:Golden Boy (manga)
{{Short description|Japanese manga series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{About|the Japanese manga and anime||Golden Boy (disambiguation){{!}}Golden Boy}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Golden Boy
| image = Golden Boy volume 1 cover jap.png
| caption = First {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volume cover, featuring Madame President and Kintaro Oe
| genre = Erotic comedy
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| author = Tatsuya Egawa
| publisher = Shueisha
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}}
| magazine = Super Jump
| first = 1992
| last = 1997
| volumes = 10
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = ova
| director = Hiroyuki Kitakubo
| producer = {{ubl|Yōichi Ishikawa|Takao Asaga|Kazufumi Nomura}}
| writer = Tatsuya Egawa
| music = Jōyō Katayanagi
| studio = A.P.P.P.
| licensee = {{english anime licensees|NA=Discotek Media}}
| first = October 27, 1995
| last = June 28, 1996
| runtime = 183 minutes (total)
| episodes = 6
| episode_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| title = Golden Boy II
| author = Tatsuya Egawa
| publisher = Shueisha
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Seinen}}
| imprint =
| magazine = Business Jump
| first = September 15, 2010
| last = May 18, 2011
| volumes = 2
| volume_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}
Golden Boy is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Egawa. It was originally serialized from 1992 to 1997 in the manga magazine Super Jump, and later anthologized as ten collected volumes. The series is a sex comedy that follows Kintaro Oe, a 25 year old freeter and university dropout who roams Japan working various odd jobs. During his travels, Kintaro meets several women whose lives he dramatically changes, despite his invariably poor first impressions.
The series was adapted into a six-episode original video animation (OVA) produced by Shueisha and KSS that was released in 1995. A sequel to the manga, Golden Boy II, was serialized in Business Jump from September 2010 to May 2011.
Plot
Kintaro is a freeter, and has done various jobs as he quests around Japan in pursuit of knowledge. His ventures include computer programming, housekeeping, teaching, the culinary arts, and most of all, studying. Kintaro is also often seen demonstrating the skills he has learned in previous chapters to overcome challenges faced in the current one. He is also adept in martial arts, but does not fight unless he is angered, and ordinarily just takes a beating. Much of the humor derives from situational elements, such as encounters between Kintaro and the women gone awry, and interactions between Kintaro's libido and imagination. Recurring gags include Kintaro's fetish for toilets (especially those recently used by beautiful women), his exaggerated facial expressions, and comical entries in his notebook. The notebook entries include explicit drawings of the women he encounters and bits of wisdom such as "'C' base is not sex", and "The human head cannot turn 360 degrees." Regarding the series, Tatsuya Egawa writes: "Before leaving kindergarten, I wrote these words in my notebook: 'I really like to study.' Often I wonder when it was that our schools forgot the true meaning of 'study', something which is now so often misunderstood by teachers and parents. Learning ought to be both stimulating and entertaining".
Characters
;{{nihongo|Kintaro Oe|大江 錦太郎|Ōe Kintarō}}
:{{anime voices|Mitsuo Iwata{{cite web|title=Golden Boy (1996) – Japanese Cast|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Golden-Boy/japanese-cast/|website=Behind The Voice Actors|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124081907/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Golden-Boy/japanese-cast/|archive-date=January 24, 2024|url-status=live}}|Doug Smith{{cite web|title=Golden Boy (1996) – English Dub Cast|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Golden-Boy/|website=Behind The Voice Actors|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124081926/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Golden-Boy/|archive-date=January 24, 2024|url-status=live}}}}
:
;{{nihongo|Madame President|女社長|Joshachō}}
:{{anime voices|Hiromi Tsuru|Tiffany Grant}}
:
;{{nihongo|Naoko Katsuda|勝田 奈緒子|Katsuda Naoko}}
:{{anime voices|Yūko Minaguchi|Allison Keith}}
:
;{{nihongo|Noriko|紀子}}
:{{anime voices|Yuri Shiratori|Kim Sevier}}
:
;{{nihongo|Ayuko Hayami|速水 鮎子|Hayami Ayuko}}
:{{anime voices|Kikuko Inoue|Sue Ulu}}
:
;{{nihongo|Reiko Terayama|寺山 麗子|Terayama Reiko}}
:{{anime voices|Sakiko Tamagawa|Laura Chapman}}
:
;{{nihongo|Chie|知絵}}
:{{anime voices|Mika Kanai|Yvonne Aguirre}}
:
Media
=Manga=
Written and illustrated by Tatsuya Egawa, Golden Boy was serialized in Shueisha's Seinen manga magazine Super Jump from 1992 to 1997.{{cite web|script-title=ja:お勉強野郎復活！江川達也「GOLDEN BOY」ビージャンで|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/37020|website=Comic Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=October 11, 2021|language=ja|date=September 1, 2010|archive-date=June 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608182608/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/37020|url-status=live}} Shueisha collected its chapters in ten {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes, released from June 4, 1993, to January 9, 1998.
