Interest
Patlabor's Freebie Kiichi Gotō Calendar Makes Magazine Sell Out
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
The November issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Big Comic Spirits magazine went on sale in Japan on Tuesday, but it's already sold out in many stores and online. The boost in sales is due to the issue's bundled, exclusive calendar of Patlabor's Captain Kiichi Gotō.
Many magazines in Japan offer similar free bonuses to encourage people to purchase the magazine, but few items become as much of a marketing success as this calendar. The Maishū Gotō Kiichi (Weekly Kiichi Gotō) calendar features famous lines and scenes with the "ideal boss" from Masami Yuuki's Mobile Police Patlabor manga. The calendar starts with October 2016 and ends with September 2017.
The front cover of the magazine's issue also features a collaborative illustration with characters from Yuuki's Mobile Police Patlabor and Disu x Komi (Dis x Communication) manga series.
Although the November issue just went on sale, it is already sold out at many retailers in Japan, including publisher Shogakukan's official mail order service. On Amazon, sellers' current lowest asking price is 2,700 yen (about US$27). The retail price of the issue is 680 yen (US$6.73).
Selling magazines may not have been this laid back character's goal, but he is definitely doing a good job. Good luck, Captain!
Source: Comic Natalie via Nijimen
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history