Kazuhiko Shimamoto's manga is a very passionate and intense work.
In a gag manga that isn't serious, the contrast between the earnestness and passion and the petty dialogue is hilarious and incredibly addictive.
The illustrations might seem a bit overwhelming to some, but I think they're very interesting.
This time, we will introduce some of his works along with some of his famous quotes.
Nine of Adversity
You might be wondering, "Why this manga now?", but it's actually very funny after all.
Although it's about baseball, it contains universal themes that can be applied to anything.
In short, it's a silly manga that's all about energy and passion.
Also, it might be a good book for learning sophistry.
The numerous powerful and inspiring quotes that push through the impossible offer encouragement to those of us living in today's weary society.
"If you dig deep enough, you'll find some dirt on everyone!"
"That's that, and this is this!"
I absolutely love those passionate yet petty phrases.
Also, the fact that the girls who appear are surprisingly cute is a big plus.
The following are some famous quotes.
"That's that!! This is this!!"
The outcome of a competition is ruthless.
You can't get by on idealism alone.
"Only six days left until the exam, including Sunday! God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day! I'll do it too!"
I am truly impressed by the grandeur of the idea of using God as a point of reference.
"If you dig deep enough, you'll find dirt on everyone!!"
Warm words that convey a sense of humanity.
"Even if it's a stretch, if it makes sense, that's all that matters!"
surely.
"Now, even if we don't win the Koshien tournament... we can't disband the baseball club!!"
This statement was made because the PTA got a little excited about the team's appearance in the Koshien tournament, which led to this arrogant remark.
It's the epitome of absurdity when a passionate character says something so petty.
Gyakkyou Nine (1) (Sunday GX Comics)
Burn, Pen! Roar, Pen! New Roar, Pen!
This manga features manga artist Honoo Moyuru as the protagonist, and depicts his struggles with editing, deadlines, and intense battles with other manga artists.
While there are certainly many exaggerated parts, there's a realism to it that prevents you from simply laughing it off as "that's obviously a lie."
The highlight is undoubtedly Professor Honoo's sophistry.
I find it really entertaining to read about how they incite others and act tough in seemingly hopeless situations.
When you think about it objectively, he might seem like a bad person as a manga artist, but he does have his own aesthetics, so he seems to have some kind of policy.
The difficulty of coming up with ideas, the strict deadlines, etc., make this a much better manga about being a manga artist than "Bakuman," and I would recommend it.
As you progress through the series, from Hoero Pen to Shin Hoero Pen, the character designs become cleaner and the artwork becomes easier to look at.
The story isn't just driven by passion; it features a large cast of characters, some technical plot developments, and has the feel of a mature, self-contained manga.
(Burn, Pen)
"We still have nine hours until 9 o'clock. If the manuscript is finished by 9 o'clock, we're free to do whatever we want in the meantime!!"
Those confident words are electrifying.
If it's not done, it'll be a disaster...
"I'm going to... sleep on purpose!!"
"Teacher, but we're running out of time..."
"Time doesn't control people... people control time!!"
This is a profound statement that offers a much-needed perspective to those of us living in today's fast-paced society.
(Roar, Pen)
"Deadlines are very similar to these traffic signs...there are standards that you should follow, but very few people actually follow them precisely...! Everyone goes a little over the deadline!!"
An excuse used to justify failing to meet deadlines.
This is a perfectly executed sophistry.
"No matter how hard I think, I can't come up with anything!! If I can't come up with anything... there's nothing I can do about it. That's why!! I came to see a movie!!"
It's also important to be defiant. And wow, you really love movies.
"It's a reckless plan to publish two stories in the same magazine! And I casually agreed to it, and now it's being published! When you think about it, I'm already struggling to keep up with the usual amount of work. There's no way I could do it without breaking 'something' in my body or mind!! And yet!!"
"But?"
"But I'm still planning to go out and have fun!!"
People who know better but still choose to be defiant are strong.
"You'll understand if you try! You'll never understand if you don't try!!"
That might be the truth.
"You can get by as a manga artist even if you're not a good person, but you need to know that you can't be an editor unless you're a good person! Do you understand?!"
I think this could also apply to celebrities and their managers, or company presidents and their secretaries.
However, the amazing thing is that he actually said it himself.
"Isn't it only natural that I pick and eat the fruit from a tree that I myself cultivated?!"
That's certainly true, but if a manga artist's approach becomes too easy, then...
I ordered the drink bar, but I don't actually want any drinks! What I really want is "just one idea"!
This is the heartfelt wish of a manga artist.
"Autobiographies should be written by manga artists first!!"
Comments that exaggerate famous people's autobiographies.
It's the exact opposite approach.
"If I watch that movie and can't come up with any ideas, I probably won't meet the deadline! It's a do-or-die situation!"
Creating a work of art requires this kind of tension, this life-or-death situation!
Maybe they just want to go see a movie?
Roar, Pen (1) (Sunday GX Comics)
Aoi Honoo
This is a story about the college life of Honoo Moyuru, a self-proclaimed genius aspiring manga artist.
Since the kanji characters are different from those used for Honoo-sensei in "Hoero Pen," it seems there is no direct connection.
However, even if you consider that this story depicts Professor Honoo's time as a university student, the content doesn't feel particularly out of place.
The title "Aoi Honoo" might actually represent the "inexperienced (blue) Honoo-sensei."
This work feels less like a gag manga and more like a non-fiction documentary about the debut of a manga artist.
(Although it is a work of fiction)
For those who love the cinematic techniques used in old manga, anime, and tokusatsu (special effects) shows, this is truly irresistible.
The protagonist, Homura, doesn't seem to have the same level of professionalism as Professor Honoo from "Hoero Pen," and comes across as an immature college student filled with unfounded confidence.
His actual skill level wasn't depicted for a while at first, but judging from the editor's reaction when he submitted his manga, it seems he has reached a decent level.
It seems there are many shortcomings...
The story centers around the genius Hideaki Anno, who is considered a rival, and features famous manga artists and others appearing under the titles of their actual works.
Partway through, he's given so much screen time that you could almost call him the other main character, and he almost overshadows the protagonist.
Since Mitsuru Adachi's "Miyuki" began serialization in Big Comic, the time period is presumably 1980.
It's not a manga that makes you laugh hysterically, but rather a work that, while incorporating gags, deals with the manga culture of that time.
Aoi Honoo (1) (Gessan Shonen Sunday Comics)
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