Wombs (manga)

Japanese manga series

Wombs

First volume cover

Genre| Science fiction[1]
Manga
Written by| Yumiko Shirai
Published by| Shogakukan
Imprint| Ikki Comix
Magazine|

* Monthly Ikki
* (April 25, 2009 – October 25, 2010)

Demographic| Seinen
Original run| April 25, 2009 – January 29, 2016
Volumes| 5
Anime and manga portal

Wombs (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yumiko Shirai. It was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Monthly Ikki from April 2009 to October 2010 and later directly published via tankōbon volumes, with the fifth and last one released in January 2016.

In 2016, Wombs won the Grand Prize of the 37th Nihon SF Taisho Award.

## Synopsis

[edit]

On the planet of Hekiou, there is a continuing war between the first wave of immigrants and the second. An important section of the military uses a native creature, the Niebass, to give its soldiers translocation abilities. These soldiers are all women, with the alien creature transplanted into their wombs. Some people see this practice as a violation of human women by aliens, and Mana Oga's boyfriend has a similar perspective on the matter. Mana Oga is a new soldier in this section, and the story follows her and the other women in her group who accept the alien creatures into their wombs in order to defend their homes.

## Publication

[edit]

Wombs, written and illustrated by Yumiko Shirai, debuted in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Monthly Ikki on April 25, 2009.[2] The series was regularly published in the magazine for sixteen chapters until October 25, 2010,[3][4] and it was then directly released via tankōbon volumes,[4][5] although the first chapter of the third volume was published by the magazine in advance on April 25, 2012.[6] The five tankōbon volumes of Wombs were released from January 29, 2010,[7] to January 29, 2016.[8]

### Volumes

[edit]

No. | Release date  | ISBN

|
|

1|  January 29, 2010[7]| 978-4-09-188494-7
2|  January 28, 2011[9]| 978-4-09-188539-5
3|  April 27, 2012[10]| 978-4-09-188318-6
4|  June 28, 2013[11]| 978-4-09-188626-2
5|  January 29, 2016[8]| 978-4-09-188687-3

## Reception

[edit]

Wombs was one of the Jury Recommended Works at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2010.[12] The series won the 37th Nihon SF Taisho Award by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ).[13][14][15] The manga was nominated for the 48th Seiun Award in the Best Comic category in 2017.[16] The manga was nominated for the Grand Prize of the 12th and 16th Sense of Gender Award in 2012 and 2016, respectively.[17][18]

## See also

[edit]

* Tenken, another manga by the same author

## References

[edit]

1. ^ WOMBS発売記念、白井弓子×上田早夕里トークショー. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 31, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
2. ^ はがきを出せば必ずもらえる。IKKI特製ポストカード. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
3. ^ 月刊IKKI 2010年12月号. Neowing (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
4. ^ a b 白井弓子「WOMBS」2巻発売、3巻からは描き下ろしに移行. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 28, 2011. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
5. ^ 白井弓子「WOMBS」描き下ろしの4巻発売、書店特典も. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 28, 2013. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
6. ^ 月刊ＩＫＫＩ 2012年6月号 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
7. ^ a b "ＷＯＭＢＳ １" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
8. ^ a b "ＷＯＭＢＳ ５" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
9. ^ "ＷＯＭＢＳ ２" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
10. ^ "ＷＯＭＢＳ ３" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
11. ^ "ＷＯＭＢＳ ４" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
12. ^ "Manga Division – 2010 [14th] Japan Media Arts Festival Archive". Japan Media Arts Festival. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
13. ^ 第37回日本ＳＦ大賞・受賞作決定！ (in Japanese). Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan. February 25, 2017. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
14. ^ 日本SF大賞受賞・白井弓子の新作短編集「イワとニキの新婚旅行」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 16, 2017. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
15. ^ 第37回日本SF大賞を妊婦が戦場に赴くマンガ「WOMBS」で白井弓子さんが受賞. IGN Japan (in Japanese). April 22, 2017. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
16. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (April 11, 2017). "Shin Godzilla, 'your name.,' Kabaneri, Erased Nominated for Seiun Sci-Fi Awards". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
17. ^ 2012年度-第12回Sense of Gender賞 The 12th Sense of Gender Award in 2012｜ジェンダーSF研究会. gender-sf.org. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
18. ^ 2016年度-第16回Sense of Gender賞 The 16th Sense of Gender Award in 2016｜ジェンダーSF研究会. gender-sf.org. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Wombs on Ikki Paradise (in Japanese)
* Wombs at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

