Over 8 Million Copies Sold in Series: Masterpiece 'Papuwa-kun' Becomes a Picture Book. Commemorative Exhibition for Ami Shibata's 'Papuwa-kun' to Tour Nationally, Starting at 'magmabooks' in Toranomon, Tokyo!
Maruzen Junkudo Bookstore will hold a nationwide touring exhibition, starting at 'magmabooks' in Toranomon, Tokyo, to celebrate the release of Ami Shibata's picture book 'Papuwa-kun'. This exhibition commemorates the new picture book adaptation of 'Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun,' a popular series from the 1990s, and aims to convey the charm of the work to a wide range of generations through exhibits, original merchandise sales, and autograph sessions.
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Maruzen Junkudo Bookstore Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) will hold a special exhibition at magmabooks in Toranomon, Tokyo, in conjunction with the release of the picture book 'Papuwa-kun' (written by Ami Shibata), which will be published by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha Co., Ltd. on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
'Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun' (Square Enix), a masterpiece that enthralled children all over Japan in the 1990s and has sold over 8 million copies in the series, is reborn as a new picture book 35 years after its serialization began, bringing back that unforgettable excitement.
Ami Shibata, the author, has been actively working as a painter in recent years, expanding her range of expression. This work retains the unique worldview of the original, but with a gentler narrative, it is a heartfelt piece that is attuned to modern sensibilities.
Highlights of the Exhibition
In addition to selling the picture book, this exhibition will feature displays that allow visitors to enjoy the world of the work and sell original merchandise available only here. Furthermore, this exhibition is scheduled to tour nationwide, starting with the event in Toranomon. Autograph sessions by Ami Shibata are also planned at each venue, making it an enjoyable experience for former fans and children encountering 'Papuwa-kun' for the first time, appealing across generations.
Bibliographic Information
Title: Papuwa-kun
Author: Ami Shibata
Release Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Size: A4変形 (Modified A4)
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
Official Website: https://www.j-n.co.jp/papuwakun/
About the Picture Book 'Papuwa-kun'
Over 8 million copies in the series!! The masterpiece is back!
'Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun' (Square Enix) captivated children all over Japan in the 1990s.
That excitement is reborn as a new book after many years.
Ami Shibata, who has expanded her activities as a painter, will newly depict the world of Papuwa-kun in the form of a picture book, while retaining its unique worldview.
"From today, you are my friend!"
Enemies and allies, and strange creatures too.
The world of Papuwa Island, where differences are overcome, people laugh together, and connect.
The picture book 'Papuwa-kun' depicts the straightforward joy of "making friends."
The lively world of Papuwa-kun, Chappy, and the eccentric friends of Papuwa Island unfolds with colors and rhythm unique to picture books.
It is a cross-generational book that can be enjoyed by those who read Papuwa-kun in the past 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 company. In 1991, she debuted as a manga artist with 'Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun' (Square Enix), which was adapted into an anime, and its related series recorded a cumulative total of 8 million copies. Subsequently, works such as 'Jibaku-kun' (KADOKAWA) and 'PAPUWA' (Square Enix) were also adapted into anime, and the cumulative circulation of her works exceeds 20 million copies. She started her activities as a painter in 2021, presenting art pieces drawn with free ideas and color usage.
Message from the Author
Papuwa, my debut manga work, has leaped into the world of picture books.
The friends of Papuwa Island move freely with vibrant colors.
Please enjoy a lot with Papuwa and his friends.
Outline of 'Papuwa-kun' Picture Book Release Commemorative Exhibition
Exhibition Period: Thursday, July 9, 2026 – Sunday, August 9, 2026
Autograph Session: Saturday, July 18
Venue: magmaspace, 2nd floor, magmabooks
Address: Glasslock, 1-22-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Weekdays/Saturdays 11:00-21:00 / Sundays/Holidays 11:00-20:00
Admission Fee: Free (no reservation required)
Special Website: https://www.maruzenjunkudo.co.jp/pages/papuwakun
magmabooks Official X: https://x.com/magmabook
magmabooks Official Website: https://www.maruzenjunkudo.co.jp/pages/magmabooks
Original Merchandise
Original merchandise using the picture book manuscripts by Ms. Shibata will be available for sale.
