Maco-Ching Ishihara
Description
Maco-Ching Ishihara is the original creator behind the manga series The 3-Mei-sama, also known as The Three Young-Men in Midnight. Ishihara is credited as the author of this gag manga, which served as the foundation for subsequent anime and live-action adaptations.
The original manga The 3-Mei-sama was serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits magazine from 2000 to 2007. The series is a comedy that follows the random, late-night conversations of three aimless friends who gather at a family diner restaurant. The cover of the manga's first compiled book volume features an English tagline that encapsulates its premise: No money, no motivations, no job, no specialties, no talents, no qualifications, no plans, no fortitudes, no dreams…but friends and time.
Ishihara's work on The 3-Mei-sama has been adapted into multiple formats across more than two decades. The first adaptation was a live-action television series that premiered in 2005 and ran until 2010, resulting in eleven DVD releases. In February 2009, the manga inspired an anime titled The 3-Mei-sama: Anime wa Anime de Arissho!, which was produced by the studio Gonzo. In 2022, a new live-action film titled The 3 Meisama Remote Dake ja Muri ja ne? was released, marking the first new live-action title in the series in twelve years. Ishihara contributed a new, original screenplay for this film. In 2024, the franchise saw further expansion with a project titled The 3 Meisama Ω, which included a twenty-four episode live-action series that debuted on the Fuji TV On Demand streaming service in May, followed by a live-action film titled The 3 Meisama Ω Korette Futsū ni Jiken Jane? that opened in Japanese theaters in August. Ishihara collaborated on the screenplay for this film as well. The 2024 live-action works were directed by Takeshi Moriya.
Beyond the initial manga publication and the 2009 anime, Ishihara has remained actively involved in the franchise for over twenty years, particularly in the continued production of new live-action installments. The sustained production of anime, live-action series, and live-action films based on The 3-Mei-sama demonstrates the lasting presence of Ishihara's original work in Japanese popular culture.
The original manga The 3-Mei-sama was serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits magazine from 2000 to 2007. The series is a comedy that follows the random, late-night conversations of three aimless friends who gather at a family diner restaurant. The cover of the manga's first compiled book volume features an English tagline that encapsulates its premise: No money, no motivations, no job, no specialties, no talents, no qualifications, no plans, no fortitudes, no dreams…but friends and time.
Ishihara's work on The 3-Mei-sama has been adapted into multiple formats across more than two decades. The first adaptation was a live-action television series that premiered in 2005 and ran until 2010, resulting in eleven DVD releases. In February 2009, the manga inspired an anime titled The 3-Mei-sama: Anime wa Anime de Arissho!, which was produced by the studio Gonzo. In 2022, a new live-action film titled The 3 Meisama Remote Dake ja Muri ja ne? was released, marking the first new live-action title in the series in twelve years. Ishihara contributed a new, original screenplay for this film. In 2024, the franchise saw further expansion with a project titled The 3 Meisama Ω, which included a twenty-four episode live-action series that debuted on the Fuji TV On Demand streaming service in May, followed by a live-action film titled The 3 Meisama Ω Korette Futsū ni Jiken Jane? that opened in Japanese theaters in August. Ishihara collaborated on the screenplay for this film as well. The 2024 live-action works were directed by Takeshi Moriya.
Beyond the initial manga publication and the 2009 anime, Ishihara has remained actively involved in the franchise for over twenty years, particularly in the continued production of new live-action installments. The sustained production of anime, live-action series, and live-action films based on The 3-Mei-sama demonstrates the lasting presence of Ishihara's original work in Japanese popular culture.
Works
- Topics: Anime overview