In 1888, Rizal spent 45 days in Japan and was reportedly enchanted by the country's natural

beauty and people, motivating him to research its culture and traditions. He fell in love with a
Japanese woman named Seiko Usui, on his journey.

The screenplay was written by Matsui Takahiro, who had previously worked in the Philippines,
and the artwork were done by Ryo Konno.

Matsui, for one, expressed his appreciation for Dr. Rizal and his many qualities, knowledge, and
life perspectives. He believed that via his efforts, he may inspire children of Filipino origin in
Japan, portraying Rizal as a "honorable man in the Philippines who devoted himself to the
cause of human dignity and independence." The manga uses flashbacks to tell the story of
Rizal's life, starting with a scene depicting his execution at Bagumbayan, now Luneta Park. The
narrative then returns to his childhood in Laguna, retracing the various stages of his education,
writing, and pursuit of far-reaching reforms while the Philippines was under Spanish rule. It was
first made available online in 2018, before being published in Filipino, English, and Japanese.

Japan and the Philippines have a long-standing connection based on close people-to-people
interactions. In 1888, Rizal visited Tokyo after fleeing Spanish persecution following the
publication of his book Noli Me Tangere. According to historians, Rizal was wandering through
Hibiya Park when he heard musicians playing Strauss and discovered that the band members
were Filipinos when he approached. His visit to Hibiya Park resulted in the placement of a bust
of him in the park, which stands peaceful and proud in a secluded part of the park to this day.
The statue is reported to have inspired a Japanese illustrator to explore the Filipino martyr's
story, leading to the creation of a manga adaptation.