The Man of Steel has several notable weaknesses, and as the iconic DC superhero comes to Kodansha for the manga series Superman vs. Meshi by Satoshi Miyagawa and Kai Kitago, he finds a new one: Japanese cuisine. After discovering just how delicious authentic Japanese food is, Superman finds himself making regular visits to Japan between saving the world to indulge his newfound love for the local gastronomy and exploring the cuisine with impressive breadth. As Superman falls harder and harder for Japanese food, he begins introducing his teammates on the Justice League to the wonders of Japanese restaurants and their offerings, with surprising effectiveness.
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Superman vs. Meshi creators Satoshi Miyagawa and Kai Kitago revealed the origins of creating a Superman story that would also serve as a deep dive into Japanese cuisine, explained how they paired dining experiences with iconic DC heroes within the story, and showcased real-life Japanese restaurants for tourists interested in sampling local food in their own visits to Japan.
CBR: What was it that appealed to you about having Superman as a guide into Japanese cuisine for readers?
Satoshi Miyagawa: The project kicked off when our editorial team proposed a manga concept: What if Superman flew all the way from the U.S. to Japan just to try some local cuisine? As we brainstormed with a couple of editors, we wondered, "What kind of unexpected situations could arise when Superman was dining?" We've all seen art of him scarfing down heaps of burgers, but what could he possibly eat that would leave him so stunned [that] laser beams would shoot from his eyes? Our discussions soon became spirited as we riffed on dishes Superman might enjoy, thinking, "If he liked that dish, he'd probably love this one too."
This led us to an exciting idea: Why not turn this into a manga that serves as a culinary guide for tourists visiting Japan? So, as we developed this project further, we aimed to showcase the best Japanese chain restaurants by having Superman himself come to try their food, an ultimate stamp of approval we'd love to share with the world.
With there being so many favorite Japanese dishes, how did you decide what food to include in this story?
Miyagawa: As the writer, I zeroed in on restaurant chains that I personally love, that are budget-friendly, and that would be easy for visitors to Japan to find. Though I was already a regular at many of these places, I made several return visits to conduct research and finalize the menu items I wanted to feature in the manga. The storytelling was a fun exercise in matching each dining with a compatible character or storyline from the Superman or Justice League series.
For example, it seemed like a no-brainer to send the Flash to a quick-service udon restaurant. And the thought crossed our minds: What would happen if Aquaman, who can actually talk to sea creatures, went to a conveyor-belt sushi place? We also took the U.S.-Japan time difference into account, right down to the restaurants' actual hours of operation. It turned out to be a surprisingly detailed effort, but that's all part of the creative process!
We get to both of Clark Kent's jobs, as a reporter and as a hero. What similarities and differences with these jobs did you want to emphasize?
Miyagawa: In the manga, when Clark dives into Japanese cuisine, he describes it with a reporter's flair, showcasing more of his journalistic side from the Daily Planet than his Superman persona. Even in his superhero garb, his fascination with the food makes him feel less like a super-powered alien and more like someone we can all relate to. While we did call it "vs. Food," the underlying idea is that he is more than happy to "lose" to a delicious meal. It's our way of highlighting his charming and inherently human qualities.
The team-up with Batman is a highlight and very unique. It's almost like Batman is Superman's boss in the Justice League. Miyagawa-san, between this and Joker, how is it focusing on the humorous side of these DC characters?
Miyagawa: Being a longtime fan of Batman, Superman, and the Joker definitely influenced my approach to these works. I naturally dove into past DC comics and movies for research, but these characters are so iconic that I've known them since I was a kid growing up in Japan. That intimate familiarity helped me imagine how they'd react in various situations and what they absolutely wouldn't do. This insight allowed me to weave in some unexpected plot twists.
One scene in the series that I'm particularly fond of shows Batman riding on Superman's back as they soar through the sky. While it might seem unlikely to happen, I included it to inject some fun into the narrative. I also think it subtly showcases the dynamic between an alien with superpowers and an ordinary human while highlighting the friendship between these two characters. It's a moment I'm really pleased with.
The food artwork is particularly delicious. You truly get hungry looking at these pages. How did you want to illustrate each of these classic Japanese meals?
Kai Kitago: To capture the deliciousness in black and white illustrations, I really focused on bringing out the foods' shine and juiciness. I even went to the restaurants to have the exact same dishes Superman had so I could remember the flavors as I was drawing them!
On sale now from DC Comics and Kodansha Comics, Superman vs. Meshi is written by Satoshi Miyagawa, illustrated by Kai Kitago, translated by Sheldon Drzka, and lettered by Wes Abbott.