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Black Jack Returns with Medical Manga Based on Real Life

This year's 11th issue of Akita Shoten's Weekly Shonen Champion magazine revealed on Thursday that the Black Jack manga will return in the magazine this fall featuring real-life medical stories. The magazine is currently accepting applications of those with personal stories of receiving treatment from medical personnel. Selected stories will be turned into manga form in the new Black Jack, and those whose stories are published will have their names included in the publication.

Applicants must send their application with their name, age, address, occupation, place of employment, address, telephone number, and story of their personal experience with medical personnel by mail to Akita Shoten or by e-mail to bj-entry (at tezuka.co.jp) by April 30. Tezuka Productions will announce the contest's winners on its website and in Weekly Shonen Champion in July. A total amount of 1,000,000 yen (about US$13,000) will be given to the winners, with the grand prize winner receiving 100,000 yen (about US$1,300). Winners will also receive a copy of the magazine publishing their story as well as a copy of their story in compiled book volume form.

The new serialization is a part of a project to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka's original serialization of Black Jack. Black Jack originally ran in Weekly Shonen Champion from 1973-1983. Vertical published the 17th and final volume of the series in North America in December.

Source: Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web