MegaTokyo Japan
Congrats to comrade Fred Gallagher who is the creator of the immensely popular MegaTokyo - he makes it big in Japan too. A few words about Fred from his Wikipedia below.
Frederick Gallagher (born 1968) is an American illustrator who has become a full-time web cartoonist. He is best known as the artist, co-creator, and now full owner of Megatokyo. He also goes by the name of Piro, the main character of Megatokyo, whom he has stated is an idealized version of himself when he was in college. He took this name from the name of the cat in the visual novel Kanon.
Up until recently, his works have been targeted to folks outside of Japan but has been growing a following in the land of the rising sun - so much that they demanded a Japanese version of his works.
MegaTokyo Vol1 is available on Amazon Japan for 1,155 yen.
Some snaps from inside the book below.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
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Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Oooh good job Fred G.! Hmmmm... I wonder how the 1337 speak is translated in Japanese ^^;
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
i'm sure there are ways
ｗｗｗｗｗｗ
anime + games collector
is sure is a brill series to read especially on the site. at the moment it's in it's 10th chapter if i'm not misaten.
You can try listening to a Japanese artist, Gackt.
One of his new albums Koakuma Heaven (Little Devil Heaven, I think...).
He said that he tried to tried to write the song using 1337 speak, and you can try to find the original lyrics that show this.
Student
And a Kodansha box to boot. Don't see those much.
Student/Artist/Freelance Writer
Amazing, been following Fred a since the beginning, its great to see his hard work and dedication is being recognized.
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
oh wow I feel like motivated(?); can I say that? ^^;;
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
first time i'm hearing of megatokyo.
http://akari-nyan.deviantart.com/
YAY Megatokyo! Love their comics >w<'' Don't know why I stopped reading their stuff...should get back to it >x<''
Student
Probably because Fred stopped updating for weeks at a time? That's why I stopped and found other webcomics to read.
Student
http://geekorner.wordpress.com
Yeah.
Loved the comic, bought the first collection when it came out, then read the rest (until 640 or so at the time) in 10 hours on the site.
Then I followed, and then read every couple of months... but the story is so convoluted, and requires so much prior knowledge, that it doesn't work when you need to remember what happened the last time this character was present, oh, 100 strips back, or sometimes over a year and a half ago.
When it's done, I'll prolly read it all again.
Software Development Engineer in Test
http://anime.greywings.net
Wow, I remember starting Megatokyo back in high school. Amazing to see it be published in Japan.
Student/ Anime Club Leader at St. Joseph Secondary
http://haruhiist.blogspot.com/
yay for megatokyo! i always loved their stuff.
Student (University)
I hate it when westerners try to imitate the japanese style... I mean. I congratulate the guy for hitting it big in Japan, but when it comes to manga and anime, I personally prefer reading the ones made by Eastern artists and authors.
I guess I just like the Eastern style more. Like, compared to the mangas created by westerners, the Eastern style looks more... well Eastern.
Question for you folks: Although I'm sure there are many in the west who are really good at drawing Japanese style mangas, when it comes down to the drawing, are you able to tell if it was drawn by people from the west or people from the east. I can generally tell. Like, in this case, minitokyo, looks like it was western drawn, and doesn't have the "moe moe" factor that you see apparent in many Eastern mangas and animes.
Student of Computer Info. & Office Sys.
I totally, completely agree with you.
Never was a fan of this 'amerimanga' type stuff.
Domon Kasshu fanboy/ Starving Artist
http://tammaro.deviantart.com/
Well at least his art style has exceeded me in 4th grade =____________________=;;
Gundam Pilot (in training)
http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebarrett
not all Manga has to be Mainstream, artist using Eastern and Western art combined to create something even better is going to pay off 1 day when a diamond is found among the coal.
What a silly way to think. There is no Japanese way of drawing comics or "manga style". It's just that people are naturally influence by the stuff they are exposed to. Japanese people are exposed to pretty much only Japanese comics (manga) and this is why there exist so many clichés, tropes and visual similarities in manga. These days many western people are being exposed to manga and Japanese pop-culture (video games, anime etc.) as well, so they naturally pick up those same clichés too. I bet there are tons of people in the west who have only read Japanese comics. Now how do you expect these people to not be influenced by by what they read? It's not like there is some magical gene that makes Japanese (or Eastern as you say) people to draw in a certain way and western people to draw a different way.
