A newsletter I acquired from the estate of a late manga artist who's family I helped in the act of archiving their work and part of their collection. I was allowed to keep this one while they underwent cleaning - this particular one is a newsletter from the mangaka Masako Sone as well as the IVA F.C.
Many people didn't elaborate or refused to when I asked questions about the activities of this particular group, however, this appears to be volume 1 of an issue of newsletters from the circle. As a circle, IVA seemed to organize meet ups with otaku and mangaka of their day with the Kawasaki City Plaza Committee and some additional context clues can be found from the actual source information. There is a variety of random bits inside, such as a jidaigeki (samurai drama) style script between the organizers. Its humor of a particular age.
Most clues can be garnered about the circle from their lists of important events and announcements like so:
15. Speaking of Anime Cluster No. 28, please look at the cover of Cluster! You’ll see a lot of drawings on the left side. Originally, it was drawn to be 15 cm smaller on the left, but the main illustration was done by Honbara-san. There are still a few leftover drawings underneath. Yamashita-san’s line, “Look at the children,” and “pofupofu” were cut off — that’s how it ended up.
16. Speaking of Cluster, the next issue for children was titled Cluster Light and Gentle School Adventure. Minamida-san said, “This looks like it could get serialized!” Though realistically, serialization is probably impossible. After all, Minamida-san is quite busy.
17. On that note, there’s word that Minamida-san might appear on “FM Tokyo”! (Although we don’t have the exact details yet — maybe it’s some kind of radio broadcast.) It’s said that during the Classic Salon special program airing February 11, he’ll appear alongside Tsuchiya-san! Let’s all tune in — Minamida-san’s voice is sure to be charming.
18. The “Staff Research Recruitment” that was announced in OVA American Talk has received over 100 applicants! We’re so happy. We, the IVA staff, are truly looking forward to welcoming new help.
19. There isn’t much information this time, sorry about that. Please take care!
20. Next issue, we’re planning to publish a list of current IVA.F.C. members and related updates.
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You can reach me @retroanimechris on X/Twitter/Bluesky and adoggoart@gmail.com or chrisdelabigne@gmail.com
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Nanimēju 1983, Issue No. 1 (Winter, No. 20) Published on January 22, 1983 Edited and Published by: IVA (〒197 Tokyo, Fussa-shi, Kumagawa Higashi-machi 750-40-3-202) F. — Produced using everyone’s membership fees. Distributed in parts.