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. The show, which airs regularly on the 3rd and 4th Sundays of each month at 23:00, features the hosts receiving 'input' on popular content and hidden entertainment gems presented by young comedians. The theme for #61 is the 'Manga Taisho' (Manga Grand Prize), with manga-loving comedian Kicchomu Yoshikawa serving as the presenter.

The Manga Taisho, established in 2008, is selected by a committee of manga enthusiasts. Past winners include 'Chihayafuru' and 'Golden Kamuy.' Yoshikawa, who was appointed as a selector this year due to his passion for the medium, suggests that the hosts' previous comments about why he hadn't been chosen yet might have played a role. He presents the 12 nominees for the 'Manga Taisho 2026' and recommends specific titles to Higashino and Yamasato.

For Higashino, Yoshikawa recommends 'Manan no Ichi' (Shueisha), predicting it will be a global hit and receive an anime adaptation. He notes it is a pillar of 'Weekly Shonen Jump,' following in the footsteps of 'My Hero Academia' and 'Jujutsu Kaisen.' When Yoshikawa suggests that Higashino likes works that are destined to be hits, the hosts jokingly react to the playful jab.

For Yamasato, Yoshikawa recommends Toru Seino's 'Dan Mitsu' (Kodansha), noting that as a man married to a celebrity, Yamasato will enjoy it twice as much. The manga depicts the author's marriage to the TV personality Dan Mitsu, filled with high-impact episodes that pique the interest of both hosts. The episode concludes with Yoshikawa once again attempting to exchange LINE contact information with the hosts.