On Friday (19/9), Indonesian comic artist Faza Meonk released his new comic Si Juki x Black Jack: Operation in Kyokarta in collaboration with Tezuka Production. The comic features Faza Meonk’s iconic Si Juki character and the Japanese manga iconic character Black Jack, a character created by Japanese legendary manga artist Osamu Tezuka. For the first time, a character from Indonesia and a character from Japanese manga appear together in one comic, combining Si Juki’s trademark satirical humour with the humanistic themes associated with Black Jack.
The book was officially launched at a special event held at Gramedia Jalma, Jakarta. Published by Elex Media Komputindo (Kompas Gramedia Group), the comic represents more than a cross-border creative effort. It also serves as a form of cultural diplomacy through the comic medium, showing how two characters from different backgrounds can be brought together in a fresh and meaningful narrative.
Faza Meonk expressed his admiration for Osamu Tezuka’s work and legacy, and described the collaboration as a long-cherished dream. “Black Jack is one of the iconic Japanese comic characters I have admired for a long time. To bring Si Juki together with Osamu Tezuka’s masterpiece is both an invaluable experience and a way for me to pay tribute to a pop culture legacy.” Faza Meonk said at the event.
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Osamu Tezuka, widely regarded as the God of Manga, shaped the modern manga industry through classics such as Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, and Black Jack. His works often carry moral reflections, social critique, and humanistic messages. The inclusion of Black Jack in this collaboration lends the story additional weight, elevating it beyond creative novelty into a tribute to a globally recognised cultural legacy.
Tezuka Productions’ representative explained that the collaboration was made possible because of Si Juki’s strong popularity in Indonesia, which could promote the original Black Jack manga in the country. “The main reason for this collaboration is Si Juki’s high reputation and popularity in Indonesia. We hope this project will be well received by Si Juki’s fans and encourage greater interest in Black Jack’s original works.”
The comic took over a year to complete, with Tezuka Productions directly supervising to ensure the authenticity of Black Jack’s character. At the same time, Si Juki’s distinctive style was preserved, resulting in a unique blend of Indonesian satire and Japanese narrative depth.
Si Juki x Black Jack: Operation in Kyokarta is now available in Indonesia, with plans for publication in Japan also under consideration. The collaboration is expected to open the door for future projects between Indonesian and Japanese creators, further raising the profile of Indonesian comics on the international stage.
Iman Santosa, the Director of Applications, Games, Television, and Radio sector at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia (Kemenparekraf), expressed hope that this milestone would inspire other Indonesian creators. “The collaboration between Si Juki and Black Jack marks the beginning of a bridge between two cultures in the world of art, especially comics. We hope it will inspire other Indonesian artists to collaborate with Japanese creators in cultural exchange.” Iman said during the event.
The Indonesian Anime Times | Event report by Aldin Firgiawan
