Shōnen Ashibe

Shōnen Ashibe (少年アシベ, lit. 'Boy Ashibe') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromi Morishita [ja]. It was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from 1988 to 1994, with its chapters collected in eight tankōbon volumes. It describes the daily life of Ashibe, an elementary school boy, and his family and friends, including his spotted seal pup named Goma-chan.

Shōnen Ashibe
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Ashibe Ashiya and his pet Goma-chan
少年アシベ
Genre	Comedy, slice of life^[1]
Manga
Written by	Hiromi Morishita [ja]
Published by	Shueisha
Imprint	Young Jump Comics
Magazine	Weekly Young Jump
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	1988 – 1994
Volumes	8
Further information Original video animation Directed by Noboru Ishiguro Music by Toshiyuki Arakawa Studio Nippon Animation Released January 21, 1991 – July 27, 1991 Runtime 50 minutes Episodes 6 Anime television series Directed by Susumu Ishizaki Music by Toshiyuki Arakawa Studio Life Work Original network TBS Original run April 11, 1991 – March 27, 1993 Episodes 62 Manga ComaGoma Written by Hiromi Morishita Published by Shueisha Magazine Weekly Young Jump Demographic Seinen Original run October 12, 2000 – March 25, 2004 Volumes 6 Manga Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan Written by Hiromi Morishita Illustrated by Junko Ogino Published by Futabasha Magazine Monthly Action (2016–2017) Manga Town (2017–2018) Demographic Seinen Original run April 1, 2016 – March 5, 2018 Volumes 3 Anime television series Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan Directed by Nobuhiro Kondō Written by Toshimitsu Takeuchi [ja] (S1–S3) Masashi Sogo [ja] (S4) Music by Kenji Kato Hiromi Mizutani [ja] (38–120)^[2] Studio Bridge (S1–S3) Husio Studio (S1 & S2) Studio Palette (S3 & S4) Shin-Ei Animation (S4) Original network NHK Educational TV Original run April 5, 2016 – December 17, 2019 Episodes 120 Manga Seishōnen Ashibe Written by Hiromi Morishita Illustrated by Shōhei Published by Futabasha Magazine Monthly Action Demographic Seinen Original run July 25, 2017 – present Volumes 7 Manga Shō 3 Ashibe QQ Goma-chan Written by Hiromi Morishita Published by Futabasha Magazine Manga Action Demographic Seinen Original run March 17, 2020 – present Volumes 2

It received a six-episode original video animation (OVA) adaptation in 1991, which led to an anime television series adaptation aired on TBS in that same year; a second season aired from 1992 to 1993. A second manga series, titled ComaGoma, which depicted Ashibe as a second grade student, was serialized in Weekly Young Jump from 2000 to 2004, with its chapters collected in six volumes.

A second anime television series adaptation, titled Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan, was broadcast for four seasons on NHK Educational TV from 2016 to 2019. A manga adaptation of Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan, illustrated by Junko Ogino, was published in Futabasha's Monthly Action and Manga Town from 2016 to 2018, and its chapters were collected in three volumes.

Another manga series, titled Seishōnen Ashibe, illustrated by Shōhei, started in Monthly Action in 2017. It depicts an older Ashibe, who has become a freshman in high school. In 2020, Morishita started another manga series, titled Shō 3 Ashibe QQ Goma-chan, which depicts Ashibe as a third grade student.

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Hiromi Morishita [ja], Shōnen Ashibe was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump from 1988 to 1994.^[3] Shueisha collected its chapters in eight tankōbon volumes, released from April 19, 1989,^[4] to March 18, 1994.^[5] Shueisha republished the series in four bunkoban volumes from August 10 to October 18, 2001.^[6][7] Futabasha released two volumes, consisting of selected stories, on April 28 and November 12, 2011,^[8][9] and republished the eight volumes from April 1, 2016,^[10] to March 28, 2017.^[11]

