Lovers of the Empire Vol. 1

by: Yudori
Purchase: Amazon – Bookshop

Set in the atmospheric Korean capital in the 1920s, this dynamic manhwa period piece follows two teenagers from different social strata thrown together ― and their unlikely connection leads to comedic, emotional, and eye-opening experiences of discovery.

South Korea, 1929. Arisa Jo, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is the most eligible bachelorette in all of Gyeongsung (the capital city). With her Western dresses, movie star hairstyle, and assertive attitude, she embodies bold “Modern” values. Meet her opposite, Jun Seomoon, a young man from the countryside deeply rooted in tradition. When Jun is charged by Arisa’s father to be her escort in the big city, these opposing forces create sparks. Through this unlikely connection, these teenagers open their eyes to new perspectives amidst the rapidly changing world they live in.
Coming off the heels of her acclaimed Raging Clouds, Lovers of the Empire proves Yudori to be a comic artist at the height of her creative powers. On the surface a sweet and funny will they, won’t they romance, this story garners depth from its depiction of Korea at a crossroads: a city occupied by Japan, molded by Western influences, and facing a modernity that stirs inner conflicts within its citizens. Rendered in gorgeous full color, this period piece portrays a fascinating city in a tumultuous time, with two winsome characters at its heart.

Full-color illustrations throughout

Today, Takumigraphics – an imprint of Fantagraphics specializing in the art and craft of East Asian comics – debuts with Lovers of the Empire Volume 1, a new full-color graphic novel from Yudori, the world renowned cartoonist behind 2024’s acclaimed Raging Clouds. Set in 1920s South Korea, this dynamic manhwa romance is a funny, heartfelt exploration of class, colonialism, and love. As the first Takumigraphics publication, Lovers of the Empire introduces a new, curated slate of international comics from more of the world’s greatest cartoonists. 

Lovers of the Empire follows two teenagers from different social strata who are thrown together. Arisa Jo, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is the most eligible bachelorette in all of Gyeongsung (the capital city). With her Western dresses, movie star hairstyle, and assertive attitude, she embodies bold “Modern” values. Jun Seomoon is her opposite, a young man from the countryside deeply rooted in tradition. When Arisa’s father tasks Jun with escorting her to the big city, their personalities clash and sparks fly. Their unlikely connection opens these teenagers’ eyes to new perspectives amidst the rapidly changing world they find themselves in. On the surface a sweet and funny “will they, won’t they” romance, this story garners depth from its depiction of Korea at a crossroads: a city occupied by Japan, molded by Western influences, and facing a modernity that stirs inner conflicts within its citizens. Rendered in gorgeous full color, this period piece portrays a fascinating city in a tumultuous time, with two winsome characters at its heart.

Coming off the heels of her lauded debut Raging Clouds, Lovers of the Empire proves Yudori to be a comic artist at the height of her creative powers. This beautifully drawn, nuanced graphic novel is emblematic of the work the Takumigraphics imprint will champion. “Takumi” comes from the Japanese kanji meaning “excellence,” skillfulness,” and “ingeniousness.” This character exemplifies the aesthetic caliber of the books that will comprise this imprint — works of mastery and vision which will include Marina Lisa Komiya’s On Their Frontlines: The Lives of Japanese War Brides, Shimura Takako Wandering Son, Akane Torikai’s Wandering Cat’s Cage and many more masterpieces from across East Asia.