Manga Mein Kampf Sweeps Japan

Comic adaptation brings Hitler's manifesto to Japanese audience
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 1, 2009 2:36 AM CDT
Manga Mein Kampf Sweeps Japan
A page from the manga version of "Mein Kampf."   (East Press)

A cartoon version of Hitler's Nazi manifesto and early autobiography has been a hit in Japan since its launch late last year. The manga-style Mein Kampf is the biggest seller in the publisher's "learn with manga" series of adaptations of historical classics and political tracts. It has sold 45,000 copies, compared with 35,000 for Karl Marx's Das Kapital and many others.

The manga's success has reignited debate in Germany on whether the state of Bavaria, which holds the copyright to Mein Kampf, should stop refusing publishers permission to reprint it , reports the Telegraph. The Japanese publishers say their version isn't covered by copyright protection, and stress that their aim is to give readers an insight into Hitler's twisted way of thinking instead of glorifying his ideology.
(More Mein Kampf stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X