Since 2013, the Nagano Prefecture Police Department has run a 4-panel manga series called Keisatsu-no Oniisan! (literally “Big Brother Policeman”) on its website. It depicts two police officers, one young and the other middle-aged. Now, thanks to their increasing popularity, they’re getting a manga in a magazine, Manga Time Jumbo, devoted to 4-panel manga.
The manga’s two characters, Shirou Hokari and Mamoru Tezuka, originated as mascots for the prefectural police. In their comic strips they advise residents about phone scams, commuting kindergarteners, drinking and driving, etc.
Officers Hokari & Tezuka kindly inform you that biking with an umbrella is dangerous and illegal. Tezuka suggests wearing a raincoat instead, and claims it suits the woman in the manga much better.The cops maintain their dignity and composure while revealing good-natured personalities and weaknesses, which might have endeared them to readers. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also good-looking men in uniform, which explains their predominantly female fanbase.
Karakemi (the manga’s creator) and the Nagano Prefecture Police Department initially rebuffed overtures from Houbunsha, the magazine’s publisher, but gradually changed their minds, reasoning that spreading advice about fraud, anti-criminal measures, and traffic rules was easier in manga format, they could advertise the appeal of Nagano Prefecture, and drawing the manga was fun.
A poster featuring the cop pair appeared in an April Animage supplement for girls, Roman Album Prince Animage.
The strip premiered in Manga Time Jumbo‘s October issue on September 12. If you’re interested in reading the webcomics, see the Nagano Prefecture Police Department’s website. Nagano Prefecture is located in the mountains of central Japan.
In this winter strip, Hokari reminds readers to be careful of driving on roads in the winter, as Nagano is a snowy area and cars can slip on the ice. Turns out he’s thinking of this since his new car just hit a tree. Tezuka gives him chestnut candy, one of Nagano Prefecture’s specialties, to console him.
[Via Netlab and J-Town Net; Images from Nagano Police]
More from Anime News Network
Fangirls fawn over Nagano police station’s new pretty-boy mascot characters
Nagano police bust up cannabis tempura camping party
Nagasaki police get into high speed chase with Nagasaki police
Two Japanese Police Sergeants Arrested for Kissing Female Officers and Demanding they Swap Clothes, Police Were Immediately on the Scene
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Same name tops lists of most popular dog and cat names in Japan, and there’s probably a reason why
Tokyo’s insane Garlic Ramen is a meal, and an aroma, you’ll never forget[Taste test]
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Tokyo restaurant offers lunches for less than 1 U.S. cent…if you’re good enough at rock-paper-scissors
Own a piece of anime history with U-Treasure’s Astro Boy gold miniature figure
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese police officers turn police box into their own little love hotel, do it instead of duty
Cops in Japan use police box as shag shack, one goes on to have second affair with other officer
Hello Kitty gets busy again — this time collaborating with an iconic manga character!
Japanese police officers increasingly forgetting their guns in public restrooms
Weekly Shonen Champion manga magazine offers several issues for free in light of Noto Earthquake
Sporty nerds gather in Nagano to show off their anime and manga-inspired snowboards
Top ten “Legendary deceased manga artists whose new work I wanted to read” 【Ranking】
Japanese police department publishes “driving horoscopes” to encourage road safety
Foreigners arrested in Japan on charges of posting manga images before official on-sale date
Japanese police in Oita no longer banned from shopping at convenience stores while in uniform
North Korea missile alert manga produced by Japanese government office
Japan’s most-wanted manga pirate forcibly repatriated, arrested as he enters Japanese airspace【Vid】
Japanese police are not messing around, with Patlabor robot mecha out on display 【Video】
Kyoto government worker assaults coworker for spoiling popular manga series at the office
Anime/manga legend Leiji Matsumoto, creator of Yamato, Harlock, and 999, has passed away