Kaiji Kawaguchi

is a Japanese manga artist. He is known for works such as The Silent Service, Zipang, A Spirit of the Sun and Kūbo Ibuki. Generally, his stories involve Japan and examine the moral choices that people make in extreme situations.

Early life and career In elementary school, Kaiji and his younger identical twin brother Kyōji became engrossed in manga. Kyōji took over running the Kawaguchi family business, but was also a manga artist before dying in 2013. Kaiji's daughter Nirako is an illustrator, while his eldest son Kōhei is a Kanze noh actor. In 1968, Kaiji made his professional debut with Yoru ga Aketara in Young Comic at age 21, while still attending Meiji University.

Works Gunka no Hibiki (1975–76), story by Ryō Hanmura Terror no Keifu (1975) Pro: Mahjong-kai no Hikari to Kage (1981–84) Iki ni Kanzu (1983), story by Yūjirō Yoshida Hard & Loose (1983–87), story by Marley Carib Kiba-Ken (1984–85), story by Fumio Azuma Actor (1984–88) (1987–89) The Silent Service (1988–96) Medusa (1990–94) Mosaren Bugi (1991–92) Shisetsu Tantei Akai Kiba (1991), story by Azusa Katsume Gokudou Shippuden: Bakudan (1992) Tantei Hammer (1992) Yellow (1995), story by Shinji Miyazaki Cocoro (1997) Araragi Tokkyu (1997) Eagle (1997–2001) Ruri no kamikaze (1998) Bullet & Beast (1998–99) Confession (1998), story by Nobuyuki Fukumoto Seizon Life (2000), story by Nobuyuki Fukumoto The Battery (2001) Kuroi Taiyō (2001) Zipang (2000–09) A Spirit of the Sun (2002–10) Kousetsu Mahjong Shinsengumi (2006–07) Ginrō ni Kodoku wo Mita (2007), story by Saho Sasazawa Hyōma no Hata (2011–14) Boku wa Beatles (2011–12), story by Tetsuo Fujii Rijin no Fushigi na Yakyū (Jo) (2012) Zipang: Shinsō Kairyū (2012) Burai-hen (2013) Kūbo Ibuki (2014–2019) Kūbo Ibuki Great Game (2019–present)

Accolades He has received the Kodansha Manga Award three times, for Actor in 1987, The Silent Service in 1990, and Zipang in 2002. He has also received the Shogakukan Manga Award twice, for A Spirit of the Sun in 2006 and Kūbo Ibuki in 2018. A Spirit of the Sun also won the 2006 manga award at the Japan Media Arts Festival.