Graphic Novel Biographies | José Rizal

09.05.2019 – There are biographies now as told through a graphic novel that are popular and good reads in other countries. It so happens, the Philippines never get much of that material. But sometime in July 2018 a Japanese author named Takahiro Matsui and illustrator Ryo Konno through publisher TORICO was able to produce ten chapters of what would be the life of Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ National Hero. It was the right timing for the creative team to announce that they have put together the story of the country’s National Hero. It was a first for Jose Rizal’s life to be told through Manga format and the first Graphic Biography from two artists from Japan. Takahiro Matsui is a teacher in Japan teaching Nihongo to Filipino children and it inspired him to write about the book to also teach his pupils living in his country about the roots of the Philippines. He was also inspired by Jose Rizal not only being a nationalist but wanting equality for his country and its people.