Series Total 8 Million Copies! A Masterpiece Returns as a Picture Book
Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd. will publish "Papuwa-kun," a new picture book adaptation of Ami Shibata's representative work "Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun," which boasts a cumulative total of 8 million copies in the series, on July 9, 2026. This masterpiece, drawn entirely by the author herself, is aimed at both former fans and new readers.
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Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yuichi Iwano) will publish "Papuwa-kun," a new picture book entirely drawn by author Ami Shibata herself, based on the world of her representative work "Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun" (Square Enix), which boasts a cumulative total of 8 million copies in the series, on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
"Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun," which began serialization in Monthly Shonen Gangan (published by Enix, now Square Enix) in 1991, has captivated many readers with its surreal gags, unique characters, and heartwarming stories of friendship.
This work is a new book in which Ami Shibata, who has also been actively working as a painter in recent years, re-depicts the world of Papuwa-kun in the form of a picture book.
The picture book "Papuwa-kun" depicts the straightforward joy of "becoming friends."
The lively world of Papuwa-kun, Chappy, and the quirky companions of Papuwa Island unfolds with the colors and rhythm unique to picture books.
It is a timeless book that can be enjoyed by those who once read Papuwa-kun and those who are encountering it for the first time.
Background of the birth of the new picture book "Papuwa-kun"
In March 2025, the complete edition "Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun PERFECT" was published by Square Enix. Many fans from the time attended the autograph session held at the launch of its first volume.
Ms. Shibata strongly felt that people who encountered the work during its serialization still cherish Papuwa-kun in their own ways. Some even came with their children.
Witnessing this scene, Ms. Shibata strongly realized that the world of Papuwa-kun continues to live in the hearts of many readers across time.
She wanted to deliver Papuwa-kun, which has long remained in the hearts of readers, in a form that both former readers and children encountering it for the first time could enjoy. This desire became one of the triggers for her to turn to the expression of a "picture book."
Furthermore, Ms. Shibata officially started her activities as a painter in 2021. From 2025, she began serializing newly drawn paintings and essays related to her works in the art magazine "Gekkan Bijutsu" (published by Sun-Art, distributed by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha).
Through this serialization, Ms. Shibata has also been working on expressing her thoughts and the background of her painting creations in her own words. As she spent more time facing both painting and words, her desire for "picture books," which deliver stories through both pictures and words, gradually grew.
Meanwhile, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha has been seriously expanding its picture book business, starting with "Shonen to Kusunoki" (text by Keigo Higashino / illustrations by Rumi Yoshida) released in the spring of 2025, followed by "Ashita wa Ikitai" (text by Kitsune Morino / illustrations by Yuji Hasegawa), "Chui Dokuhon" (Taro Gomi), and others.
The timing of Ms. Shibata's engagement with picture book expression coinciding with our company's efforts in new publishing areas also supported the production of this work.
Thus, in May 2025, the production of the new picture book "Papuwa-kun" began.
"Papuwa-kun" Book Information
Title: Papuwa-kun
Author: Ami Shibata
Publication Date: July 9, 2026
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
Format: A4 modified size
Pages: 32 pages
Special Site: https://www.j-n.co.jp/papuwakun/
Content Introduction:
Series total 8 million copies!! A masterpiece is back!
"Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun" (Square Enix) captivated children all over Japan in the 1990s.
That excitement has been reborn into a new book over time.
Ami Shibata, who is also expanding her activities as a painter, re-depicts the world of Papuwa-kun in the form of a picture book, maintaining its unique worldview.
"From today, you're my friend too!"
Enemies and allies, and strange creatures too.
The lively world of Papuwa Island, where differences are overcome, laughter is shared, and connections are made.
The picture book "Papuwa-kun" depicts the straightforward joy of "becoming friends."
The lively world of Papuwa-kun, Chappy, and the quirky companions of Papuwa Island unfolds with the colors and rhythm unique to picture books.
It is a timeless book that can be enjoyed by those who once read Papuwa-kun and those who are encountering it for the first time.
