnen Sunday)

One-shots

• First Touch (ファースト タッチ Faasuto Tacchi) (January 2000, Weekly Shōnen Sunday Tokubetsu Zōkan R)
• Captain Sweetheart (キャプテン スイートハート Kyaputen Suiitohaato) (March 2001,Weekly Shōnen Sunday Chō)
• Coming to Japan! Brazil-kun (来日! ブラジルくん Rainichi! Burajirukun) (February 2002,Weekly Shōnen Sunday Chō)
• Galaxy-style Trial Teacher (銀河式お試し教師 Gingashiki Otameshi Kyoushi) (October 2002,Weekly Shōnen Sunday Chō)
• Information Thief Group Albatross (情報盗団アルバトロス Jouhoutoudan Arubatorosu) (February 2004,Weekly Shōnen Sunday Chō)
• The Scarlet Gem Phantom Thief Albatross (緋石の怪盗アルバトロス Hiseki no Kaitou Arubatorosu) (2004 issue 27,Weekly Shōnen Sunday)
• Mister Sister Gorilla (ミスターシスターゴリラー Misutaa Shisutaa Goriraa) (2007 Golden Week issue,Weekly Shōnen Sunday Chō)
• Koishite!? Kami-sama!! (恋して!? 神様!! Koishite!? Kami-sama!!) (2007 issue 32,Weekly Shōnen Sunday)

Trivia for TWGOK

• Despite having Keima being based on him, a key difference between Wakaki and Keima is that while Keima hates sweets, Wakaki loves them.
• Wakaki was an assistant of TAKEMURA Yuuji (creator of Master of the Seas).
• Wakaki wrote the song Happy End in the TWGOK anime series with lots of references to other galge. He also wrote Dreaming Traveller of an Integrated Circuit.
• In an Omake, Wakaki calls himself a "compelete pessimist ". Since he still have doubts believing that TWGOK had such popularity

Another Trivia

• From Gofuku nursery school, he went to Ikeda Shibuya Middle school, Kitano High School and then Kyoto university
• Loves sweets. His parents forbid him from confectionery when he was a child turn him into confectionery maniac when he becomes adult
• Fan of Takahashi Rumiko, loves Maison Ikkoku so much that he loved Otonashi Kyouko more than his girlfriend in high school that time
• Joined Kyoto Micro Computer Club in college, for a simple reason, the girl sit next to him in freshman tea party also joined the club
• In the past, known as a charisma in ero game world when he managed an adult ero game review site "Eroge Countdown" as PERO (the site has closed for more than 10 years now)
• Loves David Bowie, all Oshii Mamoru's movies, England team (football), First Gundam, Nagai Ken, Mister Itou's Langley (langue de chat biscuit)
• Hates tile joint, humid place, freeze-dried toufu, German team (football), Gundam other than First Gundam, Egawa Tatsuya
• In his first serialization, he put a lot of plot device from the start of the manga, and when the manga got cancelled, it left a lot of unexplained things, so he put the explanations in his blog. From that, in his second serialization he didn't immediately put any obvious plot line and only a vague foreshadowing if any, also if the manga cancelled, he can finish it without left anything behind unexplained
• His twitter account "angelfrench" name is from a Mister Donuts menu

Sources & References

• http://blog.wakakitamiki.coolblog.jp/?eid=382008
• http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/11/08/top-mangaka-manga-is-in-decline/
• http://kaminomi.wikia.com/wiki/Tamiki_Wakaki
• http://www.mangaupdates.com/authors.html?id=2190
• http://vatoto.com/search?artist_name=Wakaki%20Tamiki

Edited by Tio Alexander, 25 August 2012 - 09:58 PM.

[Secros Matias Supreme]

Thanks, very touching article.

Well I guess the lesson to learn here is that even if you failed most your life

You can still succeed by selling your soul... I mean, working hard and having spirit. Aha

Edited by Secros Matias Supreme, 25 August 2012 - 08:40 PM.

[Marumaru]

Thanks for the share

[Devil's Ivy]

Thanks you very much. It's nice to know about the author of this famous manga. I honestly don't understand how Japanese people decide which manga will get serialization and how Japanese readers think about their mangas. I mean there are really good stuffs that got axed because it doesn't sell well. Rushed-endings made me very disappointed.

[NamelessMapler]

All I have to say is nothing. I have nothing to say about this, except that I am amazed and literally impressed by Tamiki Wakaki. He was praised as an up and coming mangaka, except went downhill from his debut. He didn't give up and kept going with the help and motivation from his online supporters. Which actually does wonders for those who do not know. Going online and putting yourself out there is scary, and when you get good feedback, it helps tremendously.
What made me laugh was that Wakaki was a super-gamer and Katsuragi's knowledge of gaming comes from Wakaki who is a 'pro' in that area of gaming. What was funny though, was the choice of the three that Wakaki made. (Choosing debt instead of cancelling his preorder of NINJAGAIDEN 2, lol!)
Anyways, Tamiki Wakaki is a truly amazing man and his story really is inspiring.

