Synopsis: Gallery Fake

Gallery Fake is a small art gallery situated on the wharf of Tokyo Bay, owned by Fujita Reiji (藤田 玲司), who was formerly a distinguished curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and was referred to as "the Professor" for his remarkable memory, outstanding aesthetic sense, dexterous painting restoration skills, and proficiency in many languages. Despite his impressive qualifications, Fujita resigned from the museum following workplace disagreements. He now operates as an art dealer, selling both legitimate and counterfeit works of art at exorbitant prices. His philosophy is that "those who lack an eye for beauty are likely to be taken advantage of. Deception can be a valuable tool for learning to differentiate between real and fake art." Nevertheless, Fujita is not a cheat; he genuinely appreciates art and acknowledges the effort that artists put into their creations. On occasion, he acquires pieces from dishonest politicians who use art as a means of accepting bribes. He also frequently restores vandalized artwork. Despite his efforts to keep his distance, he has a significant impact on people's lives, often attracting them to him involuntarily. Fun fact: Did you know that Gallery Fake was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1996?