What Kind of Person is Ken Wakui, the Creator of the Anime “Tokyo Revengers”?

The anime “Tokyo Revengers” is described on its official website as “the hottest and most heartrending time-leap suspense.” Its original manga, “Tokyo Revengers,” was serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine starting in 2017 and has surpassed 70 million copies in circulation.

The mastermind who brought this masterpiece to the world is manga artist Ken Wakui. Since he rarely appears in the media and limited information is available, just what kind of person is he? In this article, we introduce Wakui-sensei’s background and works.

What is the popular anime “Tokyo Revengers”?

“Tokyo Revengers” follows the protagonist Takemichi Hanagaki, who repeats time leaps to change the future in which heroine Hinata Tachibana (Hina) dies. Takemichi was an ordinary 26-year-old part-timer working at a rental video store but, after a near-death experience with an oncoming train, awakens the ability to leap back in time to his middle school days 12 years ago.

Back in his middle school years, Takemichi enjoys a good relationship with Hina and resolves to secure a future in which Hina survives 12 years later. Specifically, he comes into contact with the evil organization, “Tokyo Manji Gang,” involved in Hina’s death, and struggles to change it from the inside.

At first glance, it may seem like a delinquent-themed story, but it is actually a solid time leap suspense filled with many mysteries, attracting numerous fans who love to theorize.

Who is Ken Wakui, the creator of the anime “Tokyo Revengers”?

Ken Wakui is a manga artist who publishes his works in manga magazines from Kodansha’s “Magazine” line. Many of his works feature dark themes such as delinquents and the underworld, and “Tokyo Revengers” attracted attention with its novel combination of “delinquent genre” and “time leap.”

He made his manga debut in 2005, with his first work published in “Bessatsu Young Magazine.” From then until 2022, he continued to publish in “Weekly Young Magazine,” “Weekly Shonen Magazine,” and other “Magazine”-related publications.

It was announced that from issue 20 of “Weekly Shonen Jump” (Shueisha), released on April 15, 2024, Wakui-sensei’s new series, “Negai no Astro,” would begin serialization. This is the first time that one of Wakui-sensei’s works will be published in “Weekly Shonen Jump.”

Ken Wakui’s Profile: Career, Age, Hometown, and Twitter?

Wakui-sensei’s debut work was “Shinjuku Host,” which won the Monthly Rookie Manga Award Honorable Mention in the September 2004 issue of “Weekly Young Magazine.” After this work was published in “Bessatsu Young Magazine” in 2005, the same year saw the serialization of “Shinjuku Swan” in “Weekly Young Magazine.” “Shinjuku Swan” went on to be a hit, spanning 38 volumes and running for eight years.

After “Shinjuku Swan,” Wakui continued to publish works in “Weekly Young Magazine,” but in 2015 he shifted to “Weekly Shonen Magazine” to serialize “Desert Eagle.” Then, in 2017, he began serialization of “Tokyo Revengers” in “Weekly Shonen Magazine.”

Though Wakui-sensei has over 15 years of experience as a manga artist, little is known about him personally, and opportunities to discuss his background are rare. His past prior to becoming a manga artist and personal profile remain unknown, and since he does not have a personal Twitter account, his private life is shrouded in mystery. The only exception is the official “Tokyo Revengers” Twitter account, where Wakui sometimes shares work updates, names, and rough sketches, serving as a valuable source of information.

What is Ken Wakui’s gender? Some say “his sensibility feels feminine”

As mentioned above, Wakui-sensei releases little information and has never explicitly stated his gender. Although his pen name sounds masculine, a few people have commented that his sensibility seems feminine.

However, it has actually been confirmed through a blog that Wakui-sensei is male. A photo of Wakui-sensei appeared in martial artist Kozo Takeda’s blog when he made a guest appearance in the drama adaptation of “Shinjuku Swan,” revealing Wakui’s gender.

Other Works Serialized by Ken Wakui, Creator of “Tokyo Revengers”

Besides “Tokyo Revengers,” the following six works have been serialized by Wakui-sensei.

■Serialized Works

●Shinjuku Swan (“Weekly Young Magazine” 2005 Issue 20 – 2013 Issue 45)
A manga set in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho depicting battles among sex industry scouts and the nightlife underworld of Kabukicho.

●Abaddon (“Weekly Young Magazine” 2010 Issue 15 – 2012 Issue 12)
Centers on the world of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and showcases the story of charismatic fighter Takanori Gomi, captivating many fans.