* v
* t
* e

Monthly Ikki series

The magazine was called Spirits Zōkan Ikki before 2003

2000–02|

* Dorohedoro (2000–14) †
* G Senjō Heaven's Door (2000–03)
* No. 5 (2000–05)
* Sexy Voice and Robo (2000–02)
* Freesia (2001–09)
* Sukimasuki (2001–03)
* Tetsuko no Tabi (2001–06)
* Noramimi (2002–09)

2003–09|

* Heibon Punch (2003–05)
* Rideback (2003–08)
* Witches (2003–04)
* Period (2003–14)
* Natsu no Kumo (2003–07)
* Bokurano (2003–09)
* Kingyo Used Books (2004–14) ‡
* Hakai (2004)
* Tsukidate no Satsujin (2004–06)
* Children of the Sea (2005–11)
* House of Five Leaves (2005–10)
* Saturn Apartments (2005–11)
* Yomawari Sensei (2005–09)
* I'll Give It My All... Tomorrow (2007–12)
* Saruman 2.0 (2007–08)
* Afterschool Charisma (2008–14)
* Sex Nanka Kyōminai (2009–12)
* Wombs (2009–10) ‡
* Shin Tetsuko no Tabi (2009–13)
* Takanashi-san (2009–12)

2010–14|

* Gunjō (2010–12)
* Yorukumo (2010–14)
* I (2010–13)
* Nickelodeon (2010–14)
* Sunny (2010–14) †
* Futagashira (2011–14) †
* Golondrina (2011–14) ‡
* Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita: Nonbirishita Hōkoku (2011–12)
* Babel (2012–14) ‡
* Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita: Nonbirishita Hōkoku 4-koma (2012)
* Watashi no Uchū (2012–14)
* Levius (2012–14)
* Ore wa Motto Honki Dashitenai Dake (2012–13)
* Kajiba no Baka IQ (2013–14) ‡
* Kūya Shōnin ga Ita (2013–14)
* Lotta Rain (2014) †

Related series|

* Not Simple (2006)
* Saru (2010)

* Monthly Ikki
* Hibana

† Indicates titles that continued serialization in other magazines
‡ Indicates titles that continued publication via compiled volumes

* v
* t
* e

Feminist science fiction

Writers by time period|

| 14th–15th century|

* Christine de Pizan (1364–1430)

|

17th century|

* Margaret Cavendish (1623–1673)

18th century|

* Marie-Anne Robert (1705–1771)
* Mary Griffith (1772–1846)

19th century|

* Mary Shelley (1797–1851)
* Jane Wells Webb Loudon (1807–1858)
* Annie Denton Cridge (1825–1875)
* Rhoda Broughton (1840–1920)
* Bertha von Suttner (1843–1914)
* Mary E. Bradley Lane (1844–1930)
* Elizabeth Burgoyne Corbett (1846–1930)
* Auguste Groner (1850–1929)
* Renée Marie Gouraud d'Ablancourt (1853–1941)
* Irene Clyde (1869–1954)
* Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935)
* Inez Haynes Irwin (1873–1970)
* Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain (1880–1932)
* Rosa Rosà (1884—1978)
* Miriam Allen DeFord (1888–1975)
* Aurora Bertrana (1892—1974)
* Anna Banti (1895—1985)
* L. Taylor Hansen (1897–1976)

