Immediate Major Reprint Decided Upon Release! The Manga Adaptation of "Red and Blue Gown Vol. 1" (Original Work: Princess Akiko of Mikasa / Manga: Aoi Ikebe) is Now the Talk of the Town!

Based on the popular essay "Red and Blue Gown" (PHP Bunko) by Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, which has surpassed 430,000 copies in total, the manga adaptation "Manga Red and Blue Gown"—currently enjoying a successful serialization in "Shosetsu Shincho" and drawn in a new light by manga artist Aoi Ikebe—was released by Shinchosha on March 25. Due to the immediate buzz following its release, a reprint has been decided!

A Dream Tag-Team: A Smash-Hit Study Abroad Memoir x A Master of the Manga World!!

Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa was the first female member of the Imperial Family to earn a doctoral degree overseas.

The comfort and loneliness of walking the streets alone, the days spent chasing deadlines for her thesis, and the friends who supported her—her painful yet brilliant youth in the UK is brought to life through the delicate touch of Aoi Ikebe, known for "Branch Line"! The Princess's life as a student and her inner conflicts are beautifully expressed, further highlighting the charm of the original work.

At the start of the serialization, the original author, Princess Akiko, commented: "I was thrilled, thinking, 'So this is what it means to breathe life into something.'" The book also includes a special essay by the Princess.

[Click here for details on "Manga Red and Blue Gown"]

■ Read a Preview of "Manga Red and Blue Gown Vol. 1" (Original: Princess Akiko / Manga: Aoi Ikebe)

The first chapter is currently available for free on the website "Kurage Bunch"! Please take a look.

[Read Chapter 1 of "Manga Red and Blue Gown"]

■ Talk Event with Princess Akiko and Kaori Miyake Announced!

The smash-hit study abroad memoir with over 430,000 copies sold is finally a comic. To commemorate the release of "Manga Red and Blue Gown Vol. 1," the original author, Princess Akiko, and popular literary critic Kaori Miyake, who is also a fan of the original work, held a special conversation. There are even behind-the-scenes stories that can only be heard here! Streaming tickets are now on sale.

**[Event Details]** Date and Time: March 25, 2026 (Wed) 14:00–15:10 [Streaming tickets now on sale!] Speakers: Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Kaori Miyake Fees: ○ Online viewing ticket: 1,100 yen (tax included) ○ Online viewing ticket with book: 2,310 yen (tax included) Venue: Junkudo Bookstore Ikebukuro Main Store, 9th Floor Event Space (2-15-5 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo)

[Click here for event details and registration]

### ■ Speaker Introductions **○ Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa** Born in 1981 as the first daughter of the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa. During and after her time at Gakushuin University, she studied at Merton College, University of Oxford, in the UK, becoming the first female member of the Imperial Family to earn a doctoral degree (majoring in Japanese Art). She serves as a specially appointed professor at the Kyoto Sangyo University Institute of Japanese Culture and president of the general incorporated association Shinyusha. Her books include "Red and Blue Gown: Oxford Study Abroad Memoir," "Bitten in the Belly by a Pet Dog" (PHP Institute), "Kyoto: The Path of Stories" (Mainichi Shimbun Publishing), "The Heart of Japanese Beauty: Forms of Prayer" (Shogakukan), and "Japanese Culture: A Journey of Detours" (Fusosha).

**○ Kaori Miyake** Born in Kochi Prefecture in 1994. Literary critic. Part-time lecturer at Kyoto City University of Arts. Withdrew from the doctoral program at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies. Active in a wide range of fields, mainly literary criticism and social commentary. Author of numerous books including "Why Do You Stop Reading Books When You Start Working?", "Techniques for Verbalizing 'Likes'", "What and How Do 'Interesting People' Read?", "Young People Who Think", and "The Secret of Writing Style: Why Do We End Up Reading That Person's Writing?"

### ■ Book Introduction "I was thrilled, thinking, 'So this is what it means to breathe life into something'" (Princess Akiko). Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa was the first female member of the Imperial Family to earn a doctoral degree overseas. The comfort and loneliness of walking the streets alone, the days spent chasing deadlines for her thesis, and the friends who supported her—her painful yet brilliant youth in the UK is brought to life through the delicate touch of Aoi Ikebe, known for "Branch Line." Includes a special essay by the Princess.

### ■ Author Introductions **[Original Work] Princess Akiko of Mikasa** Born in 1981 as the first daughter of the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa. During and after her time at Gakushuin University, she studied at Merton College, University of Oxford, in the UK, becoming the first female member of the Imperial Family to earn a doctoral degree (majoring in Japanese Art). She serves as a specially appointed professor at the Kyoto Sangyo University Institute of Japanese Culture and president of the general incorporated association Shinyusha. Her books include "Red and Blue Gown: Oxford Study Abroad Memoir," "Bitten in the Belly by a Pet Dog" (PHP Institute), "Kyoto: The Path of Stories" (Mainichi Shimbun Publishing), "The Heart of Japanese Beauty: Forms of Prayer" (Shogakukan), and "Japanese Culture: A Journey of Detours" (Fusosha).

**[Manga] Aoi Ikebe** Debuted in 2009. In the same year, began serialization of "The Tailor" (Kodansha) (later adapted into a film). In 2014, won the Newcomer Award in the Manga Division at the 18th Japan Media Arts Festival for "Dobugawa" (Akita Shoten). In the same year, began serialization of "Princess Maison" (Shogakukan). In 2018, won the Grand Prize in the Manga Division at the 22nd Japan Media Arts Festival for "Hey, Mom" (Akita Shoten). Other representative works include "Kagome Kagome" (Akita Shoten) and "Weeds, Have Ambition" (Shodensha). Currently serializing "Branch Line" in "FEEL YOUNG" (Shodensha), and began the manga version of "Red and Blue Gown" in Shosetsu Shincho in December 2024 and in Kurage Bunch in January 2025.

### ■ Book Data [Title] Manga Red and Blue Gown Vol. 1 [Author] Original: Princess Akiko / Manga: Aoi Ikebe [Release Date] March 25, 2026 [Format] A5 size (144 pages) [Price] 1,540 yen (tax included) [ISBN] 978-4-10-356971-8 [URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/356971/