●Sekisei Inko (“Weekly Young Magazine” 2014 Issues 4 & 5 – 2015 Issue 16)
Follows the protagonist Nana Kaneda, a boy who loses his memory. A suspense story as incidents and assassins related to his memory emerge to unravel the mystery of his amnesia.

●Desert Eagle (“Weekly Shonen Magazine” 2015 Combined Issues 36 & 37 – 2016 Issue 25)
Stars Ringo Takamizawa, a man in the ID forgery business. He teams up with Ichigo Washio, a boy who suddenly appears to help him take down the villain who ruined his mother’s life in Shinjuku.

■One-shots 

●Shinjuku Host (“Bessatsu Young Magazine” 2005 Issue 8)

●Kaze Densetsu Bukkomi no Tatsuhiko (“Monthly Young Magazine” April 2011 Issue)

“Shinjuku Swan” – Ken Wakui’s First Serialized and Landmark Work

“Shinjuku Swan” was both Wakui-sensei’s debut and his longest-running representative work. Rapidly gaining popularity after starting serialization in 2005, it was adapted into a drama in 2007 and a live-action film in 2015 even after the manga ended.

Reportedly, Wakui-sensei himself once worked as a scout, integrating real-life experiences throughout the story. While “Shinjuku Swan” is a work of fiction, mixing in real experiences adds an authenticity that can only come from someone who knows that world.

Synopsis of “Shinjuku Swan”

Set in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho, unemployed and broke protagonist Tatsuhiko Shiratori is scouted by the brilliant scout Mako and makes his debut as a rookie scout.

A scout’s job involves approaching girls and introducing them to nightlife jobs. Kabukicho’s underworld is a fierce battleground with many scouts, where money and violence rule.

“Shinjuku Swan” is a survival story in Kabukicho’s scouting underworld, drawn realistically utilizing Wakui-sensei’s background as a former scout.

Ken Wakui, Creator of the Anime “Tokyo Revengers,” is Deeply Committed to His Manga!

When you read “Tokyo Revengers,” both the art and story stand out for their remarkable quality and meticulousness. Those around Wakui-sensei describe him as someone who is highly committed to his work and spares no effort to improve his manga and deliver it to readers.

Among fans, Wakui-sensei is famous for how his drawing style changes. Comparing “Tokyo Revengers” to earlier works, you’ll see his art has evolved significantly. In fact, this change of style is rooted in his dedication to making his manga reach as many readers as possible.

Changing Art Style to Reach Readers! Wakui’s Commitment to Delivering His Work

The main reason Wakui-sensei changed his art style drastically was “the difference in readership between magazines.” According to past interviews, when the publication shifted from the seinen magazine “Weekly Young Magazine” to the shonen magazine “Weekly Shonen Magazine,” he decided to adapt his art style to better suit the readership.

According to his editor Kazuki Tsuchiya, what Wakui-sensei emphasizes most is “delivering his work to as many readers as possible.” Tsuchiya has also shared episodes about Wakui painstakingly redrawing the heroine Hina’s introduction scenes until satisfied, and continuing to subtly adjust his art style even after serialization began.

Prioritizing Expressions! Wakui’s Obsession with Captivating Characters

In interviews, Wakui-sensei also demonstrates a strong commitment to portraying his characters engagingly.

He has discussed his techniques, such as “using background characters skillfully to leave an impression in debut scenes,” “conveying emotion through facial expressions,” and “deliberately averting the characters’ gaze in emotional or tearful scenes.” These methods suggest why his characters are so captivating.

He is particularly strict about the quality of facial expressions, believing that practicing to express every nuance as intended is more important than mere drawing skill.

Summary of Ken Wakui, Creator of the Anime “Tokyo Revengers”

Ken Wakui, the author of “Tokyo Revengers,” the original work for the anime “Tokyo Revengers,” is a popular manga artist with over 15 years of experience. While he continues to create manga themed around the underworld and delinquents, he incorporates originality into each work, offering readers a unique flavor distinct from other titles.

“Tokyo Revengers” introduced the unexpected combination of “delinquent x time leap,” becoming so popular that its catchphrase for the tankobon is “the hottest and most heartrending time-leap manga right now!” The popularity that propelled circulation past 70 million copies can be attributed to Wakui-sensei’s strong commitment to manga. This passion extends to the anime adaptation and is considered a major reason for its massive success. Revisiting the anime while bearing Wakui-sensei’s dedication in mind may let you enjoy the series even more.

(C)和久井健・講談社／アニメ「東京リベンジャーズ」製作委員会