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Home > About the Coamix > Interview with Nobuhiko Horie, President and CEO of Coamix Co., Ltd. (March 2020, 3)
Interview

Coamix Inc.
President
Interview with Nobuhiko Horie
(December 2020, 3)

Nobuhiko Horie

  • Born in Kumamoto City in 1955.After graduating from Waseda University Faculty of Law, joined Shueisha in 79. As an editor of "Weekly Shonen Jump", he has produced many popular works such as "Fist of the North Star" and "City Hunter" with Tetsuo Hara and Tsukasa Hojo. After becoming the fifth editor-in-chief of the magazine in 93, he established the highest number of copies in history, at 5 million. After leaving the company in 653, he established Coamix Co., Ltd. with Tetsuo Hara, Tsukasa Hojo, Ryuji Tsugihara and others, and launched "Weekly Comic Bunch". Served as editor-in-chief until 2000.In the same year, North Stars Pictures Co., Ltd. was established for the purpose of content management (merged with Coamix in April 04). 20 Opened "Cafe Zenon" in Kichijoji. In 4, "Monthly Comic Zenon" was launched. Served as editor-in-chief until 09. Established Jizoya Co., Ltd. in 10.Also active as an original author under the pseudonym of Nobuhiko Horie.

COAMIX代表取締役社長 堀江信彦インタビュー Vol.2

Nobuhiko Horie

  • Born in Kumamoto City in 1955.After graduating from Waseda University Faculty of Law, joined Shueisha in 79. As an editor of "Weekly Shonen Jump", he has produced many popular works such as "Fist of the North Star" and "City Hunter" with Tetsuo Hara and Tsukasa Hojo. After becoming the fifth editor-in-chief of the magazine in 93, he established the highest number of copies in history, at 5 million. After leaving the company in 653, he established Coamix Co., Ltd. with Tetsuo Hara, Tsukasa Hojo, Ryuji Tsugihara and others, and launched "Weekly Comic Bunch". Served as editor-in-chief until 2000.In the same year, North Stars Pictures Co., Ltd. was established for the purpose of content management (merged with Coamix in April 04). 20 Opened "Cafe Zenon" in Kichijoji. In 4, "Monthly Comic Zenon" was launched. Served as editor-in-chief until 09. Established Jizoya Co., Ltd. in 10.Also active as an original author under the pseudonym of Nobuhiko Horie.
COAMIX代表取締役社長 堀江信彦インタビュー

Future role of Coamix

How do you feel about the current situation surrounding the manga business?
Horie:
Advances in AI and IT technology have brought about major changes not only in publishing and distribution, but also in the way each manga artist works.
We feel that if we continue to take the same attitude and view things as before, we will be in a big tide in an era when the manga business will not be able to stand.
Where do you feel the specific changes?
Horie:
The number of MANGAKA living in rural areas is increasing.More than half of the manga artists who currently write for Coamix media are based outside of Tokyo.Their assistants also support MANGAKA remotely via the Internet, rather than working in the MANGAKA's office.This was previously unthinkable.
In addition, it can be said that the development of a platform that allows aspiring manga artists to freely publish and buy and sell works on the WEB without bringing them to publishers is a major change in recent years.

代表取締役社長 堀江信彦

Is there anything Coamix is ​​aware of during these transitions?
Horie:
We are creating a system that allows you to carry out activities as a manga artist anywhere in Japan, regardless of Tokyo, where publishers and editorial departments are gathered.This is because I want to become a publisher that is more reliable than ever from a manga artist.
As part of the creation of the system, in 2018, we opened the “Coamix Manga Lab” in Kumamoto to support the debut of manga artists.This lab and the editorial department in Tokyo are always connected on a large screen that is broadcast simultaneously, so you can talk at any time.A manga artist living in Kyushu can now show his work to an editor in Tokyo and consult with him.
In addition, in Takamori Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, "Kumamoto International Manga CAMP" will start in 2018.We have talents from all over the world gather and give lessons to help develop them.Currently, we are preparing a facility in the town where we can stay for a long time and concentrate on our creations.
Is there anything else you are aware of as a manga publisher?
Horie:
Publishers have the ability to discern the timeliness of the time and the objective value of the work, and that role is indispensable for producing hit works.
In my 40 years as an editor, I have seen many masterpieces produced in collaboration with manga artists and editors.It is a rare case that one person draws a work within the range of his ability and knowledge and makes it a hit.The world is full of interesting works.However, it is not always a work that sells.The existence of editors and publishers who work with manga artists to sell well will continue to be indispensable.

代表取締役社長 堀江信彦

I understand that the existence of editors and publishers is huge.Is there any change in what is required of editors?
Horie:
I have.Editors of the future will be required to have a global perspective that can respond to the diversification and widening of the market, and a background in merchandising more than ever.

I heard that the business will be reorganized in 20, which marks the 2020th anniversary of the company's founding.
Horie:
Under the previous system, North Stars Pictures has been in charge of the copyright business, and Coamix has been in charge of the production function of sending works and contents to the world.However, we will consolidate copyright business functions into Coamix by integrating North Stars Pictures.
By increasing mobility through this, we will establish a system that makes it easy to accept proposals from companies and manga artists in various industries.It is also a manifestation of the desire to strengthen ties with various future partners, regardless of organization or individual.
Why do you want to strengthen your ties?
Horie:
We want to be a company that pursues dreams together with our business partners, and we want to be an organization that seizes opportunities together.The copyright business derived from manga works has a certain form such as animation and toys.However, on the other hand, I would like to explore a form that goes beyond the existing framework and explore ways to utilize it in a way that suits the times with people from various genres.
What are the benefits for businesses and MANGAKA?
Horie:
If you are a company, you can start to get more consumers interested by using our characters and world view.In other words, we believe that we can provide dimple-like friendliness that will trigger an interest in the product.I think it's difficult to convey the characteristics of the developed products and technologies simply by explaining them logically.
And I would like to return the profits generated from such things to manga artists and lead to the maintenance and development of manga culture.
Finally, please tell us about the future of Coamix.
Horie:
What I often tell my employees is the idea of ​​"working hard".There are so many excellent people in the world.In order to stand out among them, it is necessary to make steady efforts to make one more knack.
There is an unforgettable story I heard from a hit maker MANGAKA when I was young.It is a story that producing a hit is similar to the act of diving in the sea.When I dive into the sea, I can't breathe and it becomes painful.Manga artists also suffer if there are no hits.In such a case, I will endure a little more and continue.Then, it was said that there was a big chance there.Even if other people get suffocated and stop halfway through, I will do my best.I still think that may be important for success.
Coamix, which celebrated its 20th anniversary, will continue to work diligently in the next 20 years, with an eye on being an entity that will bring innovation to the world of manga and creating new things that meet the needs of the times. thinking about.

(Recorded on March 2020, 3)
* Information is as of the time of recording.