Author Profile
Ami Shibata
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1967. After graduating from Musashino Art University (formerly Junior College), she worked as an illustrator for an advertising agency. In 1991, she debuted as a manga artist with "Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun" (Square Enix), which was adapted into an anime and recorded a cumulative total of 8 million copies in related series. Subsequently, works such as "Jibaku-kun" (KADOKAWA) and "PAPUWA" (Square Enix) were also animated, and her works were published.
"Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun," which began serialization in Monthly Shonen Gangan (published by Enix, now Square Enix) in 1991, has captivated many readers with its surreal gags, unique characters, and heartwarming stories of friendship.
This work is a new book in which Ami Shibata, who has also been actively working as a painter in recent years, re-depicts the world of Papuwa-kun in the form of a picture book.
The picture book "Papuwa-kun" depicts the straightforward joy of "becoming friends."
The lively world of Papuwa-kun, Chappy, and the quirky companions of Papuwa Island unfolds with the colors and rhythm unique to picture books.
It is a timeless book that can be enjoyed by those who once read Papuwa-kun and those who are encountering it for the first time.
Background of the birth of the new picture book "Papuwa-kun"
In March 2025, the complete edition "Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun PERFECT" was published by Square Enix. Many fans from the time attended the autograph session held at the launch of its first volume.
Ms. Shibata strongly felt that people who encountered the work during its serialization still cherish Papuwa-kun in their own ways. Some even came with their children.
Witnessing this scene, Ms. Shibata strongly realized that the world of Papuwa-kun continues to live in the hearts of many readers across time.
She wanted to deliver Papuwa-kun, which has long remained in the hearts of readers, in a form that both former readers and children encountering it for the first time could enjoy. This desire became one of the triggers for her to turn to the expression of a "picture book."
Furthermore, Ms. Shibata officially started her activities as a painter in 2021. From 2025, she began serializing newly drawn paintings and essays related to her works in the art magazine "Gekkan Bijutsu" (published by Sun-Art, distributed by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha).
Through this serialization, Ms. Shibata has also been working on expressing her thoughts and the background of her painting creations in her own words. As she spent more time facing both painting and words, her desire for "picture books," which deliver stories through both pictures and words, gradually grew.
Meanwhile, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha has been seriously expanding its picture book business, starting with "Shonen to Kusunoki" (text by Keigo Higashino / illustrations by Rumi Yoshida) released in the spring of 2025, followed by "Ashita wa Ikitai" (text by Kitsune Morino / illustrations by Yuji Hasegawa), "Chui Dokuhon" (Taro Gomi), and others.
The timing of Ms. Shibata's engagement with picture book expression coinciding with our company's efforts in new publishing areas also supported the production of this work.
Thus, in May 2025, the production of the new picture book "Papuwa-kun" began.
"Papuwa-kun" Book Information
Title: Papuwa-kun
Author: Ami Shibata
Publication Date: July 9, 2026
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
Format: A4 modified size
Pages: 32 pages
Special Site: https://www.j-n.co.jp/papuwakun/
Content Introduction:
Series total 8 million copies!! A masterpiece is back!
"Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun" (Square Enix) captivated children all over Japan in the 1990s.
That excitement has been reborn into a new book over time.
Ami Shibata, who is also expanding her activities as a painter, re-depicts the world of Papuwa-kun in the form of a picture book, maintaining its unique worldview.
"From today, you're my friend too!"
Enemies and allies, and strange creatures too.
The lively world of Papuwa Island, where differences are overcome, laughter is shared, and connections are made.
The picture book "Papuwa-kun" depicts the straightforward joy of "becoming friends."
The lively world of Papuwa-kun, Chappy, and the quirky companions of Papuwa Island unfolds with the colors and rhythm unique to picture books.
It is a timeless book that can be enjoyed by those who once read Papuwa-kun and those who are encountering it for the first time.
Author Profile
Ami Shibata
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1967. After graduating from Musashino Art University (formerly Junior College), she worked as an illustrator for an advertising agency. In 1991, she debuted as a manga artist with "Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun" (Square Enix), which was adapted into an anime and recorded a cumulative total of 8 million copies in related series. Subsequently, works such as "Jibaku-kun" (KADOKAWA) and "PAPUWA" (Square Enix) were also animated, and her works were published.