Deep Dive into This Year's 'Manga Taisho' Nominees! What Works Does Kicchomu Recommend to Higashino and Yamasato? 'Higashino Yamasato no Input' #61, Airing Sunday, March 29 at 23:00

Episode #61 of the BS Yoshimoto program 'Higashino Yamasato no Input,' featuring Koji Higashino and Ryota Yamasato (Nankai Candies), will air on Sunday, March 29. (Regular broadcasts air on the 3rd and 4th Sunday of every month at 23:00; if there are five Sundays, it airs on the 4th and 5th).

Finally a 'Manga Taisho' Voter!

'Higashino Yamasato no Input' is a program where Higashino, who holds numerous regular shows and serves as the BS Yoshimoto Publicity Director, and the popular Yamasato, MC of the morning information program 'DayDay.', get "input" by having young comedians present popular content or hidden entertainment gems. The theme for #61 is the 'Manga Taisho,' which was also featured last year, with manga-loving comedian Kicchomu Yoshikawa serving as the presenter.

The 'Manga Taisho' is an award established in 2008 where various "manga lovers" selected by the executive committee serve as voters. Past winners include 'Chihayafuru' (Kodansha/2009) and 'Golden Kamuy' (Shueisha/2016). Yoshikawa, whose love for manga led to his appointment as a voter this year, says, "Perhaps it was triggered by Higashino and Yamasato asking last year why I hadn't been selected." Yoshikawa introduces the 12 nominees for 'Manga Taisho 2026' and presents recommendations for Higashino and Yamasato.

What Manga Does He Recommend to Higashino & Yamasato?

First, the recommendation for Higashino is 'Man-o no Ichi' (Shueisha/Original story: Shu Nishi, Art: Shiro Usazaki). Yoshikawa predicts, "An anime adaptation is guaranteed. It might be a global hit." Currently serialized in 'Weekly Shonen Jump,' it is considered one of the magazine's pillars following the conclusion of 'My Hero Academia' and 'Jujutsu Kaisen.' When Yoshikawa explains his reasoning by saying, "Higashino-san, you like works that get anime adaptations, right? You like hits, don't you?", Yamasato chuckles, "That's an embarrassing way to put it..." and Higashino retorts, "Kicchomu-san, are you making fun of me?" drawing laughter.

Next, he recommends 'Dan Mitsu' by Toru Seino (Kodansha) to Yamasato, noting that "as someone married to a celebrity, Yamasato will enjoy it twice as much." Seino, who famously married talent Dan Mitsu, has turned his focus to his most intimate subject after previously drawing the unique residents of Akabane, Tokyo. Yoshikawa passionately argues that this is a subject "only Toru Seino could draw." The story begins with Dan Mitsu proposing to Seino upon their first meeting during a location shoot. The episode is packed with high-impact anecdotes that keep both Higashino and Yamasato thoroughly intrigued. The show continues to dive deep into the nominees, and as in the previous episode, Yoshikawa attempts to exchange LINE contacts at the end, but...

'Higashino Yamasato no Input' airs every Sunday at 23:00 (including rebroadcasts). It is available on the BS Yoshimoto archive page for two weeks from the broadcast date.