Chinese Name: 簡嘉誠
Born: 1978
Birthplace: Taipei City (Northern Taiwan)
Did You Know That…?
The Japan International Manga Award announced in December 2023 that Jian Jia-cheng’s comic “Wind Chaser Under the Blue Sky (青空下的追風少年)” would receive the gold prize. This made Jian the second Taiwanese comic artist to win the honor, following Rimui Yumin (韋蘺若明) in 2020.
Jian Jia-cheng, born in Taipei City, is a cartoonist who graduated with a B.A. in English from Fu Jen Catholic University. He debuted in 2015 with “Little Red Riding Hood Falling in Love with the Wolf (小紅帽愛上大野狼),” which was published in the monthly magazine “Challengers (挑戰者月刊).” In December 2023, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that Jian’s “Wind Chaser Under the Blue Sky” stood out among 587 comics from 82 countries and regions to win the 17th International Manga Award gold prize.
“Wind Chaser Under the Blue Sky” was born from the collaboration between the National Archives Administration of the National Development Council and Gaea Books Co. Ltd., showcasing research by the Taiwan Railway Administration. Due to Jian’s previous experience creating “Time Train (時光列車)” and “Alishan Railway (阿里山鐵路),” both focused on Taiwan’s train lines, Gaea Books decided to work with him again, accidentally completing the “Railway Trilogy.”
In contrast to his previous works, “Wind Chaser Under the Blue Sky” spends less time illustrating the railway. Revolving around two youths who love to race against trains, the narrative encompasses historical events including the Taihoku (modern-day Taipei) Air Raid, cholera outbreaks, and the Taiwan Citizens Sports Games. These events echo recent occurrences such as COVID-19 and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. During difficult times, people work hard to overcome obstacles and improve themselves.
Starting in 2018, Jian has collaborated with the Taiwan Film & Audiovisual Institute to release three comics focusing on 1960s Taiwanese society, including “Back Street Dusk (消逝的後街光影),” “The Movie Painter (畫電影的人：手繪海報的美好時光),” and “Memories of An Actress (女伶回憶錄).”