Project X - Datsun Fairlady Z (Project X 240Z Challengers) [Paperback]

Akira Yokoyama (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Series: Project X 240Z Challengers | Publication Date: April 11, 2006

Manga in Japan often transcends the perceived boundaries of action, comedy, fantasy, Shoujo, and the like. Digital Manga is excited to introduce a new type of manga to the U.S. market; the business manga series Project X. Based on the widely watched Japanese documentary series, this manga explores the movers and shakers behind some of Japan's most phenomenal success stories - Nissan, Cup Noodle and 7-11. In 1960s America, the Japanese automobile was seen as a "second-class" inferior. In spite of it all, men dared to dream of building a world winning Japanese sports car. Through the innovative zeal of Yutaka Katayama (now reverently known as "Mr. K") and the genius of designer Yoshihiko Matsuo, this dream became reality in the form of the legendary sports car, the Nissan Fairlady Z. Known as the Datsun 240z in America; this automobile was an unprecedented success and is still beloved today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569709572
• ISBN-13: 978-1569709573
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Portrays the heroism of businessmen, April 18, 2006

By 

Ascending Phoenix (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Project X - Datsun Fairlady Z (Project X 240Z Challengers) (Paperback)

This manga tells the story of the development of the Datsun 240Z. It depicts the challenges faced by the designers and proponents of the vehicle, both from within the company and from market forces. It depicts the businessmen involved properly, as heroic individuals, who overcome obstacle after obstacle in their pursuit of success. The manga demonstrates the virtues necessary for businesspeople to succeed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Third Book In A Fun, Interesting, Peculiar Series, November 7, 2007

By 

Christopher Cummings (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Project X - Datsun Fairlady Z (Project X 240Z Challengers) (Paperback)

I've said this before in my blog, but these Project X books are the kind of books I wished I'd studied in business school: As case studies in product design, as primers on the business culture differences between the US and Japan, as studies in how far people will go to succeed--the Project X books are simply fascinating.

While I'm not a Datsun fan myself, I am certainly more informed about the car now. But more importantly, what I found most appealing about this book, was how the creators manage to make the reader feel the importance of what's happening.

Put it this way: To the outside observer, watching some middle managers try to make a business venture work probably sounds as fun as reading a Powerpoint presentation--but Akira Yokoyama is able to make the reader feel like they're watching something epic and monumental, conveying exactly how the business people in this tale are feeling as they work hard to make their shared dream a reality.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Datsun Car guy likes book!, August 5, 2007

By 

P. Maley "Adam- Avid reader" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Project X - Datsun Fairlady Z (Project X 240Z Challengers) (Paperback)

I got this book not knowing what it was. A comic book read backwards, and right to left to boot. I thought I was getting a history book on Nissan and the Z car development.
It was a Great Book! It had a lot of early drawings of Datsun products and really told a great story and put all the Datsun characters and history into place. It was a light reading book and can be read in one evening. It will be in my Datsun book collection forever!