#Japan #Osaka #LEGIKA #Katsuhiro Inabata #IK Story

The Journey of Katsuhiro Inabata: A Unique Entrepreneurial Manga

In a remarkable initiative led by LEGIKA, a non-profit organization known for its manga and IP production, the company manga titled IK Story: Young Katsuhiro has been officially published as a book. This project arose from a request by Inabata Industries, located in Osaka, Japan, and has received immense appreciation internally before its formal release on July 1, 2025.

Inaba's Adventure Captured in Manga

IK Story: Young Katsuhiro narrates the journey of Katsuhiro Inabata, who was born in Kyoto during the tumultuous Bakumatsu era. At just 15 years old, he ventured alone to France, later establishing Inabata Industries at the age of 28. This ten-part manga intricately portrays his early years, showcasing his development and the challenges he faced.

To address the need for engaging and memorable content in the company newsletter, LEGIKA collaborated with scriptwriter Yuko Shimada and manga artist Kazuya Ogata, creating a narrative rooted in historical fact but rich in emotional depth. This blend not only conveys the essence of Inabata Industries' origins but also touches readers' hearts amidst a backdrop of significant societal upheaval during the Meiji Restoration.

Positive Reactions Spark a Book Publication

The reception within Inabata Industries has been overwhelmingly positive. Employees have expressed excitement over the creative endeavor, stating comments like, "It’s great that such a serious company is doing something so enjoyable," and "I can share this with my family." The manga resonated with families, prompting fan art from employees' children and increasing readership. Originally serialized one chapter at a time, growing interest led to the decision to publish two chapters simultaneously later on, reflecting the demand for continuous storytelling.

The manga wasn't confined to the internal newsletter; it was also made available online through a special webpage dedicated to the project. This initiative was hailed by the recruitment department as an effective means to enhance corporate understanding. Interestingly, individual investors have even shared on social media that reading the manga made them reluctant to sell their stocks, highlighting the project’s impact on branding the company positively.

The favorable response catalyzed the decision to compile the entire series into a cherished edition, ensuring that it could be enjoyed in a more cohesive format.

Commentary from Inabata Industries

Mikiki Hashimoto from Inabata Industries commented on the motivation behind the cherished edition, emphasizing the request from both internal and external audiences to compile the six separate pamphlets into a compact format. Initially, there were reservations regarding the inclusion of manga in the company newsletter; however, leveraging the universal language of manga to convey the company's founding story proved beneficial. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable, with requests for an English version coming from overseas.

Despite the challenges in realizing this entrepreneurial manga, the collaboration with LEGIKA has been immensely rewarding. Their dedication and support were vital in overcoming hurdles to bring this vision to life.

Overview of IK Story Publication

• - Title: IK Story: Young Katsuhiro
• - Chapters: 10
• - Publisher: Inabata Industries
• - Editor: LEGIKA
• - Script: Yuko Shimada
• - Illustrations: Kazuya Ogata
• - Website: IK Story Manga Site

About LEGIKA

Founded in October 2009, LEGIKA has become an instrumental player in high-quality manga production through their studio since August 2019. They collaborate with various enterprises to produce corporate manga, educational content, and solutions addressing societal issues, with notable clients including Deloitte and NHK. Visit LEGIKA for more on their projects and services.

This unique approach to storytelling not only serves as an engaging corporate tool but also showcases how connecting personal narratives can enhance company culture and inspire stakeholders.