Daiwa Shobo to Release 'Fun with Manga and Illustrated Guides! Understanding Everyday Chemistry' on May 20

Daiwa Shobo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Tetsu Yamato) will release "Fun with Manga and Illustrated Guides! Understanding Everyday Chemistry" (Authored by Uetani Fufu, Supervised by Takeo Samaki) on May 20, 2026.

Learning chemistry changes how you see the world!

Chemistry is everywhere around us!
Why pancakes fluff up, why shrimp and crabs turn red when boiled, why ice floats on water, erasable pens, disposable heating pads, the colors of fireworks, and how disinfection works—everything can be explained by chemistry!

The mission of Flask-kun, who came from space, is to find 100 examples of everyday chemistry on Earth!
Along with Dr. Shinba and his grandchildren, Rika and Ken, they embark on an adventure inside and outside the house to complete the mission!

Features of this Book
- Fun introductions to various everyday chemistry concepts through manga!
- Illustrated guides that categorize everyday chemistry into 50 "Substances" and 50 "Phenomena" for enjoyable learning.
- Manga and illustrated guides are linked, so if you want to know more, you can jump straight to the guide!
- Learn the absolute basics of chemistry through the "Chemistry Basics" sections in the manga.
- Phonetic guides (ruby) on all kanji characters mean children from early elementary school can read it on their own!

Table of Contents
1. What is Chemistry?
2. The Chemistry of Cooking
3. Chemistry Inside the House
4. Chemistry Outside the House
5. Chemistry Illustrated Guide

Author Profiles
Authors: Uetani Fufu (Uetani Husband and Wife)
Born in Nara Prefecture and residing in Kanagawa Prefecture. A unit consisting of a husband, a former researcher at the cosmetics manufacturer Shiseido, and a wife with a non-science background. In addition to creating and selling merchandise for their original character "Beaker-kun and His Friends," they have recently been active as "science illustrators" utilizing their scientific knowledge. Major works include the "Beaker-kun and His Friends" series (Seibundo Shinkosha), "Fun with Manga and Illustrated Guides! Understanding Elements," "Fun with Manga and Illustrated Guides! Understanding Nobel Prizes," "Meter-kun, Kilogram-kun, and Their Unit Friends" (Daiwa Shobo), "Enjoy with Manga! The Laws of Science" (Gijutsu-Hyoron Co., Ltd.), and "The Factory Encyclopedia: The How-It's-Made Discovery Team Goes!" (Kaiseisha). They update information regularly on X (@uetanihuhu).

Supervisor: Takeo Samaki
Born in 1949. Graduated from Chiba University's Faculty of Education. Completed a master's degree at Tokyo Gakugei University Graduate School (Physical Chemistry and Science Education). After 26 years as a middle and high school teacher, he served as a professor at Kyoto Institute of Technology, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Hosei University's Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University's Teacher Training Center, and a lecturer at the University of Tokyo. He is currently a science writer. Major works include "Fascinating Chemistry That Keeps You Awake" (PHP Bunko), "Absolutely Interesting Introduction to Chemistry: World History is Made of Chemistry" (Diamond), "The World Can Be Completely Understood Through Chemistry: Human History, Life, and the Mechanisms of Daily Living" (SB Shinsho), "The History of Chemistry understandable even for Junior High School Students" (Chikuma Shinsho), "Junior High School Science You Can Review in 2 Hours," "Physics You Can Review in 2 Hours" (both by Daiwa Shobo), and "Fake Science in Daily Life" (Heibonsha Shinsho).

Book Overview
Title: Fun with Manga and Illustrated Guides! Understanding Everyday Chemistry
Authors: Uetani Fufu
Supervisor: Takeo Samaki
Release Date: May 20, 2026
Format: A5 size
Pages: 192 pages
Price: 1,870 yen (tax included)
Publisher: Daiwa Shobo Co., Ltd. https://www.daiwashobo.co.jp