Loss and Resilience: Japan's Recent Earthquake Claims Museum Honoring Go Nagai, Creator of Devilman

On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, the Hokkoku Shimbun newspaper reported that the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum, dedicated to the Devilman mangaka, had tragically burned down due to a fire caused by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture on Monday, January 1.

The most recent image of the current state of Wajima City’s Go Nagai Wonderland Museum was captured by Kazushige Kobayashi, a photographer for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Kobayashi visited the museum’s Asaichi Street location just before noon on Tuesday, January 2 in Japan, and took a photo of the devastating aftermath of the fire.

Devilman mangaka and general legend Go Nagai’s dedicated museum burns down following earthquake

The Go Nagai Wonderland Museum is a tribute to the legendary manga creator, Go Nagai, known for his iconic works Mazinger Z and Devilman. Nagai is celebrated for pioneering the super robot genre and introducing the concept of mecha robots piloted from a cockpit, as seen in these two influential manga series.

The latest

The latest photo of Wajima City’s Go Nagai Wonderland Museum illustrates the devastation caused by the earthquake and fire to the surrounding area. While the museum is the only building that still remains standing, it has suffered extensive damage from the disaster, as evidenced by the fire damage and partial destruction. A comparison with earlier photos from the museum's official website highlights the extent of the destruction.

Additionally, the impact of the destruction of this location is especially significant as Wajima was the birthplace of Nagai. The museum was initially unveiled in 2005 and then officially opened on Asaichi Street in 2009. Inside, there were numerous pieces of Nagai's original art from iconic manga series like Mazinger Z, Cutey Honey, Devilman, and Getter Robo.

It is assumed, but not confirmed as of the writing of this article, that the original art was unfortunately lost in the fire that nearly completely destroyed the building.

A devastating 7.6-magnitude earthquake sparked a fire as it hit Japan’s western coast, particularly the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, at 4:10 pm Japanese Standard Time on New Year’s Day. The impact was felt as far as Tokyo and Osaka on the opposite coast, with buildings shaking. As of 3:30 pm JST on Tuesday, the death toll stands at 48, including 19 in Wajima, as rescue operations continue.

Dynamic Production, Go Nagai's studio, issued a statement on Tuesday emphasizing the priority of the safety of Wajima City's residents. However, they have not contacted the local officials directly yet to verify the reports about the museum. The company mentioned that they will provide more information once the necessary details are confirmed. They also conveyed that Nagai, who is currently in Tokyo, is deeply saddened and concerned about the destruction in his hometown.

Be sure to keep up with all anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2024 progresses.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of Go Nagai and his iconic works, I am deeply saddened by the news of the destruction of the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum in Wajima City. This museum was a testament to Nagai's creativity and influence on the manga and anime industry, and it is a great loss that so many of his original artworks may have been lost in the fire. My thoughts are with the people of Wajima City who have suffered from this devastating earthquake, and I hope that the museum can be rebuilt and restored to its former glory.

The resilience of the Japanese people in the face of such tragedy is truly inspiring. Despite the immense loss and destruction caused by the earthquake, the people of Wajima City are determined to rebuild and recover. I am confident that the Go Nagai Wonderland Museum will rise again, stronger than ever, and continue to honor the legacy of this legendary manga creator.