Kacho Shima Kosaku

STORY

This is an outstanding businessman focused cartoon.
A baby-boomer businessman, Kosaku Shima, successfully runs up the promotion road with his sense of justice and capability while being involved into Hatsushiba’s factional struggles.
In Hatsushiba, three senior managing directors are scrambling for getting the next vice president post.
Promoted to a department chief when he is 33 years old, Kosaku is working as a subordinate officer under Usami, one of the managing directors.
On the other hand, Kosaku is also liked by Oizumi, the other candidate and the chairman’s son-in-low, and is ordered to observe his mistress, a night club hostess.
Later, the chairman Yoshihara passes away.
Usami group catches the information early and takes insider trade using Kosaku.
Then, Kosaku notices that he was used by Usami without recognizing.
He regrets it, denies kickback, and refuses to be a member of Usami group.
As a result, Kosaku is sentenced to be fired.
Kosaku, however, help Oizumi promote to be the vice president, and plots to retract the dismissal by helping Oizumi.

(Kenshi Hirokane/1983-1992/17 books/Kodansha)

COMMENT by Shun

Kosaku Shima is the most famous business man in Japan, in terms of cartoon popularity.
While you have fun reading Kosaku’s promotion and growth in this cartoon, it also has another aspect; that is as basic business skilled teaching.
Because the contents are linked with the real world in a way, lots of current affairs are included such as acquisition of foreign company by Japanese company in 1980’s, and currently buy-in of Japanese land by Chinese.
I am the one, who have learned all the important things by comics, and for my case, especially Kosaku Shima did me so.
Talking about Kosaku, we can’t forget his popularity among women.
He is smart and gentle, and has a sense of justice.
Yes, he is a mack daddy!
Often such women, who encounter him and become in love, appear as a key person for progressing work, and help Kosaku again and again.
Such piquant stories also make this cartoon more fun!

As a bonus, let me tell you this.
Without noticing, I race past Katsuo (Sazaesan’s family), the same age of elementary school, and aged more than Masuo who were used to be much older than me once…
Kosaku, however, ages with you always!

Shun's Score 8