Joker (2016)

Mysterious Joker (also known as Kaitou Joker) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hideyasu Takahashi. It originally began as a one-shot before being serialized in Shogakukan's Bessatsu CoroCoro Comic Special, CoroCoro Comic, and CoroCoro Dragon manga magazines. The manga chapters were compiled into 26 tankōbon volumes, released under Shogakukan's Tentōmushi Corocoro Comics imprint in Japan from March 28, 2008, to September 15, 2017. The series also has an anime adaptation, produced by Asatsu DK and animated by Shin-Ei Animation, which aired in Japan from October 6, 2014, to December 26, 2016, with a total of 52 episodes. The anime follows the adventures of a phantom thief named Joker and his apprentice, Hachi, as they travel the world stealing treasures while avoiding traps set by the police. The voice cast includes Ayumu Murase (Joker/Jack Jones), Miyuki Sawashiro (Diamond Queen), and Yumiko Kobayashi (Hachi). Mysterious Joker received the 58th Shogakukan Manga Award in the Children's Category. The series has generally received positive reviews for its art style, characters, and an unorthodox mix of lighthearted and dark elements, though some criticism has been directed towards its pacing. There is also a sequel series set in the future after the events of the original series, centered on Joker's son Kaitou J, called Kaitou Shounen Jokers.