20th century|

* Karin Boye (1900—1941)
* Stella Gibbons (1902–1989)
* Leslie F. Stone (1905–1991)
* C. L. Moore (1911–1987)
* James Tiptree Jr. (1915—1987)
* Alice Eleanor Jones (1916–1981)
* Shirley Jackson (1916–1965)
* Elisabeth Mann-Borgese (1918—2002)
* Madeleine L'Engle (1918–2007)
* Doris Lessing (1919–2013)
* Marlen Haushofer (1920–1970)
* Françoise d'Eaubonne (1920–2005)
* Carol Emshwiller (1921–2019)
* Virginia Kidd (1921—2003)
* Judith Merril (1923–1997)
* Kate Wilhelm (1928—2018)
* Sonya Dorman (1924–2005)
* Angélica Gorodischer (1928–2022)
* Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018)
* Sheri S. Tepper (1929—2016)
* Sally Miller Gearhart (1931—2021)
* Fay Weldon (1931—2023)
* Nancy Bogen b. 1932
* Sophie Behr (b. 1935)
* Marge Piercy (b. 1936)
* Joanna Russ (1937–2011)
* Margaret Atwood (b. 1939)
* Suzy McKee Charnas (1939–2023)
* Jutta Heinrich (1940–2021)
* Gerd Brantenberg (b. 1941)
* Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (b. 1942)
* Eleanor Arnason (b. 1942)
* Samuel R. Delany (b. 1942)
* Donna Haraway (b. 1944)
* Rachel Pollack (1945–2023)
* Elizabeth A. Lynn (b. 1946)
* Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006)
* Joëlle Wintrebert (b. 1949)
* Lois McMaster Bujold (b. 1949 )
* Dubravka Ugrešić (b. 1949)
* Roz Kaveney (b. 1949)
* Karen Joy Fowler (b. 1950)
* L. Timmel Duchamp (b. 1950)
* Charlotte Kerner (b. 1950)
* Leigh Kennedy (b. 1951)
* Stéphanie Nicot (b. 1952)
* Marleen S. Barr (b. 1953)
* Pat Murphy (b. 1955)
* Ellen Kushner (b. 1955)
* Montse Watkins (1955–2000)
* Joan Slonczewski (b. 1956)
* Mary Gentle (b. 1956)

21st century|

* Laura J. Mixon (b. 1957)
* Luce Basseterre [fr] (b. 1957)
* Rieko Matsuura (b. 1958)
* Ninni Holmqvist (b. 1958)
* Mari Kotani (b. 1958)
* Ïan Larue (b. 1958)
* Nicoletta Vallorani (b. 1958)
* Maureen F. McHugh (b. 1959)
* Lucie Chenu (b. 1960)
* Neil Gaiman (b. 1960)
* Melissa Scott (b. 1960)
* Nalo Hopkinson (b. 1960)
* Nicola Griffith (b. 1960)
* Gabriela Bustelo (b. 1962)
* Lola Robles (b. 1963)
* Hiroe Suga (b. 1963)
* Jo Walton (b. 1964)
* Heidrun Jänchen (b. 1964)
* Tananarive Due (b. 1966)
* Catherine Dufour (b. 1966)
* Ann Leckie (b. 1966)
* Virginia Bergin (b. 1966)
* Justine Larbalestier (b. 1967)
* Kelly Robson (b. 1967)
* Yumiko Shirai (b. 1967)
* Sara Doke (b. 1968)
* Annalee Newitz (b. 1969)
* Charlie Jane Anders (b. 1969)
* Lisa Yaszek (b. 1969)
* Barbara Kirchner [fr] (b. 1970)
* Kelly Sue DeConnick (b. 1970)
* Li-Cam (b. 1970)
* Fumi Yoshinaga (b. 1971)
* N. K. Jemisin (b. 1972)
* Sheree R. Thomas (b. 1972)
* Naomi Novik (b. 1973)
* Kiini Ibura Salaam (b. 1973)
* Sabrina Calvo (b. 1974)
* Juli Zeh (b. 1974)
* Nnedi Okorafor (b. 1974)
* Catherynne M. Valente (b. 1979)
* Kameron Hurley (b. 1980)
* Judith C. Vogt (b. 1981)
* Nghi Vo (b. 1981)
* Tang Fei (b. 1983)
* Amal El-Mohtar (b. 1984)
* Hao Jingfang (b. 1984)
* Theresa Hannig (b. 1984)
* Becky Chambers (b. 1985)
* Tamsyn Muir (b. 1985)
* Aline Valek (b. 1986)
* Akwaeke Emezi (b. 1987)
* Nadia Chonville (b. 1989)
* Floriane Soulas (b. 1989)
* Xiran Jay Zhao (b. 1997)
* Benjanun Sriduangkaew (b. ?)
* Vandana Singh (b. ?)