A sequel to the manga, {{nihongo|Golden Boy II – Sasurai no O-Benkyō Yarō: Geinō-kai Ōabare-hen|GOLDEN BOY II 〜さすらいのお勉強野郎 芸能界大暴れ編〜}}, was serialized in Business Jump from September 15, 2010,{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-31/golden-boy-manga-returns-in-new-series-in-september|title=Golden Boy Manga Returns In New Series In September|website=Anime News Network|date=August 31, 2010|access-date=September 1, 2010|archive-date=September 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912222330/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-31/golden-boy-manga-returns-in-new-series-in-september|url-status=live}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:ビージャンでお勉強！江川達也「GOLDEN BOY II」スタート|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/37711|website=Comic Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=October 11, 2021|language=ja|date=September 15, 2010|archive-date=June 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609122829/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/37711|url-status=live}} to May 18, 2011.{{cite web|title=Fin de Golden Boy II|url=https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/actus/2011/05/17/Fin-de-Golden-Boy-II|website=manga-news.com|access-date=October 11, 2021|language=fr|date=May 17, 2011|archive-date=June 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606220136/https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/actus/2011/05/17/Fin-de-Golden-Boy-II|url-status=live}} Shueisha collected its chapters in two tankōbon volumes, released on February 18 and July 19, 2011.{{cite web|script-title=ja:GOLDEN BOY2 1|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879109-8&mode=1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223072104/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879109-8&mode=1|archive-date=February 23, 2011|language=ja}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:GOLDEN BOY2 2|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879177-7&mode=1|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825020321/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-879177-7&mode=1|archive-date=August 25, 2011|language=ja}}
==Volumes==
{{Graphic novel list/header
|Language = Japanese
|OneLanguage = yes
|Width = 100%
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 1
|RelDate = June 4, 1993{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 1|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587219|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030323231625/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587219|archive-date=March 23, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858721-9
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 2
|RelDate = December 2, 1993{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 2|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587227|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030731063340/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587227|archive-date=July 31, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858722-7
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 3
|RelDate = May 10, 1994{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 3|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587235|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030509172713/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587235|archive-date=May 9, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858723-5
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 4
|RelDate = December 2, 1994{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 4|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587243|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030509172518/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587243|archive-date=May 9, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858724-3
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 5
|RelDate = June 2, 1995{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 5|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587251|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030731064600/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587251|archive-date=July 31, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858725-1
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 6
|RelDate = December 1, 1995{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 6|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=408858726X|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020905230302/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=408858726X|archive-date=September 5, 2002|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858726-X
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 7
|RelDate = June 4, 1996{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 7|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587278|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030731064732/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587278|archive-date=July 31, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858727-8
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 8
|RelDate = December 2, 1996{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 8|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587286|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030731065354/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587286|archive-date=July 31, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858728-6
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 9
|RelDate = July 4, 1997{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 9|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587294|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030731065114/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088587294|archive-date=July 31, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-858729-4
