Shotaro Ishinomori
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese manga artist
who became an influential figure in manga
, anime
, and tokusatsu
, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009
and Himitsu Sentai Goranger
, what would go on to become part of the Super Sentai
series, and the Kamen Rider Series
. He was twice awarded by the Shogakukan Manga Award
, in 1968 for Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae
and in 1988 for Hotel and Manga Nihon Keizai Nyumon. He was born and named in Tome, Miyagi
, and was also known as before 1986, when he changed his family name to Ishinomori with "".
, created in 1963, became the first superpowered hero team created in Japan, featuring nine cybernetic warriors. That same year, Kazumasa Hirai
and Jiro Kuwata
created Japan's first android superhero
, 8 Man
(which predated Ishinomori's Kikaider by nine years). The success of the tokusatsu
superhero
TV series Kamen Rider
, produced by Toei Company Ltd.
in 1971, led to the birth of the "Transforming" (henshin
) superhero
(human-sized superheroes who transform by doing a pose, and use martial arts
to fight henchmen and the weekly monster), and resulted in many sequel shows to this day. Ishinomori then created many similar superhero dramas, which were once again all produced by Toei or in Sarutobi Ecchan's case Toei Animation
, including Android Kikaider, Henshin Ninja Arashi, Inazuman
, Robotto Keiji
, Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (the first Super Sentai
series), Kaiketsu Zubat
, Akumaizer 3
, Sarutobi Ecchan
, the Toei Fushigi Comedy Series
and countless others. He even created popular children's shows such as Hoshi no Ko Chobin (Chobin, Child of the Stars, 1974, a co-production with Studio Zero which was a major success on Italian television), and Ganbare!! Robokon
.
Ishinomori's art is quite reminiscent of that of his mentor, Osamu Tezuka
. The true story of his first meeting with Tezuka was illustrated in a short four-page tale drawn up as supplementary material for the 1970s Astro Boy
manga reprints. Around 1955, Ishinomori submitted work to a contest seeking new talent in the magazine, Manga Shōnen. Tezuka was impressed by his drawings and asked Ishinomori to help him with Astro Boy. In the American release, this story can be seen in Volume 15, along with Ishinomori's earliest work on the "Electro" story arc.
Ishinomori also illustrated a comic adaptation of the Super NES
video game The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
, which was produced for the American publication Nintendo Power
. The comic consisted of 12 chapters, which were serialized from January 1992 (Volume 32) to December 1992 (Volume 43). The comic was republished as a graphic novel collection in 1993.
, a young and up and coming manga artists was contacted by an increasingly ill Shotaro Ishinomori and asked if he would do a continuation (though more along the lines of a remake) of his 100-page, one-shot manga from 1970, Skull Man
(the manga that became the basis for Kamen Rider
). Ishinomori, who had been one of Shimamoto's boyhood heroes, faxed him copies of the proposed story and plot notes. Shimamoto was astounded that he had been chosen to work on his idol's final, great work.
Shimamoto had already been involved in the revival of one of Ishinomori's other earlier works (including Kamen Rider
) but little did he dream that, as only one of many whom Ishinomori had inspired, he would be chosen for the final collaboration and resurrection of Skull Man. It was also recently adapted into an anime in 2007.
superhero
TV series, Voicelugger
, televised a year later. Two years later, the Kamen Rider Series
would be revived with Kamen Rider Kuuga
. All of the series made in the Heisei period credit Ishinomori as the creator. The Ishinomori Manga Museum
named in his honor opened in Ishinomaki, Miyagi
in 2001. Special trains in the Senseki Line
were commissioned featuring his artwork generally leading to the museum.
His work posthumously awarded him the Guinness World Record for most comics published by one author, totaling over 128,000 pages.
Mangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
who became an influential figure in manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, and tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009
Cyborg 009
is a manga created by Shotaro Ishinomori. It was serialized in many different magazines, including Monthly Shōnen King, Weekly Shōnen Magazine, Shōnen Big Comic, COM, Shōjo Comic, Weekly Shōnen Sunday, Monthly Shōnen Jump and Monthly Comic Nora in Japan...
and Himitsu Sentai Goranger
Himitsu Sentai Goranger
is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero television series. Gorenger, created by Shotaro Ishinomori, was the first in the long-running Super Sentai series of tokusatsu programming. Airing on NET from April 5, 1975 to March 26, 1977, the series had a total of 84 episodes...
, what would go on to become part of the Super Sentai
Super Sentai
The is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
series, and the Kamen Rider Series
Kamen Rider Series
The is a metaseries of manga and tokusatsu television programs and films created by manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. The various Kamen Rider media generally feature a motorcycle-riding superhero with an insect motif who fights supervillains often referred to as...
. He was twice awarded by the Shogakukan Manga Award
Shogakukan Manga Award
The is one of Japan's major manga awards, sponsored by Shogakukan Publishing. It has been awarded annually for serialized manga since 1955 and features candidates from a number of publishers.The current award categories are:...
