Shueisha's Young Jump magazine
combined issue 36-37 has confirmed that screenwriter Kazuya Konomoto,
known for his work on ODDTAXI, will release a new manga
titled Kami Kill on August 21 (Japan
local time). The work will feature illustrations by Ryō Yamazaki and
will be published in the next issue of the magazine.
The
title Kami Kill is a pun on the Japanese term "kami
kiru," which means "cutting hair," and the story will revolve
around two brothers who run a barbershop in a decaying
shopping district. As they wait for their father's return, they struggle
to revive the neighborhood and keep the family business afloat. The
premise suggests an emotional narrative with tinges of drama and reflection on
family ties and resilience.
A
versatile author who leaves his mark on the industry
Konomoto
achieved great recognition after writing the original anime ODDTAXI, in
collaboration with director Baku Kinoshita. The series, which aired
in April 2021, consisted of 13 episodes and was acclaimed for its complex
storyline and intriguing characters. It was also adapted into a film format
with Odd Taxi: In the Woods, a narrative reconstruction that added
scenes later than the end of the original series. Both productions are
available on Crunchyroll.
In
addition, Konomoto co-wrote the spin-off manga RoOT/Route of Odd
Taxi alongside artist Takeichi Abaraya, published
between February 2023 and April 2024 on Big Comic Superior's Darupana site.
This work gave rise to a live-action series that premiered in April 2024, also
available on Crunchyroll.
Beyond
the manga: Konomoto triumphs in cinema
The
screenwriter has also ventured into animated films with the film The
Last Blossom (Housenka), which was selected to compete in the
feature film category of this year's Annecy International Animated Film
Festival. The film had already had a preview screening as part of the
festival's "Work in Progress" section in 2024, and is scheduled
to be released in Japanese theaters on October 10 (local time in
Japan).
With Kami
Kill, Konomoto continues to demonstrate his ability to approach human
stories from unconventional angles, cementing his place as one of the most
original voices in the Japanese storytelling landscape today.
