Ramen Great Escape ( ラーメン大脱走 ) is a gag one-shot by Fujio Akatsuka and Fujio Pro, produced for Chalmera Action in 1986.
Overview[]
Published during a time of ramen popularity, this story centers around Prisoner #50, a man who will break out of prison each night so that he can go enjoy ramen shops in the city. No matter how the police try to stop him, Prisoner #50's ramen love cannot be denied. However, in a twist, this is due to the director of the prison ordering him to go out and sample the ramen for him, as he is the true lover of the food.
Though the main two characters of the one-shot are exclusive to its story and not meant to be any pre-existing Star System members, their similarities (such as Prisoner #50's beard to that of Kaoru-chan) help the two fit with the rest of the characters who do guest-star in the plot.
Some outside Star System presence is also seen in the story, with the ramen-loving Koike-san (of Fujiko Fujio fame) also showing up at a ramen shop.
Characters[]
Prisoner #50[]
A man torn between wanting his freedom and having to follow the orders of the Director, to find the best-tasting "5 star" ramen ever and report back on his findings. He must risk constant injury and death escaping the prison and being tracked down by police, or perils on the way back to the prison as well.
He tries to negotiate a release from the prison early on, but Director refuses and instead condemns him to life imprisonment as a way to keep him on the hunt for ramen. He manages to find an "8 star" ramen completely exceeding his expectations, but is left debating whether to escape or to return to the prison to tell of his findings. #50 makes the decision to go back, but finds the gate sealed shut, banging on it and ordering the Director to open up.
Director[]
A supreme ramen-lover who has #50 escape each night, and go to a different ramen store to let him know of the taste. He trusts #50's sense of taste greatly, and desires to know the best source of ramen.
Serialization[]
- Chalmera Action: October 24, 1986
Reprints[]
- Shogakukan: Reprinted as part of the "1980s" DVD-ROM volume in the Fujio Akatsuka Complete Works DVD-ROM set. A print-on-demand version is available through ComicPark.