Japanese manga legend Tetsuya Chiba recalls ordeal in Manchuria, roots of 'Ashita no Joe'

On August 15, 1945, manga artist Tetsuya Chiba was in Fengtian, part of Japanese-occupied Manchuria, when Japan announced its surrender in World War II. Chiba, now 87, recounts his harrowing wartime experiences in a recent interview. After the war ended, his family of six returned to Hakata Port in Fukuoka in the summer of 1946 after spending months living in hiding and traveling vast distances.

Chiba, the eldest son, was just 6 years old when the war began. Living with his parents and three younger brothers in employee housing provided by the printing company, they endured years of hardship before returning to Japan. The war years had a profound impact on Chiba, shaping his future career as a manga artist. Stories of war orphans and the struggles of Japanese children during the war influenced his iconic series, Ashita no Joe.

He still cherishes the memory of a Chinese coworker named Jo Shusen, who sheltered his family in the attic during the chaos of the war. Chiba's series often reflect the themes of innocence and resilience seen in Jo's character.