}}
{{Graphic novel list
|VolumeNumber = 10
|RelDate = January 9, 1998{{cite web|title=Golden Boy 10|url=http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088590015|website=s-book.com|publisher=Shueisha|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030731065651/http://www.s-book.com/plsql/sbc_book?isbn=4088590015|archive-date=July 31, 2003|language=ja}}
|ISBN = 4-08-859001-5
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
=Original video animation=
Adapted by Shueisha and KSS into an original video animation (OVA) series, Golden Boy was first released in Japan on VHS and later on laserdisc. The closing theme is "Study A Go! Go!" by Golden Girls. The series was licensed in North America by ADV Films, and was released on VHS, in both subtitled and dubbed editions, later releasing two DVD volumes on April 23 and June 18, 2002,{{cite web|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|title=Golden Boy Vol. #1|url=http://www.mania.com/golden-boy-vol-1_article_74149.html|website=Mania.com|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417143045/http://www.mania.com/golden-boy-vol-1_article_74149.html|archive-date=April 17, 2009|date=March 24, 2002|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|title=Golden Boy Vol. #2|url=http://www.mania.com/golden-boy-vol-2_article_74594.html|website=Mania.com|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419105009/http://www.mania.com/golden-boy-vol-2_article_74594.html|archive-date=April 19, 2009|date=May 21, 2002|url-status=live}} and a complete series release on May 25, 2004.{{cite web|last=Cruz|first=Luis|title=Golden Boy (Essential Anime Collection)|url=http://mania.com/golden-boy-essential-anime-collection_article_76113.html|website=Mania.com|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208113858/http://mania.com/golden-boy-essential-anime-collection_article_76113.html|archive-date=February 8, 2009|date=June 27, 2004|url-status=live}} The license was later transferred to Media Blasters for a DVD release on November 6, 2007,{{cite web|title=Golden Boy|url=http://www.mania.com/golden-boy_article_79753.html|website=Mania.com|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417143101/http://www.mania.com/golden-boy_article_79753.html|archive-date=April 17, 2009|date=August 18, 2007|url-status=live}} and then Discotek Media for a DVD release on November 6, 2012.{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Discotek Media Adds Golden Boy Video Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-07-17/discotek-media-adds-golden-boy-video-anime|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 24, 2024|date=July 17, 2012|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121153328/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-07-17/discotek-media-adds-golden-boy-video-anime|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Golden Boy: The Complete Series on 2 DVDs|url=http://www.discotekmedia.com/golden_boy.htm|publisher=Discotek Media|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419123344/http://www.discotekmedia.com/golden_boy.htm|url-status=live}}
==Episodes==
{{Episode table
| background =
| overall =
| title =
| director =
| airdate =
| airdateR =
| released = y
| episodes =
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Computer Studies
| TranslitTitle = Konpyūtā de obenkyō
| NativeTitle = コンピューターでお勉強
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hiroyuki Kitakubo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|10|27}}
| ShortSummary = 25-year-old Kintarō Ōe obtains a janitorial job at an all-woman software firm led by the Ferrari-driving, skimpily clad Madame President. An electrical accident jeopardizes the firm's future, allowing Kintaro to put his newly acquired programming skills to the test.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Temptation of the Maiden
| TranslitTitle = Otome no yūwaku
| NativeTitle = 乙女の誘惑
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Yasuhito Kikuchi
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|11|22}}
| ShortSummary = Working as a campaign staffer for a mayoral candidate, Kintarō is asked to tutor his boss' attractive teenage daughter, Naoko Katsuda, who wants more from him than help with her math homework.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Danger! The Virgin's First Love
| TranslitTitle = Kiki! Otome no hatsukoi
| NativeTitle = 危機!乙女の初恋
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hiroyuki Morita
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1995|12|22}}
| ShortSummary = A car accident has left the owner of an udon restaurant temporarily handicapped, and Kintarō is helping out and learning the trade. The owner's daughter, Noriko has a well-heeled suitor, but a series of events leads Kintarō to doubt his sincerity.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Swimming in the Sea of Love
| TranslitTitle = Yasei no umi o oyogu
| NativeTitle = 野性の海を泳ぐ
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Akihiko Nishiyama
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|4|26}}
| ShortSummary = Kintarō has challenged the local swimming coach (and former Olympic athlete) to a race, but he first needs to learn how to swim. While training, however, his situation with the coach, Ayuko Hayami is compromised.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Balls to the Wall
| TranslitTitle = Nōburēki no seishun
| NativeTitle = ノーブレーキの青春
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Kenji Takemura
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|5|24}}
| ShortSummary = Kintarō becomes a servant in a traditional-style mansion of a wealthy family, but is quickly dismissed. He then challenges the daughter Reiko Terayama, who abhors men and has a fetish for her motorcycle, to a race.
