Dark Horse Comics announced today that they licensed Tsuruta Kenji’s Captain Momo’s Secret Base (Momo Kanchou no Himitsu Kichi) for an English print release, with the first oversized 140-page volume coming on May 15, 2024. Dana Lewis, who has previously worked on Wandering Island by the same author, will work on the translation.
Inspired by science fiction authors like Robert A. Heinlein and mangaka such as Hoshino Yukinobu, Tsuruta Kenji began his manga career shortly after graduating, drawing various doujinshi and performing assistant work. His first serialized work came in 1986, with the short story Hirokute Suteki na Uchuu janai ka, serialized in Kodansha‘s Weekly Morning. It was followed by Spirit of Wonder, his best-known work, serialized in Weekly Morning and Afternoon from 1987 to 1996, and later adapted into a successful anime series. It was followed by various short stories, well-received artbooks, and character design work for Abenobashi Mahou Shoutengai in 2002. Tsuruta received the 31st and 32nd Seiun Awards for Outstanding Artist of the Year in 2000 and 2001, as well as the Hayakawa Award for best illustrator in 2000.
Captain Momo’s Secret Base first debuted on Hakusensha‘s Le Paradis in June 2017, the first volume being released in March 2022. It’s set in the year 3019 AD when space technology has advanced to the point that long-distance travel on fully electric spaceships is possible. The only downside is one trip can take as long as 500 days, and while replicator ovens can generate any provisions from particles and ships only require one person to be operated, the passing days quickly become incredibly dull. Such is the life of Momo (and company-assigned cat John), captain and sole crewmember of the cargo ship Blue Chateau, doing what she can to stave off boredom while carefully managing her electricity supply to make sure this trip isn’t her last. Although the fact no one is around to reprimand her for being out of uniform is convenient.
