A mug cup collaboration between the bestselling manga Ikinobiru tameno jimu (original story: Kyohei Sakaguchi; art: Haruko Michikusa) and NIKKO — a Western tableware maker with over 100 years of history — is now on sale. The product, titled "Ikinobiru tame no Mug," became available on Friday, February 27, 2026, at two NIKKO shops in Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo.
A Product Born from the Philosophy of the Book
Ikinobiru tameno jimu is a practical manga that adapts the text written by Kyohei Sakaguchi — an author, painter, musician, and architect — documenting the method he calls jimu (administrative work), which he credits with turning his dreams into reality. Manga artist Haruko Michikusa brought the work to life in comic form.
"Without taking care of administrative tasks, no one — not even an artist — can accomplish anything."
That central message resonated widely, earning the manga a loyal readership across a range of backgrounds. The "Jim" character who appears throughout the story, serving as a symbol of support for anyone chasing a dream, has been a key part of the series' appeal.
For this mug, Michikusa drew an original illustration of Jim specially for the project. The design also incorporates the book's catchphrase — "WE CAN WORK IT OUT!" — making it feel like a lucky charm for everyday use.
Ikinobiru tameno jimu × NIKKO
Ikinobiru tame no Mug
Release date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Available at: LOST AND FOUND TOKYO STORE / NIKKO SHOW ROOM STORE
Price: ¥4,950 (tax included)
A Manga That Has Sold Over 100,000 Copies
Ikinobiru tameno jimu generated buzz immediately after its May 2024 release, topping 50,000 copies within the first month. Word-of-mouth continued to drive sales, and the book has since passed 100,000 copies, cementing its status as a long-running hit.
The manga's distinctive take — arguing that what people need to realize their dreams is not talent, but jimu — has struck a chord with a wide audience: creatives, students, office workers, and freelancers alike. This collaboration with NIKKO marks a new chapter for the work, bringing its ideas into everyday life through a tangible product.
About the Manga Ikinobiru tameno jimu
Whether you're an artist or anyone else, neglecting administrative work means nothing gets done. The one technique for turning dreams into reality is jimu.
The manga is a practical comic adapted by Haruko Michikusa from the writing of Kyohei Sakaguchi, who is active as an author, architect, painter, musician, and counselor for the "Inocchi no Denwa" suicide prevention hotline. It tells the story of lessons in administrative work that Sakaguchi learned through his conversations with a talented clerk named Jim whom he met in his youth.
No matter how talented you are, overlooking the basics of administrative work means nothing will come of it. This manga shows how taking care of those basics can be the key that transforms your dreams into reality.
"I lack confidence in myself." "I can't keep going with what I want to do." "I get stuck overthinking and can't take action." What was missing was jimu.
Book Information
Title: Ikinobiru tameno jimu
Author: Kyohei Sakaguchi (original story), Haruko Michikusa (art)
Release date: May 16, 2024
Price: ¥1,760 (tax included)
Format: Shikoku size, 224 pages
ISBN: 978-4-8387-3270-8
Publisher: Magazine House Co., Ltd.