Sequels

A second manga series, titled ComaGoma, was serialized in Weekly Young Jump from October 12, 2000,^[12] to March 25, 2004.^[a] Shueisha collected its chapters in six tankōbon volumes, released from November 20, 2001,^[15] to July 16, 2004.^[16] Futabasha republished the six volumes, under the title ComaGoma Goma-chan (COMAGOMA ゴマちゃん), from June 12, 2017,^[17] to April 12, 2018.^[18]

A third manga series, titled Shō 3 Ashibe QQ Goma-chan (小3アシベ QQゴマちゃん), started in Manga Action on March 17, 2020.^[19][20] Futabasha released the first volume on April 25, 2022.^[21] As of August 9, 2023, two volumes have been released.^[22]

Other series

A manga adaptation of Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan, illustrated by Junko Ogino, was serialized in Futabasha's Manga Action from April 25, 2016,^[23] to February 25, 2017,^[24] and was later transferred to the publisher's Manga Town starting on May 2 of that same year.^[25] Its last chapter was published on March 5, 2018.^[26] Futabasha collected its chapters in three volumes; the first two volumes were published on September 12, 2016,^[27] and January 12, 2017,^[28] respectively, and the third volume was published digitally-only on April 12, 2018.^[29]

Another manga series, titled Seishōnen Ashibe (青少年アシベ), illustrated by Shōhei, started in Manga Action on July 25, 2017.^[30][31] Futabasha released the first volume on April 12, 2018.^[32] As of August 9, 2023, seven volumes have been released.^[33]

Anime

1991–1994 series

A six-episode original video animation (OVA) adaptation, animated by Nippon Animation and distributed by Pony Canyon, was released between January 21 and July 21, 1991.^[34][35] A 37-episode anime television series, animated by Life Work, was broadcast on TBS from April 11 to December 28, 1991.^[36] It was followed by a 25-episode second season broadcast from October 3, 1992, to March 27, 1993.^[37]

Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan

A second anime television series, titled Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan (少年アシベ GO！GO！ゴマちゃん), animated by Bridge and Husio Studio, directed by Nobuhiro Kondo, with series composition by Toshimitsu Takeuchi [ja],^[38][39] was broadcast for 32 episodes on NHK Educational TV from April 5, 2016, to February 21, 2017.^[40][41]

A second season, animated by the same studios of the first season,^[42] was broadcast for 32 episodes from April 4, 2017, to February 13, 2018.^[43][44][45]

A third season, animated by Bridge and Studio Palette,^[46] was broadcast for 32 episodes from April 3, 2018,^[47] to February 26, 2019.^[48]

A fourth season, animated by Shin-Ei Animation and Studio Palette, with series composition by Masashi Sogo [ja],^[49][50] was broadcast for 24 episodes from April 2 to December 17, 2019.^[51][52][53]

Reception

With its anime adaptation, the manga increased in popularity. The manga has sold 20 million copies.^[54]