That being said, Mega Tokyo is defiantly not manga. It's a western webcomic that is obviously quite influenced by manga and other Japanese pop-culture. If I wouldn't know that, then yes, I could not tell it's drawn by an American. It's not inked, so I could at least tell it's not mainstream manga.
Btw. Could you tell that fe. Gon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gon_%28manga%29), one of the greatest manga ever, was drawn by a Japanese person, if you wouldn't know?
(And no, I don't draw. ^^)
I messed up that link of course.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gon_%28manga%29
大學生
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/profile.php?id=738092313&ref=profile
+1 Its silly to restrict art. Imagine if real art worked the way you said, would each country only be allowed one way to paint? Art is art, regardless of the creator, and if the creator of Manga ART isn't Japanese, whats the big deal? It's like if someone freaked out if an American painted something in Impressionism because only "Western Europeans" were supposed to be allowed to do that.
Student/Prospective Anime Maker
http://thenightsshadow.animeblogger.net/
The big problem is that art can only be perused and critiqued by its purveyors.
Sure, you can say it looks more X or Y, but it only particularly works as an opinion. The main thing about art is that usually success finds itself in following the opinion of the crowd.
Website Developer - Aspiring Manga Artist.
http://winter-street.com
I can understand the cheapness of copy-cats and rip offs with eastern styles being emulated by western artists that don't really get it. I seen some really awful attempts at anime and manga from all different sources. The Japanese seem to do it better.
However, much of the popular manga art styles can be traced from a Japanese attempt at recreating Disney-esque characters. Westerners have been influenced by Japanese for a while too. There have been many fads among the European art culture in the past. Its all kind of a hybrid at the end of the day, but I agree in the way that I NEVER want an American publisher re-releasing my favorite mangas in an Americanized fashion.
Student
I believe that the "cheap rip-off" feeling that one gets from a Western drawn manga doesn't stem from so much the stereotypes, the unoriginality in character design and plot, or the mere fact that it's Western and not-Japanese as it does from the art itself. Japanese mangaka often start young and are trained in different styles of drawing as they work under different people. Some do go to art school, some don't, but all of them share a very fervent passion for their trade and are placed under very strict standards. If they are published themselves, they show a good array of basic drawing skills.
Western manga artists, however, mostly do it as a hobby and do not even bother learning the basics of any sort of drawing, especially shadow placement and anatomy. As such their art looks "weird" because of misplaced eyes, really strange proportions (not just legs that don't end, but the "where did her waist go?" phenomenon, &c), or have an unappealing flatness to them. Their only "guidebook" are other manga, which further stunts their ability to draw; think of it like a exponential - a derivative of a curve is only going to lose a dimension, not gain one.
tl;dr - Japanese mangaka look better because they go through years of artistic training and focus on it as a career, Western manga artists don't because they only learn from manga.
Student
http://ashorisreviews.wordpress.com/
So, you hate Avatar The Last Airbender I take it?
Hmmm... Did you know that the anime came from American cartoons? They wanted something to cheer up little kids in Japan during World War II.
So, anime otaku's of America are no better than anime otaku's of Japan? Anyone can draw in 'anime' style if they wanted to. -Anyone whose good at drawing that is.-
In fact, I know plenty of people who're good at drawing in anime style, and have seen few anime. -In fact, I know this one kid who knows how to draw like Miyazaki-Sensei.-
Keep your opinoins to yourself next time.
Everyone is entitle to their own opinion, but you should also keep an open mind to other opinions.
Fred is influence by Japanese anime but his style is his own. I believe that's what makes a true artist.
I understand where Cascade is coming from cause I've seen a lot of manga this or that rip offs. Sometimes I miss the old days when anime/manga wasn't so mainstream.
bum,hachi roku driver
I agree with Cascade but as you can see in some the blogs, there are Westerners coming very close to Eastern style.
Its getting harder to tell which art came from which place despite being originally from the East myself.
.................
*HINT* MY BIRTHDAY IS AUGUST 12TH *HINT*
http://www.facebook.com/TeresaStockroske
/- VV 3 $ o ^^ 3 !!!
^^ 3 6 @ 7 0 l< '/ 0
1 //
_/ @ l> @ // 3 $ 3 !!!!!
Young Grasshopper
http://miragestrike.blogspot.com
Took me a good 3mins to understand that.. ^^'
-needs to brush up on my 1337sp34k-
Multimedia Technology Student
http://thehappyninjadrawn.wordpress.com
I need to learn/brush up on my 1337 spe4k as well, I couldn't decipher the last two lines till Hawkie1337 did a translation ^^.
Student
http://anime.scripts.mit.edu/miteiru/
On the contrary, I'm quite surprised I understood that on the spot. O.o
Blue Suit Sapien with White Helmet
http://conrad501.wordpress.com/
what the heck does that mean???
Cook, avid manga reader, avid video game player
http://blogbygene.blogspot.com/
"awsome
megatokyo
in
japanese"
i think thats what it means but dont quote me on it.
Student
looks right (^_^)
*HINT* MY BIRTHDAY IS AUGUST 12TH *HINT*
http://www.facebook.com/TeresaStockroske
It's right.
For some reason it didn't add all the slashes.
???Confused???
I've known about MegaTokyo for a while...but haven't really followed it...maybe a good time to start...
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
Oh wow! So the dude made it big in Japan too, huh? I haven't read any one of his works yet although I have heard of his name before. Congratulations to him! :D
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Wow! Congratz to Fred Gallagher for the popular demand in Japan ^_^
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
I read some of it a long time ago and I didn't really see what was so special about it. ... I don't even think there was much of a plot to it either. It was just really random...
Student
Congrats Fred!!!
Student
http://situsaleatorius.blogspot.com
Congrats, awesome drawing skills
PhysicsMajor/Someting/Photo/Pharm Tech
http://www.cadha13.com/blog
Congrats to Fred. After watching Nadesico, Excel Saga, Kanon, Clannad, Haibane Renmei. I know who those references are from.
"Puchuu! Puchuu!" @ third photo.
Multimedia Technology Student
http://thehappyninjadrawn.wordpress.com
I really like Freds style of drawing. MegaTokyo is a great read because the story is really good. I've got to purchase the current volumes of MegaTokyo from the online store when I have money ^^. Nice job Fred!
大学の学生 １st year
http://otakunaka.blogspot.com/
I love this series what was awesome was watching his drawings get better and more detailed over time and also all the 1337ness he added to his strips ^_^
a guy who cares (sort of...)
I've started as a big MegaTokyo fan but after reading a couple of hundreds strips it all started to feel really tiring. The plot became so chaotic and erratic that it lost all its charm and I stopped following it. Somehow all the humour from the first strips went away and everything became so serious and really boring...
Young Grasshopper
http://miragestrike.blogspot.com
I read a few volumes at a library one time. Fun read indeed. ^^
Grats Fred! Junpei must be proud.
Otaku, US Army, Student (Political Science)
http://figure.tsuki-board.net/profile/Syaoran
Love Megatokyo and been following it for years and years. I let Fred know about my room for the previous room contest and he loved it as I have two Megatokyo blankets ^^ Haven't seen any other room with those blankets either. They are soooo soft ^^
Student and server admin
<3 Megatokyo!
Grats Fred! Keep on drawing!
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
keep up the good work! woot!
Brand and SEO Manager
http://metrogamer.wordpress.com
Haha oh wow. Not good news to me.
Student
yea somehow the language barrier might be abit much in a few of the convo's XD
Artist
http://monki.net/
Congrats to him! This gives me hope for my possible future there ^^
Web Designer & Game Developer
http://www.naffworld.co.uk/blog/
That's awesome, congrats to Fred! Discovered Megatokyo during my college days and have been a regular reader ever since, really should treat myself to the books sometime :)
student
http://listlessink.wordpress.com/
Never really liked Megatokyo, but good for him. ^ ^
Student
Wow nice going there Mr Fred Gallagher
Student
http://anime.scripts.mit.edu/miteiru/
Oh, wow. I haven't heard of MegaTokyo in a while but it is pretty neat.
doodler of stick figures with giant heads
I remembering reading his announcement about making a deal with Kodansha a long, long time ago, but to actually see the box and everything gives me such a nice feeling. =w= Makes me feel a small sense of pride go having been a fan of it since junior high
trainee at German Telekom
http://grew.themania.org/
Alf...?!
http://twitter.com/phossil
http://www.animoe.net
haha, YES!1 ALF does a little appeareance!! LOL. ^^
Student and full-time otaku
Nice work. The bottom 2 pics show that is't not from Japan, but looks very good nonetheless. And that a JP translation was demanded says enough methinks.....whish I could draw those girls at the top...
software manager
http://wawawawasuremono.com
wow that's amazing! i've been reading for awhile (though to be honest, not as diligently lately ^^;) ... he's come a long way! still have my original oversized pirogoeth poster ^^
About that......
hehehehe the megatokyo graphic novels are awesome to begin with
Computer science student
I heard about it for some time but never actually was that interested to find out more. Maybe that was a bad move!!
