What started as a simple X post sharing an aunt's 30-year-old fan-made doujinshi for "Fortune Quest" recently exploded in Japan, reeling in not just fellow creators and fans from three decades ago, but even the original author herself! The entire thread quickly transformed into an epic online "class reunion," with netizens jokingly calling it "rainbow history" instead of "dark history." It's been quite the unexpected internet sensation.
It all began when an X user, visiting their aunt, stumbled upon her original manuscripts for a "Fortune Quest" (フォーチュン・クエスト) doujinshi from about 30 years ago. With her aunt's permission, they decided to share the nostalgic treasures online.
(For the uninitiated, "Fortune Quest" is an RPG fantasy novel series by Mishio Fukazawa, later adapted into manga by Natsuo Mikan. It also spawned a four-episode OVA in 1993 and a 26-episode TV anime, "Fortune Quest L," in 1997.)
Beyond the black-and-white manuscripts, the post featured illustrations submitted for publication back then, handwritten letters, and vibrant color pieces. The distinct hand-drawn and handwritten style instantly struck a chord with many netizens, who gushed about its "authentic retro vibe."
What started as a simple archival post by the user unexpectedly blew up, with notifications piling up so fast they joked it was "a little scary" and "wouldn't stop!"
After the post went viral, one netizen commented, claiming they actually owned that very doujinshi! The original poster was floored, quipping that "the miracle you least expect to happen, happened!"
As the discussion spread like wildfire, more and more people connected to the doujinshi scene from back then started popping up, turning the entire thread into a full-blown "30-year reunion."
One user even claimed to have collaborated with the original poster's aunt on doujinshi, while others recalled running fan circles and seeing these very manuscripts. The biggest shocker? Someone pointed out that the creator, who went by the pen name "Bon Voyage," was actually a professional artist recommended to work on official projects, sending both the original poster and their aunt into a frenzy of excitement!
And the guest list kept growing! More former club members, contributors, and even event organizers joined the fray, confirming identities and swapping nostalgic memories, making the entire thread feel like the ultimate online class reunion.
Someone even chimed in, saying, "One of the names written in that book is mine!" The original poster was practically shaking, exclaiming, "The internet is way too vast..."
The story kept snowballing, eventually reaching none other than Mishio Fukazawa, the original author of "Fortune Quest"! Fukazawa-sensei herself commented on social media, saying, "Please give my regards to your aunt. I'm truly delighted." This brought the whole saga to its peak!
And it wasn't just the original author; Natsuo Mikan, the illustrator for the series, also remarked that the timeline looked like a "lively class reunion."
The original poster concluded by noting that their aunt initially considered these old works "dark history." But after this unexpected turn of events, they've become a memory filled with surprise and connection, transforming into "rainbow history" instead.
Netizens universally agreed that such a development is not only rare but also powerfully demonstrates how creativity and human connection can transcend time, calling it "an absolute miracle" and "so romantic." What began as a casual post about an old doujinshi ended up resurrecting an entire fan community from 30 years ago. Talk about the internet's incredible power!
via： togetter