, in 1968 for Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae
Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae
, sometimes translated as Sabu & Ichi's Arrest Warrant, is a manga series by Shotaro Ishimori originally published in Weekly Shōnen Sunday beginning in 1966. In April 1968, the series moved to serialization in the first issue of Big Comic, where it was published until the series ended four years...
and in 1988 for Hotel and Manga Nihon Keizai Nyumon. He was born and named in Tome, Miyagi
Tome, Miyagi
is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.Previously a district consisting of eight towns, on April 1, 2005, they, along with the town of Tsuyama formerly of Motoyoshi District, merged to form a new city. As of 2010, Tome city had an estimated population of 84,070 and a population density of...
, and was also known as before 1986, when he changed his family name to Ishinomori with "".
Body of work
Cyborg 009Cyborg 009
is a manga created by Shotaro Ishinomori. It was serialized in many different magazines, including Monthly Shōnen King, Weekly Shōnen Magazine, Shōnen Big Comic, COM, Shōjo Comic, Weekly Shōnen Sunday, Monthly Shōnen Jump and Monthly Comic Nora in Japan...
, created in 1963, became the first superpowered hero team created in Japan, featuring nine cybernetic warriors. That same year, Kazumasa Hirai
Kazumasa Hirai (author)
is a Japanese novelist from Yokosuka, Kanagawa. He graduated from Yokosuka Industrial High School and the law department of Chuo University. Hirai is well known for his SF-manga work...
and Jiro Kuwata
Jiro Kuwata
is a Japanese manga artist.-Biography:A gifted artist, Kuwata started out as a manga artist at the young age of 13, when he created in 1948. His turning point came in 1957, when he created . Since then, Kuwata devoted himself to creating science fiction/superhero adventures...
created Japan's first android superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
, 8 Man
8 Man
or is a fictional manga and anime superhero created in 1963 by science fiction writer Kazumasa Hirai and manga artist Jiro Kuwata. He is considered Japan's earliest cyborg superhero, predating even Kamen Rider , and was supposedly the inspiration for RoboCop.The manga was published in Weekly...
(which predated Ishinomori's Kikaider by nine years). The success of the tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
TV series Kamen Rider
Kamen Rider
, is a weekly science fiction story created by Japanese manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971 and ran until February 10, 1973, airing on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and NET TV . A manga adaptation was also featured in Shōnen Magazine...
, produced by Toei Company Ltd.
Toei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
in 1971, led to the birth of the "Transforming" (henshin
Henshin
is the Japanese word for "transformation," literally meaning, "to change or transform the body." This word is primarily used in manga, anime, and tokusatsu dramas for when a character transforms into a superhero. usually have a "henshin call", a catchphrase which they recite when they transform...
) superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
(human-sized superheroes who transform by doing a pose, and use martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
to fight henchmen and the weekly monster), and resulted in many sequel shows to this day. Ishinomori then created many similar superhero dramas, which were once again all produced by Toei or in Sarutobi Ecchan's case Toei Animation
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
, including Android Kikaider, Henshin Ninja Arashi, Inazuman
Inazuman
is a fictional character created by Shotaro Ishinomori. First appearing in the tokusatsu series of the same name, the mutant superhero has gone on to appear in manga and anime.-Inazuman Specs:Inazuman is, in reality, young college student , a mutant...
, Robotto Keiji
Robotto Keiji
is a tokusatsu superhero TV series. Created by Shotaro Ishinomori, the series was produced by Toei Company Ltd., and broadcast on Fuji TV from April 5 to September 27, 1973, with a total of 26 episodes....
, Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (the first Super Sentai
Super Sentai
The is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
series), Kaiketsu Zubat
Kaiketsu Zubat
, translated into English as Swift Hero Zubat, Extraordinary Zubat or Vigilante Zubat, is a tokusatsu superhero series that aired in 1977. Created by Shotaro Ishinomori, this 32-episode series , harkens back to tokusatsu superhero shows of the 1950s, but with a late-70s twist...
, Akumaizer 3
Akumaizer 3
is a Japanese science fiction tokusatsu television series, created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei Company. The series premiered on Tuesday October 7, 1975 at 7:30, and ran for 38 episodes in that timeslot on NET, now known as TV Asahi. The series remains obscure outside of Japan, but...
, Sarutobi Ecchan
Sarutobi Ecchan
is a magical girl manga series by Shotaro Ishinomori. It was originally named , but was changed in 1971 when Toei Animation adapted it into an anime called Sarutobi Ecchan. The anime was unsuccessful, and only lasted 26 episodes...
, the Toei Fushigi Comedy Series
Toei Fushigi Comedy Series
The is a series of Japanese tokusatsu programs produced by Toei Company that features various superheroes much like their Super Sentai and Kamen Rider Series. However these shows mainly focus on cute robots similar to Robocon, cute and unusual creatures, masked individuals who get tracked down by...
and countless others. He even created popular children's shows such as Hoshi no Ko Chobin (Chobin, Child of the Stars, 1974, a co-production with Studio Zero which was a major success on Italian television), and Ganbare!! Robokon
Ganbare!! Robokon
was a Japanese television program created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei. It ran for 118 episodes from October 4, 1974 to March 25, 1977 on NET TV. The series is rebooted in the 1999 series ....