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Animation is Fun!
| TranslitTitle = Animēshon wa omoshiroi!
| NativeTitle = アニメーションは面白い!
| NativeTitleLangCode = ja
| DirectedBy = Hiroyuki Kitakubo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1996|6|28}}
| ShortSummary = Chie is a cel-painter at the animation studio where Kintaro works as an errand-boy. Production difficulties ensue, and Kintarō must rely on old friends to pull things through. An animated rendition of Tatsuya Egawa, voiced by the author himself, makes a cameo appearance in this episode.
}}
}}
Reception
The Golden Boy OVA was generally well received by English-language reviewers. It is widely known for its mature content: while the OVA is not strictly a hentai animation, it does feature instances of partial female nudity, orgasms, and female masturbation. In contrast, the manga becomes almost pornographic starting in the second volume.{{cite web|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|date=July 23, 2003|title=Golden Boy Manga-ka does live porn|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=3938|access-date=July 23, 2003|website=Anime News Network|archive-date=March 27, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050327140341/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=3938|url-status=live }} Jeff Ulmer of DigitallyObsessed calls it "hilarious",{{cite web|last=Ulmer|first=Jeff|date=April 18, 2006|title=Golden Boy #1: Treasure Hunt (1995)|url=http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=3327|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031026112431/http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=3327|archive-date=October 26, 2003|access-date=April 18, 2006|publisher=Digitally Obsessed}} and Luis Cruz of AnimeOnDVD says it is "surprisingly well-written for an erotic comedy,"{{cite web|last=Cruz|first=Luis|date=June 27, 2004|title=Golden Boy (Essential Anime Collection)|url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2991.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050922134324/http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2991.php|archive-date=September 22, 2005|access-date=June 27, 2004|publisher=AnimeOnDVD}} and that it "easily deserves the 'Essential' moniker bestowed upon it" by ADV. Cruz goes on to say that the series' jokes "feel like a natural extension of both the characters and the plot...". Mike Toole of AnimeJump says "the mixture of realistic storytelling with Kintaro's deranged personality is always a hoot to watch."{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615135232/http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=104|archive-date=June 15, 2009|title=Goldenboy vols. 1–2
|access-date=September 22, 2006|last=Toole|first=Mike|date=October 12, 2003|publisher=Anime Jump|url=http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=104}} Of Kintaro himself, Toole says he "has a simple everyman appeal", and Cruz contends that Kintaro's "charming character" is what makes the anime coherent. Toole says that Golden Boy "is worthwhile for the final episode alone", and Ulmer feels that it "took the cake".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=3838|title=Golden Boy #2: Bound for Glory (1995)|access-date=September 22, 2006|last=Ulmer|first=Jeff|date=September 26, 2002|publisher=Digitally Obsessed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031026145602/http://digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=3838|archive-date=October 26, 2003}} Golden Boy popularized anime in Russia after being a huge success on its MTV Russia.{{cite journal|year=2004|script-title=ru:От редакции|trans-title=Editor's column|journal=anime*magazine|issue=3|page=3|issn=1810-8644|language=ru}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060426174256/http://www.advfilms.com/favorites/goldenboy/|title=Official OVA website at ADV Films}}
- {{Anime News Network|manga|4559}}
{{Super Jump}}
{{Business Jump}}
{{Hiroyuki Kitakubo}}
{{A.P.P.P.}}