Comics have indeed invaded the world! From the American pop-art style of Marvel and DC — with the Justice League and The Avengers leading the forefront — to the Eastern black-and-white pages of the Japanese manga — with titles such as One Piece, Detective Conan and more —loyal readers eagerly crave for the very next chapter of their favorite series.

Today, this East Asian illustrative influence has reached the Philippines, due to ever-growing numbers that are deeply interested in Japanese culture — from the plethora of cosplay, anime, video games and idol conventions domestically. There is a serious clamor for more from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Add to the fact there remains a faithful legion of American comic book fans who watch every new superhero film, or attend every comics convention. We have a clear subculture for it.

And as for Japan, which continues to cleverly innovate and discover new ways to utilize under-appreciated mediums, comes a rather novel concept: to create manga panels for anyone who wishes for their products and services to be appreciated by the world.

At the forefront of this thrust is Kabuki Creatives, named after the Japanese theater art combining dramatic performance with traditional dance. The moniker is befitting, as they aim to bring stories to life and to the center stage!

The mother company, the Osaka-based 2020-established EF, CO. LTD, is a digital advertising and marketing venture that specializes in website and landing page development, advertising materials, and corporate video productions.

They have since expanded to our own islands through the groundbreaking Corporate Manga Production project. The work plan is simple: A collaboration with the client and their Philippine and Japanese associates to craft a narrative with its very own major arcs, complete with online banners — all to transform the laudable vision to tangible reality.

“Our business operates through a collaborative process between our Philippine and Japanese teams, ensuring seamless execution of our manga marketing campaigns,” said Ryosuke Iwata, Kabuki Creatives Overseas Operations Lead.

In specific, the entire process hinges upon the marketing team who engages in sales and promotions. Client interaction follows and is put at a premium as they interact with the Philippine staff who angles the creative direction for the local market. Then, they all bring forth their expertise in manga.

Finally, Ideation and Creation is where the entire project is refined for the last step: Production and Implementation, to eventually disseminate the manga through various channels.

“We believe that the fusion of cultures and ideas is where true creativity flourishes. In the case of Kabuki Creatives, blending the traditional Japanese art of Kabuki with the dynamic Filipino market is not just a business strategy but a celebration of diversity and innovation,” declared Tsuguto Yamada, Kabuki Creatives chief executive officer.

For Kabuki Creatives, they believe the art of manga is something to be shared around the globe.

“It’s about finding a common ground between different cultures and utilizing that as a canvas to create something truly unique and impactful. This approach not only produces effective marketing initiatives, but also fosters understanding, appreciation, and connection among diverse communities. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in transcending boundaries and bringing people together,” they said.

¡Enhorabuena, Kabuki Creatives!