‘BUMBARDAI’ COMIC BOOK CREATOR SIGNS AN INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING CONTRACT
-Promoting Mongolian talent around the world -
Wedge Holdings Co., Ltd. signed a five-year exclusive management contract with Mongolian comic book creator N.Erdenebayar on April 6, at Blue Sky Hotel and Tower.
Head of the Nuudliin Zurgan Uguulemj Foundation and comic book creator N.Erdenebayar is the author and illustrator of the comic book series “Bumbardai”, which won the Grand Prize at the 8th International Manga Awards in 2015, an initiative founded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 2015. It was the first time the Grand Prize had ever been awarded to a Mongolian creator.
According to the contract, N.Erdenebayar’s creative works and products will be released and promoted in Asia, and he will actively participate in marketing activities.
During the signing ceremony, CEO of Showa Holdings Co., Ltd. of Wedge Holdings CO., Ltd. Tatsuya Konoshita said, “Our company has been doing business in that content field for over 30 years. Currently, we are partnering with six countries in Asia. This is the first time that we have signed a contract with an illustrator. We have actively interacted and communicated with N.Erdenebayar and Nuudliin Zurgan Uguulemj Foundation. We have signed a contract with him because we are greatly attracted to his talent and genuinely emphasize with the philosophy and attitude that he shows in his work. We will wholeheartedly support and market N.Erdenebayar and his works all over the world. We hope you are also looking forward to his future success.”
“I have been in this business for 20 years and have gone on business trips to over 20 countries. Every country has different cultures, traditions, and customs, but I observed some things that they have in common. Creative works that make someone cry can make others cry too. On the other hand, Asian countries share 80% of common interests. That’s why N.Erdenebayar’s works will fascinate two billion people in Asia, because Mongolians already love it. We will provide N.Erdenebayar with everything. Artwork is not money, it is desire and aspiration,” he added.
N.Erdenebayar said, “I signed a five-year contract with Wedge Holdings Co., Ltd. I will work to release a special comic, or manga, brand for Asian countries. People really like ‘Bumbardai’. 'Bumbardai' is a project aimed at teaching Mongolian culture and heritage to children in a simple and interesting way. I think that’s why Wedge Holdings Co., Ltd. chose me to cooperate. The 'Bumbardai' series will be promoted in the international market.”
N.Erdenebayar was born in 1984. He has been drawing comics since 2004, and made his debut with “300 Taichuud” in 2005. In 2011, his “Bongo” comics became a big hit, and its characters became popular with Mongolian children and parents.
N.Erdenebayar says he wants to tell stories about the lifestyle and history of Mongolians as a nomadic race, and also express their pride and points of view to future generations and people all over the world. In Mongolia, he is not only famous for creating comics with social and political commentary, but is also a leader in the field of comic art.
“Bumbardai” is about a five-year-old boy named Bumbardai, who is growing up as a nomad. The story introduces the life of nomads through his interactions with many different characters and in the challenges he faces growing up.
"Bumbardai" will have a total of 108 series, four of which have been released. The first three series are now being sold in Japan.