Fujiko A. Fujio’s Manga Legacy: The Dark Humor and Underdog Spirit of Abiko Motoo

The well-known characters from Kaibutsu-kun (at left) and Ninja Hattori-kun. (© Fujiko Studio)

Abiko (Fujiko A. Fujio), at left, and Fujimoto (Fujiko F. Fujio) in an undated photo from the 1960s. (© Jiji)

The titular character Saru from Pro gorufā Saru. (© Fujiko Studio)

Moguro Fukuzō, the “laughing salesman,” and the cover of the first volume of Warau sērusuman in the Shōgakukan Fujiko A. Fujio Digital Selection series. (© Fujiko Studio)