Kariage-kun

Kariage-kun is a long-running four-panel gag manga series created by Japanese cartoonist Ueda Masashi. First serialized in 1980, the series centers on the titular protagonist, Kariage, a mischievous and irreverent salaryman who spends his days playing elaborate pranks on his boss and colleagues. The strip emerged during a period when the 'salaryman manga' genre was gaining popularity in Japan, providing a lighthearted, absurdist look at the rigid hierarchy of corporate office life.

The character design of Kariage is iconic for its simplicity, featuring a distinct, slightly unkempt appearance that contrasts with the serious expectations of the Japanese workforce. Ueda Masashi focused on a style of humor that relied on situational irony and social subversion rather than continuous narrative arcs. The series has remained a staple of the industry for decades, celebrated for its consistency and its ability to remain relevant through its satirical take on the evolving dynamics of the workplace.