"I Stand on a Million Lives" is an alternate-world story set in a virtual MMORPG, where summoned players complete assigned tasks. The first season aired in October 2020, with the second scheduled to begin in July 2021. This time, we'll introduce the original authors, Naoki Yamakawa and Akihito Nao, and also introduce their other works!
About the Original Author, Naoki Yamakawa
Born in 1988 in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. He is the original author of the manga "I Stand on a Million Lives," currently serialized in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine. He is also the original author of "My Home Hero," published in Young Magazine. His manga, "Open World/Guerrilla Serfs >> Active," which previously won an honorable mention at the Magazine Grand Prix, is the inspiration for "I Stand on a Million Lives." He also appears to be involved in game development.
About Naoki Yamakawa's Style
Naoki Yamakawa's style is strongly influenced by science fiction, and he skillfully depicts social systems such as politics and religion. Additionally, his crime suspense series "My Home Hero," serialized in Young Magazine, is a character who commits murder to protect his family and then risks his life to cover it up. His writing style is characterized by its clever portrayal of the characters' psychological state.
What works have influenced you?
In a blog post about the Magazine Grand Prix-winning work "Open World: Guerrilla Serfs >> Active," he cited Log Horizon, Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, GANTZ, and Planet of Solitude as examples. Regarding GANTZ and Planet of Solitude, the setting of "I'm Standing on a Million Lives" makes them immediately clear. I feel that they are doing everything they can to make Planet Sadidare a hit.
Introducing Naoki Yamakawa's Representative Works!!
"I Stand on a Million Lives"
Serialized in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine since 2016, 11 volumes have been published so far. To date, over 1.7 million copies have been published. Based on "Open World: Guerrilla Serfs >> Active," which won an honorable mention in the Magazine Grand Prix, the series will be serialized with its own illustrator. An anime adaptation was released in October 2020, with the second season scheduled to air in July 2021. The stories often reflect contemporary social issues, including religious issues, natural disasters such as earthquakes, anti-social organizations and drugs, and black companies.
Synopsis of I Stand on a Million Lives
The protagonist, Yusuke Yotsuya, has struggled to get along with his classmates since transferring from a rural area in Kumamoto to Tokyo. One day, he is suddenly summoned to another world modeled after a virtual MMORPG. Along with his classmates Iu Shindo and Kosue Hakozaki, who played in the game before Yusuke, they complete tasks under the rule that "game over if everyone dies or fails to complete the task." As the number of players increases, they discover that the world they thought was a game is actually another reality.
My Home Hero
This series has been serialized in Young Magazine since 2017, with 13 volumes published to date. It's illustrated by Masashi Asamoto, known for works such as "Psychometer Eiji" and "Kunimitsu no Masa." The story revolves around a man who becomes a murderer to protect his family, whose lives are in danger after they become embroiled in a crime, and plots the perfect crime. While the story primarily revolves around a battle of wits and probing each other's intentions to outwit anti-social forces, from the second chapter onward, religious organizations and other groups become involved. These themes are also explored in "Standing on a Million Lives."
My Home Hero Synopsis
The protagonist, Tetsuo Tosu, is an avid fan of detective novels and mysteries, and enjoys a deep understanding of the murder tricks they ensue. However, he is an ordinary office worker. However, when his daughter, Reika's, boyfriend turns out to be a gangster who has approached him in an attempt to obtain her maternal inheritance, and when the man hints at murdering Reika, Tetsuo impulsively kills him. As the gangsters launch a thorough search for the culprit, Tetsuo risks his life to commit the perfect crime to protect his family.
About Artist Nao Akinori
第10話ご視聴ありがとうございました！！#俺100 pic.twitter.com/peTxSugUex
— 奈央晃徳 ＠画集発売中！ (@naoakinari) December 4, 2020
Born in Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture. He made his debut in 2004 with "Loop Loop," which won the 73rd Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Award. In 2006, he serialized the manga adaptation of "Psycho Busters" in Magazine SPECIAL. In 2011, he serialized "Trinity Seven: The Seven Magicians" in Monthly Dragon Age, which has been adapted into media mixes such as anime and film, and is still being serialized.
Served as an assistant to Masashi Asagami and Tsutomu Kobayashi
He has served as an assistant to Masashi Asagami, the illustrator of "Psychometer Eiji" and "Kunimitsu no Masa," which were serialized in Magazine, and Tsutomu Kobayashi, the illustrator of "School Rumble." Masashi Asamoto's My Home Hero is currently being serialized in Young Magazine, and its original author is Naoki Yamakawa, author of "I Stand on a Million Lives." The original authors of Psychometer Eiji and Kunimitsu no Masa and Psycho Busters are also the same person. (For more information, search for Shin Kibayashi.)
Introducing Nao Akito's Representative Works!
"Psycho Busters"
This is a comic adaptation of the novel by Yuya Aoki, serialized in Magazine SPECIAL, and runs for a total of seven volumes. The story revolves around a group of boys and girls with psychic powers fighting a rival organization. Author Yuya Aoki, a legendary author of Magazine, has worked under various pseudonyms, creating numerous hits such as "The Kindaichi Case Files," "Psychometer Eiji," "GetBackers," and "The Knights of the Area."
Psycho Busters Synopsis
One day, third-year junior high school student Sho Hase is summoned to an abandoned house by Ayano Fujimura, a girl with the ability to astral project. He becomes embroiled in a battle between psychics and an organization known as "The Farm." The battle to stop the Farm's plot escalates into a battle between psychics themselves.
"Count Trouble"
This work was serialized in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine from 2009 until 2012, and has a total of seven volumes. This is the author's second serialized work, and he is the original author himself. The genre is a school romantic comedy.
Count Trouble Synopsis
One day, a self-proclaimed "angel" witch named Sasara arrives at the home of Kouta, a clumsy first-year high school student. It seems she will use her magic to support Kouta's love life. Immediately, Kota is put under a curse: "If you let your heart beat ten times, everything you're thinking will be heard by the whole world." He musters up the courage to approach his beloved Yoshizawa, but...!?
"Trinity Seven: The Seven Magicians"
This work, serialized in Monthly Dragon Age since 2010, is based on the original work by Kenji Saito. As of October 2020, the series has sold over 3.7 million copies. It was adapted into an anime in 2014 and two theatrical films were released in 2017 and 2019.
Trinity Seven: Seven Grimoire Masters Synopsis
17-year-old Arata Kasuga lives with his roommate, Sei Kasuga. However, after noticing the sun appear black and meeting the mysterious beautiful girl Lilith Asami, Arata recalls the collapse of the town he lived in, the fact that the town he now lives in was created by Arata's wish, and that Sei disappeared as a grimoire. Lilith, who has come to investigate the collapse, forces Arata to choose between handing over the grimoire or dying on the spot. After hearing a projection of Sei that she is alive somewhere, Arata makes his third choice: becoming a grimoire master.
[I Stand on a Million Lives Season 2] Author Summary
We've introduced the author and illustrator of "I Stand on a Million Lives"! He is the author of My Home Hero, which is serialized in Young Magazine, and the illustrator of Trinity Seven. Both works are currently popular series! If you're interested, please check it out and you may find some similarities!
