KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops
こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所
Serialized from 1976 to 2016 in Weekly Shōnen Jump, KochiKame is a long-running comedy about a middle-aged police officer, Ryotsu Kankichi, and the quirky incidents he handles at a Tokyo police box.
What is it?
The setting is a police box in front of Kameari Park in Katsushika, Tokyo. Officer Ryotsu Kankichi and his younger colleagues handle the day-to-day incidents and chaos. Every chapter brings a new case, and Ryotsu's unorthodox approach resolves it. Though money-hungry and always scheming, he proves kind-hearted and honest when it counts. Character humor and social satire drive the comedy.
By the numbers
Its 40-year run made it a national institution. It won the Special Judges Award at the 50th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005. Multiple anime adaptations, films, and stage productions followed. After the series ended in 2016, new episodes are still being created. With 202 volumes, it once held the Guinness World Record for the single manga series with the most volumes published.
Where to start
There are 201 volumes as of 2021. Over 157.2 million copies were in circulation by 2014. Since most chapters stand alone, you can begin anywhere.