Edited by NamelessMapler, 01 September 2012 - 06:46 AM.

[Kirigaya Yui]

Wakaki Tamiki sensei is amazing.

[damienthedevil]

It brought a tear to my eye..... I have more respect for the guy now.... KEEP GOING TAMIKI-SENSEI!!!

[mimamotte]

I've to admit I didn't like TWGOK initially, maybe it gives off an depressing vibes.
And what western people thinks is good may not apply to the Japanese counterpart, thus it is all down to their culture.
Otaku isn't readily accepted in Japan's society even in modern day.

I hope people will start to understand that drawing Manga isn't all that easy and learn to appreciate them.

[sekirei07]

I hate to burst the whole story but its a little off in its premise.
NEET stands for: No Education Experience or Training

He had all of those. He graduated from university and got an education, gained experienced as an assistant, and continued to practice manga all those years. I'm not arguing his background at all. But if anything he wasn't a NEET in any sense of the meaning.

If he was anything he was more like a Mangaka Ronin than anything

[neo1096]

Actually, NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment or Training. You may want to try actually knowing what an acronym means before correcting someone's use of it.

[mimamotte]

@neo1096 is right about the meaning NEET, in Japanese term it's called Hikikomori.

And the standard of education isn't everything, at least in the Manga/Anime industries. Having experiences is the key to success, and Mangaka(s) learn things as they keep on drawing along the way, improving little by little.

@damienthedevil, sorry to say this...but Tamiki isn't his family name, should have say Wakaki sensei instead.

[RaZi3l]

Personally, "lightning-speed" pacing might not be bad (as long as it is within reader limit). In fact, what got me very attached to this manga might had been those "lightning-speed" pacing, I remembered how each week brought me new thrill, just can't get enough of it >.<

Seen many good (or potential) manga ruined because of their "snail-speed" pacing. I'm glad Wakaki sensei noticed how slow pacing can be very dangerous.

[mimamotte]

Fast pacing stories are usually meant for younger readers like Shounen or Shoujo, while "snail-speed" ones are mostly for mature readers. TWGOK is under Comedy tag thus the fast pacing suits it, but not for those Manga with more serious scenarios in my opinion.

Being too fast paced can be dangerous especially for rookies, only veteran Mangaka have the privilege. In this case, Wakaki had amassed enough experiences to do so.

[gundamgundam]

@neo1096 is right about the meaning NEET, in Japanese term it's called Hikikomori.

No, NEET and Hikikomori are two completely different things. A Hikikomori is a "shut-in", and a NEET is. like the term indicates, not having a job, not enrolled in school or work-related training, and not seeking work. The work "NEET" does not have any connotation of being withdraw from social life. In fact, many rich 'Party Animals', are NEETs, since they do not have a job nor seek one, do not study and rely on their parents for money.

Of course, a NEET can be a Hikikomori if she/he is a shut-in, but (as I said before) that's not always the case. Also, even if you are a Hikikomori you might not be a NEET, since some Hikikomori actually work in things like online jobs in order to maintain themselves.

[mimamotte]

Sorry my bad, guess I overly simplified it.

The word "NEET" is coined by the UK government, I'm assuming that not everyone had heard of this term, especially in Japan. Thus the closest word that popped in my mind is "Hikikomori". Although Hikikomori is basically an "shut-in", but there are special cases where they aren't completely confined indoor as @gundamgundam had pointed out.

Since there isn't any term in Japanese used for NEET, I conclude that Hikikomori is best used to describe NEET.
I apologize for generalizing these two as the same, but what do we call those odd ones out, whether it's Hikikomori or NEET? Hybrid? lol

And "Shut-in" for Hikikomori doesn't necessary means confining themselves indoor, I think it's more like shutting the society out and living in their own little world.

For a while now, the topic of this thread seems to stray off in a different direction, hope it returns to normal soon.

[babbo3d]

to long stop reading like TWGOK so i respected him already.

[manga2x]

Such a hard life!
Reality is so cruel.

these two are hurt
33 - Albatross serialized due to staff's mistake
34 - Albatross canceled due to staff's power

[sekirei07]

Actually, NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment or Training. You may want to try actually knowing what an acronym means before correcting someone's use of it.

IC, guess i read it wrong and missed that all important "t". But regardless he wasn't "not" in training, education, employment in all those 13 years. Honestly a aspiring Mangaka could never become successful without constant training and refining of ones craft at the very least in solitude.

Its why I feel that he is more of a Ronin than a NEET because Ronin's are constantly studying in order to succeed where they previously failed at getting into the school they want.

Edited by sekirei07, 12 October 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[MasterFnarg]

To be fair, I don't see what he did as being a NEET, he kept coming back for more despite facing pretty sucky situations just before TWGOK came out. He didn't just fail once, sit on his ass and go "thats the end of that then", he kept trying and he succeeded. His characters, art and story are all good, even the side events are fun. He got what he deserved in the end, well done to him.