.
Ishinomori's art is quite reminiscent of that of his mentor, Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
. The true story of his first meeting with Tezuka was illustrated in a short four-page tale drawn up as supplementary material for the 1970s Astro Boy
Astro Boy (1960s)
is a Japanese manga series first published in 1952 and television program first broadcast in Japan in 1963. The story follows the adventures of a robot named Astro Boy and a selection of other characters along the way....
manga reprints. Around 1955, Ishinomori submitted work to a contest seeking new talent in the magazine, Manga Shōnen. Tezuka was impressed by his drawings and asked Ishinomori to help him with Astro Boy. In the American release, this story can be seen in Volume 15, along with Ishinomori's earliest work on the "Electro" story arc.
Ishinomori also illustrated a comic adaptation of the Super NES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
video game The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, known as in Japan, is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game console, and the third installment in The Legend of Zelda series. It was first released in Japan in 1991, and was...
, which was produced for the American publication Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
. The comic consisted of 12 chapters, which were serialized from January 1992 (Volume 32) to December 1992 (Volume 43). The comic was republished as a graphic novel collection in 1993.
Later life
At the end of 1997, Kazuhiko ShimamotoKazuhiko Shimamoto
is a Japanese manga artist. He attended college at the Osaka University of Arts in the fine arts department. While in college in 1982, he debuted in the February special issue of Shōnen Sunday with Hissatsu no Denkousei. At this point he dropped out of college and devoted his energies to becoming a...
, a young and up and coming manga artists was contacted by an increasingly ill Shotaro Ishinomori and asked if he would do a continuation (though more along the lines of a remake) of his 100-page, one-shot manga from 1970, Skull Man
Skull Man
is a manga series created by Shotaro Ishinomori which first appeared in Shōnen Magazine in 1970 and immediately caused a sensation, selling over 1.5 million copies. The hero, orphaned when his parents were murdered, grows up to use his peculiar powers to take his revenge...
(the manga that became the basis for Kamen Rider
Kamen Rider
, is a weekly science fiction story created by Japanese manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971 and ran until February 10, 1973, airing on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and NET TV . A manga adaptation was also featured in Shōnen Magazine...
). Ishinomori, who had been one of Shimamoto's boyhood heroes, faxed him copies of the proposed story and plot notes. Shimamoto was astounded that he had been chosen to work on his idol's final, great work.
Shimamoto had already been involved in the revival of one of Ishinomori's other earlier works (including Kamen Rider
Kamen Rider
, is a weekly science fiction story created by Japanese manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971 and ran until February 10, 1973, airing on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and NET TV . A manga adaptation was also featured in Shōnen Magazine...
) but little did he dream that, as only one of many whom Ishinomori had inspired, he would be chosen for the final collaboration and resurrection of Skull Man. It was also recently adapted into an anime in 2007.
Death
Ishinomori died of heart failure on January 28, 1998 just 3 days after his 60th birthday. His final work was the tokusatsuTokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
TV series, Voicelugger
Voicelugger
is a Japanese tokusatsu that aired from January 12 to March 30, 1999. It was the last production by Shotaro Ishinomori, released posthumously, who intended for the series to be serious, while it was originally written to be a parody of older tokusatsu programs...
, televised a year later. Two years later, the Kamen Rider Series
Kamen Rider Series
The is a metaseries of manga and tokusatsu television programs and films created by manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. The various Kamen Rider media generally feature a motorcycle-riding superhero with an insect motif who fights supervillains often referred to as...
would be revived with Kamen Rider Kuuga
Kamen Rider Kuuga
is a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the tenth installment of the popular Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu shows and the first of the series to air entirely in the Heisei period. It was a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei, and was shown on TV Asahi from January...
. All of the series made in the Heisei period credit Ishinomori as the creator. The Ishinomori Manga Museum
Ishinomori Manga Museum
Ishinomori Manga Museum aka Ishinomori Mangattan Museum is a museum dedicated to the manga works of Shotaro Ishinomori, it sits on the bay facing the Pacific Ocean and Manga Island in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan. Not to be confused with Ishinomori Memorial Museum. It was opened in 2001.-External...
named in his honor opened in Ishinomaki, Miyagi
Ishinomaki, Miyagi
is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.As of January 1, 2010, the city had an estimated population of 164,294 and a population density of 295.83 persons per km²...
in 2001. Special trains in the Senseki Line
Senseki Line
The is a rail line in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it runs from Aoba-dōri Station in Sendai to Ishinomaki Station in Ishinomaki, and provides access to the central coast areas of Miyagi Prefecture, significantly the Matsushima area...
were commissioned featuring his artwork generally leading to the museum.
His work posthumously awarded him the Guinness World Record for most comics published by one author, totaling over 128,000 pages.
External links
- Ishimori Production Inc. - Official website
- Ishimori Production Inc. - Official website
- Ishimori Production Inc. - Official website
- Mangattan Museum website
- Shotaro Ishinomori Complete Comic Works
- Shotaro Ishinomori Memorial Museum - Official website