Historic records become captivating tales through a graphic artist’s skill.
Taiwan manga artist Jason Chien (簡嘉誠) has an exceptional talent for transforming archival documents into striking stories, a skill that catapulted him into the global spotlight when his work “Wind Chaser Under the Blue Sky” won gold at the 17th Japan International MANGA Award ceremony March 5 in Tokyo. According to Machiko Satonaka, chair of the selection committee, judges unanimously chose Chien out of a record 587 submissions from 82 countries and territories. They praised his work for capturing the essence of manga with its vividly depicted characters, imagery and plot.
Established in 2007 by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the award honors artists who spread manga culture. When presenting the commendation certificates to Chien and the other winners, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa emphasized manga’s power to connect people across borders, languages and ethnicities. “Receiving this prestigious award was a great affirmation of my creative abilities,” Chien said. “It boosted my motivation to reach a broader audience through engaging storylines and visuals.”
“Time Travel: A Journey to Collect Train Tickets” covers a century of Taiwan’s rail transformation. (Courtesy of GAEA Books Co.)
Locomotive Chronicles
“Wind Chaser Under the Blue Sky” draws inspiration from documents on Taiwan’s railway development kept by the National Development Council’s National Archives Administration. The records, designated as significant antiquities by the Ministry of Culture (MOC) in 2016, hold exceptional historical, cultural and technical value. Graphic novels were the perfect medium to make these resources more accessible, as they are popular and easily understood by a wide range of ages.
Chien’s work is set in the mid-1940s and revolves around a friendship between two young men from different backgrounds who share a passion for running and hope to break track and field records by racing trains. It integrates several historical events into the storyline, including the Taipei Air Raid, post-World War II rail restoration, a local cholera outbreak and the inauguration of the Taiwan Provincial Games at National Taiwan University in 1946.
“The Mystery of Alishan Forest Railway” takes readers through the line’s construction challenges and breathtaking mountain landscapes. (Courtesy of GAEA Books Co.)
The graphic novel is Chien’s third about railways, following “Time Travel: A Journey to Collect Train Tickets” (2012) and “The Mystery of Alishan Forest Railway” (2016). His 2012 book was also recognized at the 2013 Golden Comic Awards organized by the MOC, where it won Best General Comic.
To ensure authenticity, Chien consulted with Su Chao-hsu (蘇昭旭), an assistant professor at National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism who has researched railway systems both in Taiwan and around the world for three decades. Nicknamed the “Train Doctor,” Su has published 57 books on railroads and produced countless drawings, models and photographs. He advised Chien on various train types and reviewed the artist’s final drafts.
“Accurately drawing a steam engine requires an understanding of its engineering design and construction, as well as the historical and cultural context,” Su said. “Chien’s art is a delicate transformation of written history into compelling images. It’s clear from the final illustrations that he devoted extensive time to studying train cars, components and historical background.”
Chien’s drawings are noted for their beauty, strong composition and intricate details. “It was a pleasure to share my knowledge with Chien,” Su said. “Railway history is an important part of Taiwan’s cultural heritage, and his creative work helps foster appreciation for it.”
“Back Street Dusk” emphasizes the importance of restoring old negatives as components of Taiwan’s cinematic heritage. (Courtesy of GAEA Books Co.)
Thematic Origin
Chien first explored railroads as subject matter for Creative Comic Collection (CCC) magazine. Launched in 2009, CCC is an outgrowth of the National Science and Technology Council’s digital archives and e-learning program implemented by the Center for Digital Cultures at Academia Sinica. The magazine, published by Taipei-based Gaea Books Co., encouraged artists to develop comics based on archival records. In 2020 it transitioned to an online-only platform run by the MOC’s Taiwan Creative Content Agency, providing emerging artists like Chien with a highly visible channel to showcase their work and build a following.
After receiving an invitation from Gaea to contribute to CCC, Chien selected railways from among the historical themes provided by Academia Sinica. “In the past, railroads were essential transport, hauling coal, sugarcane and timber in addition to carrying passengers,” he said. “There are so many fascinating stories about the evolution of locomotives and train travel.” Chien evokes a sense of adventure and nostalgia, as stations and rail routes are often tied to strong emotions and memories.
In “Time Travel: A Journey to Collect Train Tickets,” the artist covers a century of rail transformation, from the introduction of steam engines and Alishan Forest Railway built during Japanese colonial rule (1895-1945) to the small sugarcane lines of the 1960s and the iconic blue-and-white Chu-Kuang Express trains of the 1970s. Similarly, “The Mystery of Alishan Forest Railway” takes readers on a nostalgic journey detailing the line’s construction challenges and showcasing the route’s stunning mountain landscapes.
According to Alan Lee (李亞倫), editor-in-chief at Gaea, a new generation of talented manga artists such as Chien emerged when the publishing house began cooperating with Academia Sinica. Chien’s short stories, first published in CCC print editions, received positive feedback from readers, prompting stand-alone book releases. “Chien has developed drawing techniques and captivating characters, narratives and scenes,” Lee said. “His work blends aesthetics, creativity and technical precision.”
“Memories of an Actress” explores Holo-language films of the 1960s. (Courtesy of GAEA Books Co.)
Lee believes “Wind Chaser Under the Blue Sky” is Chien’s best work to date. “Winning the top Japanese manga award was a well-deserved honor,” he said. “The book delivers a smooth, immersive reading experience that displays Chien’s growth as an artist.” His graphic novels became bestsellers shortly after the award announcement.
“This Man, He Paints Movies” highlights the history of hand-painted film posters. (Courtesy of GAEA Books Co.)
In addition to railway-themed tales, Chien collaborated with Gaea on three books about Holo-language films from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s. Commissioned by the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute, the volumes emphasize the importance of preserving cinematic heritage. “Back Street Dusk” (2019) focuses on the restoration of old negatives, while “This Man, He Paints Movies” (2021) highlights the history of hand-painted film posters and “Memories of an Actress” (2023) depicts signature traits of Holo-language cinema.
Through archival storytelling, Chien ensures the preservation and accessibility of records for future generations while expanding his own knowledge. “Historic records are the fabric of history and memory, offering glimpses into past experiences,” he said. “By drawing inspiration from such materials, I hope to create work that transcends time and offers fresh perspectives on the past.”
Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw