An important moment in the history of manga, Kochikame

Today marks an important moment in the history of manga, with the publication of the last chapter of the comedy manga series "Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikoen-mae Hashutsujo", better known as "Kochikame".

Kochikame appeared in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine without any interruption for 40 years, and today's chapter, and the 200th volume, also marks the recognition of this performance as a Guinness World Record. If you read manga (or if you prefer, there's also an anime made after it), try a few chapters, I found it be hilarious and touching at the same time.

And if you travel to Tokyo, you may want to visit the places where the story takes place, in the Katsushika ward. The main characters of the series are working at the police kōban located on the north side of the Kameari railway station.

Ten years ago, at the 30th anniversary, two life-size bronze statues of the main hero, Kankichi Ryotsu (called Ryo-san), were erected nearby, one of them representing him in the police uniform and the other, photographed here, represents him dressed for a matsuri...