[孤独のグルメ] 国内初の完全合本版｜ワディズ限定

Not because it would sell well,
but because we loved it.

It all started with fandom.
In 2008, when I founded the publishing house Esoop, I was a longtime comic enthusiast. In 2009, when there was no such thing as 'mukbang' or 'eating alone,' I took the risk despite concerns from those around me and secured the rights to introduce 'The Solitary Gourmet' for the first time.

It was a battle for a small publisher.
When the work became a huge success after a resurgence, the copyright fee for the second volume nearly increased tenfold. When big capital entered the bidding, we endured by even going into debt to ultimately keep our signature. It was about pride, not business.

And now, this is the combined edition we secured ourselves.
When communication with the original Japanese publisher did not go as planned and feedback from the domestic agency was indefinitely delayed, we knocked directly on the door of the French copyright holder (BCF) without an agent. Through direct video conferences in French, negotiating fiercely across time zones, we finally succeeded in signing the official contract for Korea's first 'thread-sewn hardcover complete edition.'

We can no longer see his new drawings.
In 2017, when Jiro Taniguchi passed away, I was deeply saddened as a reader. The following year, when I attended a memorial for him, I realized again that I could no longer leave the regret of torn and faded single volumes as they were.

Binding the masterpiece of a great artist into the clearest and most durable single volume. We poured our affection and respect into this one book.

Esoop Publishing House (Esoop)

Since opening in 2008, Esoop has been a publisher that plans valuable books that can be kept and read for a long time without compromising with trends. As the maker who first introduced the power of Jiro Taniguchi's original works to Korea, we cherish the physical beauty of books and the rhythm of the text above all else.

FAQ

Q. How is thread-sewn hardcover binding exactly different from regular perfect binding?
A. Most comic books commonly found in bookstores use the 'perfect binding' method, where glue is applied to the inner pages and attached to the cover. This method has chronic issues where pages can tear or fall out when the book is opened wide. In contrast, thread-sewn binding uses thread to stitch the inner pages together by hand in a craftsman-like process and secures them to a hardcover. The book opens perfectly flat at 180 degrees, so the inner artwork is not lost in the gutter, and it boasts durability so that not a single page will fall out even after a lifetime of reading.

Q. After the Funding ends, will I not be able to purchase it at regular online or offline bookstores?
A. After the Funding ends, the bookstore edition distributed to regular bookstoreswill only be sold as a 'single book' without the 'premium collector's case.' Also, the official publisher Esoop directly producedThe official set of 3 goods is available exclusively as a special Wadiz package and will never be reproduced or sold at regular bookstores or online malls in the future.

Q. What are the paper specifications used for the book?
A. We have chosen the highest quality ivory imitation paper, 120g, which reduces eye fatigue even when appreciating the master's black-and-white prints for long periods. It is much thicker and heavier than the standard 80g comic book paper, minimizing show-through on the back, and you can fully enjoy the unique analog tactile sensation as you turn each page.