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    GVN Talking Comics Exclusive Preview: First Look At Yudori’s ‘Lovers of the Empire’

    A young man in a uniform holds books while a young woman stands beside him, making a shushing gesture, with historic buildings and a pastel sunset in the background.

    Fantagraphics is stepping boldly into a new era with Takumigraphics, an imprint dedicated to showcasing standout East Asian creators. And its very first publication sets the tone. With Lovers of the Empire, acclaimed artist Yudori delivers a sweeping, emotionally charged manga that blends historical intrigue with her unmistakably elegant visual storytelling. Today, we’re thrilled to present this exclusive 4-page preview of this landmark debut and explore how Yudori is helping define the identity of Takumigraphics from day one.

    A young man in a military uniform and a young woman in a blouse and skirt stand together; she holds a finger to her lips. The book cover reads “Lovers of the Empire Vol 1” by Yudori. A comic page shows a father rejecting modern things, throwing a ball to a dog, and a child recalling that his father was beaten to death by a Japanese officer after getting drunk and in trouble. A mother raises her child alone, sells land to survive, and eventually receives help from Mr. Jo, her late husband’s former student. A young man in uniform thinks about meeting a city woman; she appears in separate panels as he questions his father’s actions and holds someone’s hand. Text and close-up portraits are shown. A young woman in uniform walks past a man in uniform, recalling a gold wristwatch valued as much as a year’s worth of rice; she passes by traditional women with an elephant.

    Our thanks to Takumigraphics and creator Yudori for offering a glimpse into the world of Lovers of the Empire, a story that immediately sets a high creative tone for Takumigraphics. This debut feels both intimate and sweeping, a reminder of how powerful manga can be when guided by a talented artist with such precise emotional instincts. As Takumigraphics begins its journey, Yudori’s work stands as a striking first statement.

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