Notable works by date|

| 15th century|

* The Book of the City of Ladies (1405)

|

17th century|

* The Blazing World (1666)

18th century|

* The Voyages of Lord Seaton to the Seven Planets (1765)

19th century|

* Frankenstein (1818)
* Man's Rights; Or, How Would You Like It? (1870)
* Mizora (1880)
* New Amazonia: A Foretaste of the Future (1889)
* Iola Leroy (1892)
* Unveiling a Parallel (1893)
* Arqtiq (1899)

20th century|

* NEQUA or The Problem of the Ages (1900)
* Sultana's Dream (1905)
* Beatrice the Sixteenth (1909)
* Moving the Mountain (1911)
* Angel Island (1914)
* Herland (1915)
* "Shambleau" (1933)
* "That Only a Mother" (1948)
* A Wrinkle in Time (1962)
* Memoirs of a Spacewoman (1962)
* "When I Was Miss Dow" (1966)
* "Aye, and Gomorrah" (1967)
* The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)
* And Chaos Died (1970)
* The Kin of Ata Are Waiting for You (1971)
* The Word for World is Forest (1972)
* "When It Changed" (1972)
* Ten Thousand Light-Years from Home (1973)
* "The Women Men Don't See" (1973)
* The Dispossessed (1974)
* "The Girl Who Was Plugged In" (1974)
* The Holdfast Chronicles (1974–1999)
* The Female Man (1975)
* Woman on the Edge of Time (1976)
* Houston, Houston, Do You Read? (1976)
* The Female Man (1977)
* Egalia's Daughters (1977)
* Up the Walls of the World (1978)
* The Eye of the Heron (1978)
* Star Songs of an Old Primate (1978)
* Kindred (1979)
* The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five (1980)
* The Vampire Tapestry (1980)
* "Souls" (1982)
* Native Tongue (1984)
* The Handmaid's Tale (1985)
* Brightness Falls from the Air (1985)
* A Door into Ocean (1986)
* Golden Days (1987)
* Lilith's Brood (1987)
* "Rachel in Love" (1987)
* The Gate to Women's Country (1988)
* Her Smoke Rose Up Forever (1990)
* Beauty (1991)
* He, She and It (1991)
* Chroniques du pays des mères (1992)
* "The Matter of Seggri" (1993)
* Parable of the Sower (1993)
* The Fifth Sacred Thing (1993)
* Brown Girl in the Ring (1998)

21st century|

* The Fresco (2000)
* Tales from Earthsea (2001)
* Ōoku: The Inner Chambers (2004–2020)
* Bu Bu Jing Xin (2005)
* Fledgling (2005)
* Le Goût de l'immortalité (2005)
* Choir Boy (2005)
* Wombs (2009–2016)
* The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010)
* Who Fears Death (2010)
* Lavinia (2008)
* The Alchemy of Stone (2008)
* The Method (2009)
* "Six Months, Three Days" (2011)
* Ancillary Justice (2013)
* The Automation (2014)
* The Fifth Season (2015)
* Binti (2015)
* The Obelisk Gate (2016)
* All the Birds in the Sky (2018)
* This Is How You Lose the Time War (2019)
* The Empress of Salt and Fortune (2020)
* When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (2020)
* The Future of Another Timeline (2021)
* Victories Greater Than Death (2021)
* Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak (2022)
* The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer (2022)
* The Daughter of Doctor Moreau (2022)
* Promises Stronger Than Darkness (2023)

Genres and concepts|

* Cyborg
* Feminist science fiction
* Gender in speculative fiction
* Single-gender world
* Women in speculative fiction
* Láadan (1982)

Essays,
anthologies,
critiques|

* Women of Wonder (1975)
* Aurora: Beyond Equality (1976)
* The Language of the Night (1979)
* More Women of Wonder (1979)
* How to Suppress Women's Writing (1983)
* "A Cyborg Manifesto" (1984)
* To Write Like a Woman (1995)
* "We Have Always Fought" (2013)
* The Geek Feminist Revolution (2016)
* Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora (2000)

Characters|

* L'Oiselle (1909)
* Jirel of Joiry (1934)

Publishers|

* Aqueduct Press
* Launch Point Press
* Onlywomen Press
* Regal Crest Enterprises
* Zubaan Books

Media|

* Forerunner
* The Witch and the Chameleon
* Janus
* Bitch Planet

Prizes|

* Sense of Gender Awards
* Otherwise Award
* Lambda Literary Award

Events and conventions|

* Wiscon
* Sad Puppies (2013–2017)

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