Student
Wow thats really cool. Does anyone know the reception from the manga where MegaTokyo is being sold?
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
Maa-ko-to? Piro-piro-piro!!! I didn't know he named himself after the Piro in Kanon. Tis cool.
College Student
http://bayonette.multiply.com
Wow, his work became big in Japan. Way to go, Mr. Fred!
Person who rolls around in bed reading manga
I'm really happy for megatokyo and everyone who had to do with it but... I feel like someone that was exclusive to us Americans has been sort of taken away... Siiigh. At least they didn't mirror image it to be read the Japanese way. Megatokyo got me through High School. Thanks Piro and Largo! I continue to this day to read up on the adventures! P.S. Miho is so cute its unbearable and Erika is so freakin' hot!
Artist in Training
I've always loved Mega-Tokyo. It's great to see it getting popular and it's equally awesome to see Manga from other countries being appreciated in Japan.
http://moemoekyun.wordpress.com
I like his style ^_^!
Student
http://cream77.deviantart.com/
Never got into mega tokyo.Liked the style though.
Design draftsperson
How good is the packaging! I cant really say a lot about it as i don't know a lot about it but will purchase this one tonight. That said my Japanese is fairly limited so pictures will be very helpful!
Tokyo J.
www.findingtokyo.com
Student
http://jyuichi-11.blogspot.com
If your Japanese is limited maybe get the English version?
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
hahahaha alf was in one panel ^0^
Coder
interesting, they didn't mirror it and just typeset the text left-to-right.
i wonder what japanese versions of manhwa look like?
Otaku Programmer
http://oufukunaga.wordpress.com
Born in 1968 , , ,
You see folks, age was never a limit to those who really tried.
Hats off to Fred!!
Student
http://kokost.deviantart.com/
The good old days with the early chapters... I miss the way the story flowed when Rodney "Largo" Caston was still around. Nice to see Megatokyo actually hit it off in Japan though!
IT tech support
http://www.quazacolt.com
holy cow... megatokyo...
nostalgia i am.
IT tech support
http://www.quazacolt.com
oh ya, as previous people commented:
HOW THE HELL YOU "JAPANIZE" 1337$|>34|<?!?!?!
XD
http://www.suzu-chan.de
Fred improved that much! I read the first volume of his work.
Last year he wanted to visit connichi (anime and manga convention in germany) but sadly he was not able to come. what a pitty...
Executive Seneschal of the Third Ward
http://phaeton99.deviantart.com/
I find it ironic that MegaTokyo is successful in Japan, given that it is a parody of so many manga tropes.
And yet, it pleases me me, too.
Art/Media
http://sgallen.wordpress.com/
Aw3S0m3! You found a copy of it ^^
Always wanted to see whats the JPN ver was like.
I've been reading MT since like... near the beginning since I was in college. Had a Megatokyo YakPack since... college as well ^^;
I see Penny Arcade :3
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
His works looks awesome...no wonder the they wanted him to do a Japanese version...
Web developer
Am I the only one that neither his art or his writing are that excellent?
I guess He is popular because he was one of the first "american mangaka" or maybe because he is just a nice fellow, I mean, you can't hate the guy when he hates himself so much (or used to).
It's probably both.
Student
Haven't heard of this before, will check out.
pwn3d by two big and a whole bunch of itty bitty dolls.
http://msgeek.insanejournal.com/
Sweet. I love the series, and have since I discovered it on the Web around 2001. Fred was the true talent between the two of them. Rodney was basically a storyman and Fred knows how to tell a good story too. It's not as gonzo but I like it nonetheless. Tohya Miho LIVES! (Well, maybe she doesn't LIVE like you and I, but she REMAINS nonetheless.)
Procrastinator, n00b blogger
http://zatsudan.wordpress.com
Whoa! MegaTokyo! It's been like 2 years since I read it... Guess I'll have plenty to read now XD
Civil Engineer, 토목 기사
The Vibrating Sheep of Death has been translated into Japanese and all is good with the world. ^^
Glad to see that everything worked out for both Danny and Fred by throwing away good paying salaried jobs and striking out on their own and doing what they loved. Though you can tell Fred misses being an Architect from time to time when he puts so much effort into drawing the details and perspective of the buildings in the series.
Student
OMG!! I love Megatokyo!!!
BUT I'm still waiting for vol. 6......any ideas??
unemployed machinist.. yeah
Been reading Megatokyo for a long time.. I'm happy for ol' Fred that he's finally getting the recognition that he deserves.
McMaster Mechanical Engineering & Management II
http://www.virtualinfusion.net/
That's great news! I used to read Megatokyo many moons ago, but to hear about it reaching an audience even in Japan shows that as long as you the dedication and motivation to keep going, good things can happen. Congrats to MT =)
Time Traveller/High School Student
http://thetsundere.wordpress.com/
Never heard of Megatokyo until now but looks great! ^^ shall have to check it out
To Aru Tenki Rain
http://kyourin7.blogspot.com/
wow ^w^ people like him inspire others to work harder XD ganbatte ne !!
Student / artist
http://Springs.deviantart.com
I tried reading Megatokyo long time ago. I don't know, it just doesn't "click" with me. I hope I'm not the only one who isn't a fan of Megatokyo D:
Freelancer
http://twitter.com/duynguyen
Hurray for Fred! Love his work.
Student
oh greatness! love megatokyo !
glad that fred is being wanted in japan !
Art Student/Freelancer
http://jenarwen.deviant.art.com
I don't know why this became an issue of whether OEL manga is good or bad but honestly. I know plenty of Americans who do an amazing job on the Japanese manga style and they AREN'T asian or from asia
Some examples:
http://jc-of-the-redflame.deviantart.com/art/Lani-Boss-fight-PG-23-102238593
http://kuri.deviantart.com/art/MAY-Ragnarok-Online-85341714
Besides what about nouvelle manga that's been published in Japan or manhua from China or manwha from Korea. Are these not valid? They've received recognition world wide too.
I have OEL manga series by Mark Crilley who actually spent a time living and working in Japan which is called "Miki Falls"
I'd like to buy myself some Nouvelle Manga but the only store I've seen carry it here charges several arms and legs because it's imported =(
College Student, Computer Science Major
http://www.projectsaber.com
I used to read MegaTokyo way back in the day. Don't know why I stopped reading it, slow updates maybe?
But I'm surprised at its popularity now. o_O
International Being of Mystery
http://oneandonlyjem.com
My husband used to be really big into MegaTokyo. Like Reltair, he hasn't read it in awhile. Makes you wonder O.o
Education specialist, IT content developer, crosscutural trainer, freelance translator / interpreter
http://smart.fm/users/xaky
Awesome! I used to follow MegaTokyo almost from the beginning. It's great to learn that they're now here in Japan! Congrats to them!
Freelance
http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Urashima
Congrats to Fred on his Japanese release of Megatokyo!
I've read Megatokyo ever since a good friend of mine introduced me to it in 2003. Since then I've always tried to make sure to check thrice weekly for the updates and such.
The forums for Megatokyo were fun for a bit too, it was like a separate community unto itself. Many people frequented the forums without ever really reading Megatokyo.
Keep up the good work!
College Freshmen
I've never heard of him, although I'm reminded of a wallpaper site for some reason. I'll be sure to check him out.
フリーター。
http://www.seizya.com/
I've known about this for quite a while. If I do get it, I just want to see how they translated Largo talk. Ha ha ha!
Over qualified underpaid commerce arbiter
I've known about this for a while, but seeing the actual product is always a blast. I got hyped after learning publishing giant Kodansha was interested, it meant something was REALLY going to happen....and it did. Congratulations to Megatokyo for a successful appearance in Japan! The five-volume boxed set is a nfity option for the Japanese reader as well.
Otaku, Student, Future Gumdam Pilot
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mesba_Bhuiya/679006435
I like the artwork, but I was too bored to read it at the time. I then forgot about it.
Scientist, unemployed.
http://fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com
I like this comic. Fred really puts a good amount of effort into it and it shows. And to see it finally in Japan is great. Go Fred!
i started reading that when it started publishing here. I'm glad to see that it's going other places too!
こうこうせい
http://stickymochi.blogspot.com
Hmm... time to start reading ^_^
Messaging specialist
http://saturdaymorningrobots.lithiumstate.nl/
I only like the first two books when Largo was still very prominent a figure.
I wonder if they will sort of "cut" or edit him in Japan ?
Seeing as that was ver 90's gamer centric comedy that he spouts that the Japanese might not get.
Tough I can imagine for Fred this is really really big and it's nice to see somebody who started out drawing a web comic making it to Japan.