51 Otomo Katsuhiro $@BgM'9nMN(B
Description
This article is from the Manga FAQ, by Steve Pearl starbuck@cybercomm.net with numerous contributions by others.
51 Otomo Katsuhiro $@BgM'9nMN(B
Otomo has also worked as an illustrator, TV commercial director, and character
designer. Anime credits include Genma Taisen $B88KbBg@o(B, Koji Chushi Meirei
$B9);vCf;_L?Na(B (in Meikyu Monogatari $BLB5\J*8l(B [aka Manie Manie]) and
the title sequences of Robot Carnival.
Otomo's manga has been inspired right from the start by the work of the French
comic artist, Moebius (Jean Giraud). Currently, Otomo is believed to be working
on a movie based on Giraud's best-known work, La Garage Hermetique [The
Airtight Garage], featuring state-of-the-art computer animation.
Dozens of SF and fantasy manga-kas have been very heavily influenced by Otomo's
work - Aki Kyoma, Kinutani Yu, Oyama Akira $@Bg;3Nh(B, Tony Takezaki, and
Sakaguchi Hisashi $B:d8}(B $B>0(B (the artist of Version, published by
Ushio Shuppansha, 1991-2, 3 volumes @ Y900), to name a few.
(born 1954, Miyagi, Miyagi-ken)
------------------------
Sayonara Nippon $@$5$h$J$i$K$C$]$s(B - serialized on Action, 1982, Y670.
The experiences of two Japanese people who move to the US; one a judo
teacher, the other a guitarist.
Kibun mo Senso $B5$J,$O$b@oAh(B [aka Urge for War, Hard On] - serialized on
Action, 1982, Y830.
About three people involved in a fictional Sino-Soviet war. The work that
brought recognition to Otomo in Japan.
Domu $BF8L4(B - serialized on Action, 1983, Y810.
In an apartment block, psychic battles rage between a little girl and
evil, senile old man. A classic Otomo work, it was the first ever manga to
win an SF literature prize.
Hansel and Gretel $@%O%s%<%k$H%0%l!<%F%k(B - published by Sony Magazines,
Y1600.
AKIRA $@%"%-%i(B - serialized on Young Magazine, 1982-90, 6 volumes @ Y1200,
anime comics 5 volumes @ Y690.
In 2023, the teenage delinquent Kaneda and his motorbike gang ride through
the streets of Neo-Tokyo. Kaneda's unstable friend, Tetsuo, is the subject
of a secret military experiment which continues the work of the Akira
project - a project which accidentally started WWIII years before.
Tetsuo's new psychic powers lead to the revival of Akira, and Akira
destroys Neo-Tokyo in a moment of fury. While Tetsuo carves an empire out
of the ensuing chaos, his enemies - Kaneda, other psychics, and the US
military - prepare to take him out. But Tetsuo's powers are increasing,
and his ability to control them is decreasing...
AKIRA achieved spectacular success in the West, due to the careful English
adaptation of the manga and the technically dazzling anime movie. However,
Japanese readers lost interest towards the end of the manga, and the final
volume (whose ending slightly expanded on the original) took nearly three
years to be published. In the meantime, the English version remained
stalled at issue #33 for a number of years, apparently due to petty
problems with the colorist. It has since resumed, but the translation
quality of these last issues is extremely inadequate. #37 was a "tribute
issue" by American artists. Some scenes were redrawn for the later issues
of the English version, also.
AKIRA Club - artbook published by Kodansha, 1995, Y3500.
Contains pictures from all AKIRA-related merchandise.
Kanojo no Omoide... $@H`=w$NA[$$$G!D(B [aka Memories] - published by
Kodansha, 1990, Y980.
Includes the color Farewell to Weapons, Planet Tako, Fireball (in some
ways, the prototype for AKIRA), and other short mangas.
The Legend of Mother Sarah $@:;N.Me(B art by Nagayasu Takumi
$B$J$,$d$99*(B, - serialized on Young Magazine, 1990, 3 volumes @ Y1200.
The Earth is rendered uninhabitable by war, and the population flees to
orbiting space stations. Plans to make the Earth habitable again split the
survivors into opposing groups, and Sarah loses her children when there is
an exodus back to post-holocaust Earth. Each volume is the story of
Sarah's efforts to be reunited with her children. Nagayusu's art is always
technically impressive, but Otomo's story is cliched and dull.
World Apartment Horror $@%o!<%k%I%"%Q!<%H%a%s%H%[ %i!<(B art by Ima Satoshi
$@:#IR(B, - serialized on Young Magazine, 1991, Y800.
Yakuza vs. ethnic apartment residents.
ZeD - art by Okada Tai $@2,EDBd(B, serialized on Mr. Magazine, 1991, Y550.
The manufacturers of a hi-tech, fully-automated sickbed take an old man
away from his nurse, so that they can showcase their product; however, the
sickbed begins to run amok when they neglect the old man. An unusual and
thoughtful piece.
The manga is pretty scrappy, but the anime (known as Rojin Z is a nice
piece of work (for which Otomo only did the mecha designs). Character
designs were by Eguchi Hisashi $B9>8}!{;K(B, who is known for Age and
Stop! Hibari-kun (published by Futabasha, 3 volumes @ Y1000). Otomo was a
contributor to the debut issue of Comic Cue 1994, Eguchi's "alternative"
yearly manga magazine.
Highway Star $@%O%$%&%'%9%?!<(B artbook, - published by Futabasha, 1979.
KABA - artbook, published by Kodansha, 1989.
SOS Neo-Tokyo Exploration Party $B#S#O#SBgEl5~C58!Bb(B - published by
Kodansha, 1995.
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