The Genius Bakabon

The Genius Bakabon is a classic gag manga that ironically centers not on its titular character, but on his father, known simply as Bakabon's Papa. The series unfolds through episodic stories detailing the chaotic misadventures of Papa and his son, whose sheer incompetence consistently plunges their town into absurd trouble. Their antics inevitably draw the attention of Honkan, a local policeman with a notoriously trigger-happy disposition, while simultaneously creating endless headaches for the rest of the household. This includes Bakabon's mother, referred to only as Bakabon's Mama, and his younger brother Hajime, who stands in stark contrast to his family by possessing extraordinary intelligence. Despite its age, the series remains highly regarded in Japan because its comedic execution feels remarkably timeless, allowing the humor to resonate just as effectively with modern audiences. The complete digital release compiles 638 chapters, though volumes 32 through 38, which comprise the Revival Series from the 1987 to 1992 publication period, omit certain chapters. Additionally, volumes 28 through 31 collect the run originally serialized under the title Ganso Tensai Bakabon, which was merely a branding change for TV Magazine. In the early 2000s, Kodansha also released three bilingual comic editions. The series won the Bungeishunjū Manga Award in 1971.