The first manga created entirely by the Midjourney neural network, marking a milestone in Japanese industry history, hit the market on March 9. The author behind the Cyberpunk Momotaro project explained to TASS that drawing skill alone isn’t enough to bring a manga to life. He emphasized that the craft requires much more than technical artistry to truly resonate with readers.
The creator chooses to go by the name Rootport. He argues that a compelling manga depends on the ability to craft a strong, engaging narrative, develop authentic character dialogues, and arrange panels in a way that sustains a cohesive flow from scene to scene.
Rootport also admitted he anticipated heavy participation from other artists eager to collaborate with Midjourney given the tool’s rising popularity. Yet, he noted a surprising reality. In his view, only a small number of works have achieved the level of skill required to be considered true successors to Cyberpunk Momotaro.
In related background, reports earlier pointed to the passing of a notable figure in Japan’s animation scene, Reiji Matsumoto. Matsumoto was the creator of influential works such as Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999, leaving a lasting imprint on science fiction anime.
Fans also know Matsumoto as the author of the Space Pirate Harlock manga and the scriptwriter behind the anime adaptation of the same title. His influence extends across generations of readers and viewers who remember his distinctive approach to space opera and character-driven storytelling (Source: industry retrospectives and official artist profiles).