We offer a diverse lineup, including signed replicated original drawings with a focus on reproducing the texture of the originals, handkerchiefs and pouches suitable for daily use, stationery, and highly collectible keychains, can badges, and acrylic stands.
*Merchandise information will be sequentially released on the special website within Maruzen Junkudo Bookstore's online store.
*Items are limited in quantity and will be discontinued once sold out.
Nationwide Tour Schedule
This exhibition will tour nationwide as follows:
'Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun' (Square Enix), a masterpiece that enthralled children all over Japan in the 1990s and has sold over 8 million copies in the series, is reborn as a new picture book 35 years after its serialization began, bringing back that unforgettable excitement.
Ami Shibata, the author, has been actively working as a painter in recent years, expanding her range of expression. This work retains the unique worldview of the original, but with a gentler narrative, it is a heartfelt piece that is attuned to modern sensibilities.
Highlights of the Exhibition
In addition to selling the picture book, this exhibition will feature displays that allow visitors to enjoy the world of the work and sell original merchandise available only here. Furthermore, this exhibition is scheduled to tour nationwide, starting with the event in Toranomon. Autograph sessions by Ami Shibata are also planned at each venue, making it an enjoyable experience for former fans and children encountering 'Papuwa-kun' for the first time, appealing across generations.
Bibliographic Information
Title: Papuwa-kun
Author: Ami Shibata
Release Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Size: A4変形 (Modified A4)
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
Official Website: https://www.j-n.co.jp/papuwakun/
About the Picture Book 'Papuwa-kun'
Over 8 million copies in the series!! The masterpiece is back!
'Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun' (Square Enix) captivated children all over Japan in the 1990s.
That excitement is reborn as a new book after many years.
Ami Shibata, who has expanded her activities as a painter, will newly depict the world of Papuwa-kun in the form of a picture book, while retaining its unique worldview.
"From today, you are my friend!"
Enemies and allies, and strange creatures too.
The world of Papuwa Island, where differences are overcome, people laugh together, and connect.
The picture book 'Papuwa-kun' depicts the straightforward joy of "making friends."
The lively world of Papuwa-kun, Chappy, and the eccentric friends of Papuwa Island unfolds with colors and rhythm unique to picture books.
It is a cross-generational book that can be enjoyed by those who read Papuwa-kun in the past 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 company. In 1991, she debuted as a manga artist with 'Nangoku Shonen Papuwa-kun' (Square Enix), which was adapted into an anime, and its related series recorded a cumulative total of 8 million copies. Subsequently, works such as 'Jibaku-kun' (KADOKAWA) and 'PAPUWA' (Square Enix) were also adapted into anime, and the cumulative circulation of her works exceeds 20 million copies. She started her activities as a painter in 2021, presenting art pieces drawn with free ideas and color usage.
Message from the Author
Papuwa, my debut manga work, has leaped into the world of picture books.
The friends of Papuwa Island move freely with vibrant colors.
Please enjoy a lot with Papuwa and his friends.
Outline of 'Papuwa-kun' Picture Book Release Commemorative Exhibition
Exhibition Period: Thursday, July 9, 2026 – Sunday, August 9, 2026
Autograph Session: Saturday, July 18
Venue: magmaspace, 2nd floor, magmabooks
Address: Glasslock, 1-22-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Weekdays/Saturdays 11:00-21:00 / Sundays/Holidays 11:00-20:00
Admission Fee: Free (no reservation required)
Special Website: https://www.maruzenjunkudo.co.jp/pages/papuwakun
magmabooks Official X: https://x.com/magmabook
magmabooks Official Website: https://www.maruzenjunkudo.co.jp/pages/magmabooks
Original Merchandise
Original merchandise using the picture book manuscripts by Ms. Shibata will be available for sale.
We offer a diverse lineup, including signed replicated original drawings with a focus on reproducing the texture of the originals, handkerchiefs and pouches suitable for daily use, stationery, and highly collectible keychains, can badges, and acrylic stands.
*Merchandise information will be sequentially released on the special website within Maruzen Junkudo Bookstore's online store.
*Items are limited in quantity and will be discontinued once sold out.
Nationwide Tour Schedule
This exhibition will tour nationwide as follows: