Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 119: Matchmaking, Twin Dragons of Heaven and Earth

Gu Ming really tried to mention the matter of Narita Toru to Ishimori Shotaro, but he didn't specifically say it was about Man Gu. He just said that he was an art director he knew who had his own unique ideas in art design.

After hearing this, Shotaro Ishinomori said that it was no problem and they could meet.

Gu Ming went to ask Cheng Tianheng again, and Cheng Tianheng was stunned.

"Cartoonist? You're kidding me! How can I associate with a cartoonist?"

Narita Toru couldn't help scratching his head.

But thinking that Seven's suit design had been stuck recently and had been revised several times, he thought that if he could interact with other people, it might be of some help, so he agreed.

After the matchmaking was completed, Gu Ming made an appointment for the two and found a suitable place.

There is a new Saizeriya store that has just opened in Shinjuku. Kobayashi, the former owner of Yakuza, is now a full-time employee here and is said to be the store manager soon.

The environment of a family restaurant is actually very suitable for confidential conversations, because this type of restaurant uses a large number of walls to separate the private rooms, which can create a relatively private and quiet environment.

There is a soft sofa under your butt, a table, and food to eat. You can sit there all day with a cup of coffee.

This Thursday, Gu Ming invited both of them to a restaurant.

Shotaro Ishinomori arrived first and had been sitting for a while, while Gu Ming came a little later with Narita Toru.

The two looked at each other and had the same first impression.

Ishimori Shotaro only felt that the person in front of him was dark, thin, and short, but his eyes were bright and lively.

Toru Narita felt that Shotaro Ishimori was not a good person.

——He certainly doesn’t look like a good guy. He has a face full of flesh, a broad body, wears a leather jacket and a pair of brown goggles. At first glance, he looks no different from a Yakuza.

Gu Ming introduced the two of them, ordered drinks, and then they sat down.

Although the two were strangers, they were still polite and greeted each other, maintaining a certain distance between them.

Gu Ming simply took on the responsibility of breaking the ice.

"Mr. Onodera, didn't you come here by bike?"

"No, no, my hand is injured and it's inconvenient for me to come here, so I can only take a car."

"That's a shame... How did Mr. Narita get here?"

Narita Toru stared at Gu Ming.

You came with me, tell me how I got here!

Although these were some common topics, they still worked and allowed the two to gradually become familiar with each other.

Shotaro Ishimori naturally would not talk about the planning of Masked Man K. He just said that he encountered difficulties in character design and was thinking and collecting materials.

Narita Toru would not talk about Seven, but when they talked now, they found that they were in similar predicaments.

"Sometimes, I feel like doing this kind of image design is such a hassle. We're collaborating with TBS TV, and the last few designs I came up with are always overturned by them. Sometimes I really want to smash their heads open with a hammer to see what's inside!"

"Oh!! Narita-kun, do you have the same idea? I'm always troubled by this. Toei's requests are so troublesome, and I'm always dissatisfied. I don't know what they're thinking..."

Gu Ming leaned back slightly.

It turns out that Party B has similar ideas!

Hit the client's head with a hammer!
Having a common topic brought the relationship closer. After discussing the problems they encountered in detail, the situation became more obvious.

"The work must be straightforward!"

"Things for children to see should be brightly colored and eye-catching!"

"Actually, kids are really into stories about outer space these days."

"Hmm... I have some different ideas, like the cyborgs abducted by aliens."

"Cyborg? You just said cyborg, right?"

"..."

Gu Ming brought paper and pen at the right time, everything was ready.

The two of them talked and wrote, and also drew a few drafts.

Soon, two simplified images were released, with mechanized bodies like Optimus Prime, and the colors were red and blue respectively.

"This mechanized body is truly graceful!"

"I don't appreciate it. Of course people should behave like human beings."

“Robots are people too!”

Gu Ming looked down at the draft, then looked up at the two of them.

"Isn't this a wonderful design?"

After hearing this, Shotaro Ishinomori waved his hand.

There was no design to speak of for something like this that was just casually drawn; of course, he just drew whatever came to mind. However, Toei had very high standards, so he needed to design it carefully.

Narita Toru just drew it casually and didn't show his true strength.

Gu Ming then asked casually, "So what do these two guys do?"

"I don't know, it's just a robot."

"A robot from space."

Shotaro Ishimori was more lively: "Invaders from space, um, and then captured the Earthlings... Alas, they transformed the Earthlings into this. The transformed humans got out of control and started fighting the aliens."

Shotarou Ishimori paused, suddenly feeling that this statement sounded familiar.

It’s similar to the plan of Masked Man K!
Gu Ming was at a loss for a moment.

Speaking of which, Shotaro Ishimori is not only responsible for the design of Kamen Rider. He has provided image designs for many works of Toei. It’s just that Kamen Rider has been the subject of his design for the longest time and has the greatest influence.

For example, Shotaro Ishimori once collaborated with Toei on a work in 1976.

This work is also funded by TBS and co-produced with Toei.

"Universe Iron Man: Twin Dragons of Heaven and Earth".

This is a purely children's work.

As the name suggests, "zigongxiang" means things for children to see.

Most works will tell stories suitable for all ages. For example, although Kamen Rider is relatively simple, it often creates a rather thrilling atmosphere and is not entirely suitable for children to watch.

There are also some works that are purely for children, such as Kabuda, which has an uplifting tone, bright colors and cute images.

Cosmic Iron Man: Double Dragon is such a work, telling the story of a doctor being captured by invaders from outer space.

Well, another doctor was captured from Earth...

The doctor used alien technology to create two robots, namely the Twin Dragons of Heaven and Earth.

This kind of sub-production is relatively simple and the production cost is not high. In the end, Toei completed the production of an annual series with 48 episodes, which shows that the ratings are still acceptable.

——The Earth Dragon is played by Tsuyoshi Sasaki, also known as Kamen Rider No. 2.

Gu Ming thought for a moment and took the two drafts.

No matter whether they are the Twin Dragons of Heaven and Earth, accept them first, they might be useful!
Anyway, he thought it was useless for the two of them to have this.

With similar design languages, the two of them had more topics to talk about.

"Speaking of which, what kind of works do you usually work on as an art director, Narita-kun?"

"Some aliens, monsters, or something like that."

Toru Narita casually talked about some of his design concepts.

In his designs, Toru Narita rarely deviates from the human form, but if the human form is needed, he will combine some external objects.

After hearing this, Shotaro Ishinomori's eyes suddenly lit up.

Ugh!
He suddenly had a vague idea.

If insects and humans were combined to form a modified human, given that insects can lift weights several times their own weight, then the modified image would be more reasonable!

Watanabe Ryotoku said before that he would use a flying kick as the final kill. Speaking of flying kicks, the one who jumps so high is of course the locust!

There were also some things that Gu Ming had talked to him about before.

Shotarou Ishimori's eyes became brighter under his goggles.

Suddenly, he had an inspiration.

Narita Toru knew nothing about it and casually asked, "I heard that Mr. Onodera is a manga artist. I wonder what works Mr. Onodera has drawn?"

Ishimori Shotaro said, "What? You also know that I worked as an assistant to Mr. Osamu Tezuka at Tokiwaso?"

Narita Hiroshi:...?
Who asked you!

I'm still working as the art director in Wangu!
Shotaro Ishimori casually shared his thoughts.

He likes to create some streamlined designs, which often have good effects. At the same time, Shotaro Ishimori tends to tell some lonely stories.

Cheng Tianheng closed his eyes and pondered, when suddenly his eyes lit up.

Ugh!
He also has an idea.

But I still need to read the comics again to make a decision.

Gu Ming silently raised his hand and took a sip of coffee.