Notes

1. It finished in the magazine's 17th issue of 2004,^[13] released on March 25 of that same year.^[14]

References

1. 「少年アシベ」約20年ぶりにTVアニメ化！4月からEテレで. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 20, 2016. from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
2. "Peppeppe-san Kiki Ippatsu!" ペッペッペッさん危機一髪! [Peppeppe-san's Close Call!]. Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan. Season 2. Episode 38 (in Japanese). May 16, 2017. NHK Educational TV.
3. 今なお多くのファンに愛され続けている「少年アシベ」から「ゴマちゃん」のぬいぐるみがアミューズメント用景品に初登場 (in Japanese). Banpresto. January 7, 2011. from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via PR Times.
4. . s-book.com (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 30, 2003. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
5. . s-book.com (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 30, 2003. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
6. . s-book.com (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on November 19, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
7. . s-book.com (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on November 19, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
8. 【4月28日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 28, 2011. from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
9. 【11月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 12, 2011. from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
10. 【4月1日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 1, 2016. from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
11. 【3月28日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 28, 2017. from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
12. . Web Young Jump (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 10, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
13. "Coma Goma". Mangapedia [ja]. Voyage Group. from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
14. バックナンバー (2004年). Web Young Jump Official Website (in Japanese). Shueisha. from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
15. (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 13, 2005. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
16. (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 27, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
17. 【6月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 12, 2017. from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
18. 【4月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 12, 2018. from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
19. Mateo, Alex (March 2, 2020). "Hiromi Morishita Launches New Shōnen Ashibe Manga (Update)". Anime News Network. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
20. 森下裕美「少年アシベ」の新シリーズ開幕！アシベやスガオ君が小学3年生に. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 17, 2020. from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
21. アシベももう小学3年生、一方ゴマちゃんは…森下裕美「小3アシベ QQゴマちゃん」1巻. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 25, 2022. from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
22. 【8月9日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 9, 2023. from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
23. アニメ「少年アシベ」のコミカライズが月刊アクションで始動、一挙2話掲載. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 25, 2016. from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
24. 月刊 アクション 2017年4月号 (発売日2017年02月25日). Fujisan.co.jp (in Japanese). Fujisan Magazine Service Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
25. 「少年アシベ」コミカライズ、月刊アクションからまんがタウンにお引っ越し. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 2, 2017. from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
26. 月刊まんがタウン 2018年4月号 (発売日2018年03月05日). Fujisan.co.jp (in Japanese). Fujisan Magazine Service Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
27. 【9月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 12, 2016. from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
28. 【1月12日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 12, 2017. from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
29. 少年アシベ GO！ GO！ ゴマちゃん ： 3 (in Japanese). Futabasha. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
30. Ressler, Karen (June 26, 2017). "New Shonen Ashibe Manga About Main Characters in High School Launches in July". Anime News Network (in Japanese). from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
31. 月刊アクションで「青少年アシベ」がスタート、表紙＆付録は「私の少年」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 25, 2017. from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
32. 高校生になったアシベを森下裕美指名のBL作家・笑平が描く「青少年アシベ」1巻. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 12, 2018. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
33. 【8月9日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 9, 2023. from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
34. 少年アシベ. Suruga-ya. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
35. 少年アシベ6. Suruga-ya. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
36. 少年アシベ. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). National Center for Art Research. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
37. 少年アシベ2. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). National Center for Art Research. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
38. (in Japanese). NHK. Archived from the original on August 1, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
39. Loo, Egan (January 20, 2016). "Shōnen Ashibe Comedy Manga About Baby Seal & Boy Gets New TV Anime". Anime News Network. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
40. 少年アシベ ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「ゴマちゃんがきた！」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
41. 少年アシベ　ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「スガオくんに会いにいこう！」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
42. マンガ原作の2017年春アニメリスト. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 25, 2017. from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
43. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 26, 2017). "Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan Anime Gets 2nd Season Premiering on April 4". Anime News Network. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
44. 少年アシベ ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「帰ってきたゴマちゃん」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
45. 少年アシベ　ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「ごめんねゴマちゃん」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
46. (in Japanese). NHK. February 21, 2018. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
47. 少年アシベ　ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「スーパーアザラシ　ゴマちゃん」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
48. 少年アシベ　ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「みんなの想（おも）い」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
49. "Shonen Ashibe: Go! Go! Goma-chan 4th season". ADK Emotions Inc. from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
50. (in Japanese). NHK. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
51. Pineda, Rafael (March 5, 2019). "Shōnen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan Anime Gets 4th Season in April". Anime News Network. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
52. 少年アシベ ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「ゴマちゃんのおうち」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
53. 少年アシベ　ＧＯ！ＧＯ！ゴマちゃん （天てれアニメ） 「ゴマちゃんのクリスマス　後編」. NHK Chronicle (in Japanese). NHK. from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
54. . Livedoor News (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 1, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.

External links

• Official manga website at Futabasha (in Japanese)
• Shōnen Ashibe Go! Go! Goma-chan official website (in Japanese)
• Shōnen Ashibe (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia