Shōji Kawamori: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m Fix lint errors
 
(46 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Japanese Anime creator and producer, screenwriter, visual artist, and mecha designer}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Shōji Kawamori
| name = Shōji Kawamori
Line 10: Line 11:
| nationality = Japanese
| nationality = Japanese
| other_names = Eiji Kurokawa
| other_names = Eiji Kurokawa
| known_for = ''[[Macross]]''<br/>''[[Diaclone]]''<br/>''[[Robotech]]''<br/>[[Transformers]]''<br/>''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]''
| known_for = ''[[Macross]]''<br/>''[[Diaclone]]''<br/>''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]''<br/>''[[Robotech]]'' (Macross Saga)<br/>[[Transformers (toyline)|''Transformers'' toyline]]
| occupation = [[Anime]] creator<br/>Producer<br/>Screenwriter<br/>Visual artist<br/>Mecha designer
| occupation = [[Anime]] creator<br/>Producer<br/>Screenwriter<br/>Visual artist<br/>Mecha designer
| employer = [[Satelight]]
| employer = [[Satelight]]
Line 17: Line 18:
{{Anime and manga}}
{{Anime and manga}}
[[File:Shoji Kawamori.jpg|thumb|Shōji Kawamori in his studio, in May 2011]]
[[File:Shoji Kawamori.jpg|thumb|Shōji Kawamori in his studio, in May 2011]]
{{nihongo|'''Shōji Kawamori'''|河森 正治|Kawamori Shōji|born February 20, 1960}} is a Japanese [[anime]] creator and producer, [[screenwriter]], visual artist, and [[mecha]] designer. He is best known for creating the ''[[Macross]]'' [[mecha anime]] franchise, and for his role in the creation of ''[[Robotech]]'' (originally adapted from ''Macross'') and ''[[Transformers]]'' (originally based on his ''[[Diaclone]]'' mech designs).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knott |first1=Kylie |title=The Japanese anime legend who designed Transformers toys |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2187735/he-created-macross-and-designed-transformers-toys-japanese |accessdate=16 April 2020 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=27 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="Forbes">{{cite news |last1=Barder |first1=Ollie |title=Shoji Kawamori, The Creator Hollywood Copies But Never Credits |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/ |accessdate=16 April 2020 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=December 10, 2015}}</ref> He is also known as the pioneer of transforming mecha, with some of his most iconic transforming mecha designs including the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] (from the ''Macross'' and ''Robotech'' franchises) and [[Optimus Prime]] (from the ''Transformers'' and ''Diaclone'' franchises).<ref name="Forbes"/>
{{nihongo|'''Shōji Kawamori'''|河森 正治|Kawamori Shōji|born February 20, 1960}} is a Japanese [[anime]] creator and producer, [[screenwriter]], visual artist, and [[mecha]] designer. He is best known for creating the ''[[Macross]]'' [[mecha anime]] franchise and the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toyline, which were in turn the basis for the ''[[Robotech]]'' and ''[[Transformers]]'' franchises, respectively. He is also known for creating ''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]'' anime series. He pioneered several innovative concepts in his works, such as transforming mecha (including the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] in ''Macross'' and [[Optimus Prime]] in ''Transformers'') and [[virtual idol]]s (including [[Lynn Minmay]] and [[Sharon Apple]] in the ''Macross'' franchise). His work has had a significant impact on popular culture, both in Japan and internationally.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Shoji Kawamori was born in Toyama, Japan in 1960. Later in his youth he attended [[Keio University]] in the late seventies and in the same years as ''Macross'' screenwriter [[Hiroshi Ōnogi]] and character designer [[Haruhiko Mikimoto]], where they became friends and founded a ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' fan club called "Gunsight One", a name the group would use years later during the development of the fictional world of the ''[[Macross]]'' series.<ref name="Gunsight-1">{{cite web | title=Translation & Cultural Notes | url=http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | work=The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes | publisher=[[AnimEigo]] | date=2001-12-21 | accessdate=2012-02-12 | quote=According to the liner notes of the AnimEigo DVD release of the Macross TV series ''Gunsight One'' was also the fanzine title of the ''Gundam'' fan club that creator Shoji Kawamori, character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, and writer Hiroshi Oonogi (members number 1, 2, and 3 of said club) founded while they were students at Keio University in Japan... | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230212437/http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | archivedate=2008-12-30 }}</ref>
Shoji Kawamori was born in Toyama, Japan in 1960. Later in his youth he attended [[Keio University]] in the late seventies and in the same years as ''Macross'' screenwriter [[Hiroshi Ōnogi]] and character designer [[Haruhiko Mikimoto]], where they became friends and founded a ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' fan club called "Gunsight One", a name the group would use years later during the development of the fictional world of the ''[[Macross]]'' series.<ref name="Gunsight-1">{{cite web | title=Translation & Cultural Notes | url=http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | work=The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes | publisher=[[AnimEigo]] | date=2001-12-21 | access-date=2012-02-12 | quote=According to the liner notes of the AnimEigo DVD release of the Macross TV series ''Gunsight One'' was also the fanzine title of the ''Gundam'' fan club that creator Shoji Kawamori, character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, and writer Hiroshi Oonogi (members number 1, 2, and 3 of said club) founded while they were students at Keio University in Japan... | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230212437/http://www.animeigo.com/Liner/MACROSS.t#1 | archive-date=2008-12-30 }}</ref>


==Anime creation and production==
==Anime creation and production==
Shoji Kawamori occasionally used the alias '''Eiji Kurokawa''' (黒河影次 ''Kurokawa Eiji'') early in his anime career when he started as a [[Teenager|teenage]] [[intern]] at [[Studio Nue]] and worked as assistant artist and animator there during the late seventies and early eighties. Later on his career Kawamori created or co-created the concepts which served as basis for several anime series such as ''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'', ''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]'', ''[[Earth Maiden Arjuna]]'', ''[[Genesis of Aquarion]]'', ''[[Macross 7]]'', ''[[Macross Frontier]]'', and ''[[Macross Delta]]''. His projects are usually noted to contain strong themes of [[love]], [[war]], [[spirituality]] or [[mysticism]], and [[ecological]] concern. Kawamori is currently executive director at the animation studio [[Satelight]].
Shoji Kawamori occasionally used the alias '''Eiji Kurokawa''' (黒河影次 ''Kurokawa Eiji'') early in his anime career when he started as a [[Teenager|teenage]] [[intern]] at [[Studio Nue]] and worked as assistant artist and animator there during the late seventies and early eighties. Later in his career Kawamori created or co-created the concepts which served as basis for several anime series such as ''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'', ''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]'', ''[[Earth Maiden Arjuna]]'', ''[[Genesis of Aquarion]]'', ''[[Macross 7]]'', ''[[Macross Frontier]]'', and ''[[Macross Delta]]''. His projects are usually noted to contain strong themes of [[love]], [[war]], [[spirituality]] or [[mysticism]], and [[ecological]] concern. Kawamori is currently executive director at the animation studio [[Satelight]].


==Mecha design==
==Mecha design==
Shoji Kawamori is also a visual artist and a [[mecha]] designer — projects featuring his designs range from 1983's ''[[Crusher Joe]]'' to 2005's ''[[Eureka Seven]]''. Also, each and every [[variable fighter]] from the official ''[[Macross]]'' series continuity has been designed by him.
Shoji Kawamori is also a visual artist and a [[mecha]] designer — projects featuring his designs range from 1983's ''[[Crusher Joe]]'' to 2005's ''[[Eureka Seven]]''. Also, each and every [[variable fighter]] from the official ''[[Macross]]'' series continuity has been designed by him.


Kawamori also helped to design various toys for the [[Takara]] toyline ''[[Diaclone]]'' in the early 1980s, many of which were later incorporated into [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Transformers (toy line)|Transformers]]'' toyline. Quite a few of them became iconic ''[[Transformers: Generation 1]]'' toy designs. Among them the first [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Optimus Prime]] ("Convoy") toy design, [[Prowl (Transformers)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (Transformers)|Bluestreak]], [[Smokescreen (Transformers)|Smokescreen]], Ironhide, and Ratchet. Over 20 years later, he returned to ''Transformers'' by designing both the Hybrid Style [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Convoy]] and the Masterpiece version of [[Starscream (Transformers)|Starscream]] for [[Takara]].
Kawamori also helped to design various toys for the [[Takara]] toyline ''[[Diaclone]]'' in the early 1980s, many of which were later incorporated into [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Transformers (toy line)|Transformers]]'' toyline. Quite a few of them became iconic ''[[Transformers: Generation 1]]'' toy designs. Among them the first [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Optimus Prime]] ("Convoy") toy design, [[Prowl (Transformers)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (Transformers)|Bluestreak]], [[Smokescreen (Transformers)|Smokescreen]], Ironhide, and Ratchet. In 2006, he designed both the Hybrid Style [[Optimus Prime (Transformers)|Convoy]] and the Masterpiece version of [[Starscream (Transformers)|Starscream]] for [[Takara]].


One of his key mech design innovations was the transforming mecha. Kawamori came up with the idea of transforming mechs while working on the ''Diaclone'' and ''Macross'' franchises in the early 1980s (such as the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] in ''Macross'' and ''Robotech''), with his ''Diaclone'' mechs later providing the basis for ''Transformers''. Some of Kawamori's most iconic transforming mecha designs include the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] from the ''Macross'' and ''Robotech'' franchises, and [[Optimus Prime]] (called Convoy in Japan) from the ''Transformers'' and ''Diaclone'' franchises.<ref name="Forbes"/>
One of his key mech design innovations was transforming mecha, which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. Kawamori came up with the idea of transforming mechs while working on the ''Diaclone'' and ''Macross'' franchises in the early 1980s (such as the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] in ''Macross'' and ''[[Robotech]]''), with his ''Diaclone'' mechs later providing the basis for ''Transformers''. Some of Kawamori's most iconic transforming mecha designs include the VF-1 Valkyrie from the ''Macross'' and ''Robotech'' franchises, and [[Optimus Prime]] (called Convoy in Japan) from the ''Transformers'' and ''Diaclone'' franchises.<ref name="Forbes"/>


In 2001, he brought his mecha design talent to real-life projects when he designed a variant of the [[Sony]] ''[[AIBO]]'' robotic [[dog]], the ''ERS-220''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eet.com/story/OEG20011108S0066|title=Sony robot goes to pieces for owners|first=Yoshiko|last=Hara|publisher=EE Times|date=2001-08-11|accessdate=2015-11-07}}</ref>
In 2001, he brought his mecha design talent to real-life projects when he designed a variant of the [[Sony]] ''[[AIBO]]'' robotic [[dog]], the ''ERS-220''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eet.com/story/OEG20011108S0066|title=Sony robot goes to pieces for owners|first=Yoshiko|last=Hara|publisher=EE Times|date=2001-08-11|access-date=2015-11-07}}</ref>


==Videography==
==Legacy==
Kawamori came up with several innovative concepts and helped create several franchises which had a significant impact on popular culture, both in Japan and internationally. One of his original ideas was the transforming [[mecha]], which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. He introduced the concept with ''[[Diaclone]]'' in 1980 and ''[[Macross]]'' in 1982, with some of his most iconic transforming mecha including the [[VF-1 Valkyrie]] from ''Macross'' (later adapted into ''[[Robotech]]'' in 1985) and Convoy from the 1983 ''Diaclone'' line (later called [[Optimus Prime]] in ''[[Transformers]]''). The concept later became more popular in the mid-1980s, with ''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?]]'' (1984) and ''[[Zeta Gundam]]'' (1985) in Japan, and with ''Robotech'' (1985 adaptation of ''Macross'') and ''Transformers'' (1986 adaptation of ''Diaclone'') in the West. In turn, ''Macross'' and ''Zeta Gundam'' became influential in Japan, while ''Robotech'' and ''Transformers'' became influential in the West, with ''Robotech'' helping to introduce [[anime]] to North America and ''Transformers'' influencing the [[Hollywood movie]] industry.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite news |last1=Barder |first1=Ollie |title=Shoji Kawamori, The Creator Hollywood Copies But Never Credits |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/12/10/shoji-kawamori-the-creator-hollywood-copies-but-never-credits/ |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=December 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name="scmp">{{cite news |last1=Knott |first1=Kylie |title=He created Macross and designed Transformers toys: Japanese anime legend Shoji Kawamori |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2187735/he-created-macross-and-designed-transformers-toys-japanese |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=27 February 2019}}</ref>

In addition to his innovative mecha design work, Kawamori also came up with innovative concepts in his character writing. In contrast to earlier [[mecha anime]] which focused on combatants, he wanted to portray a mecha conflict from the perspective of non-combatant civilians, which led to his creation of the fictional singer [[Lynn Minmay]] in ''Macross''.<ref name="Forbes"/> She went on to become the first [[virtual idol]]. Voiced by [[Mari Iijima]], Minmay was the first fictional idol singer to garner major real-world success, with the theme song "Do You Remember Love?" (from the film ''Macross: Do You Remember Love?'') reaching number seven on the [[Oricon]] music charts in Japan.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |last1=Eisenbeis |first1=Richard |title=The Fictional (Yet Amazingly Popular) Singers of Japan |url=https://kotaku.com/the-fictional-yet-amazingly-popular-singers-of-japan-5940894 |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=September 7, 2012 |language=en-us}}</ref> Kawamori later took the concept further in ''[[Macross Plus]]'' (1994) with the virtual idol [[Sharon Apple]], an [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) [[computer program]] who takes the form of an intergalactic [[pop star]].<ref name="Crunchyroll">{{cite news |last1=Rattray |first1=Tim |title=From Macross to Miku: A History of Virtual Idols |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2018/06/25-1/from-macross-to-miku-a-history-of-virtual-idols |access-date=16 April 2020 |work=[[Crunchyroll]] |date=June 25, 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref> The same year, he created ''[[Macross 7]]'' (1994), which featured the [[virtual band]] [[Fire Bomber]] who became a commercial success and spawned multiple CDs released in Japan.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Camp |first1=Brian |last2=Davis |first2=Julie |title=Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces |date=2011 |publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]] |isbn=978-1-61172-519-3 |page=163 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLc22hQhZGwC&pg=PT163}}</ref> The ''Macross'' franchise set the template for later virtual idols in the early 21st century, such as [[Hatsune Miku]] and [[Kizuna AI]].<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref name="Crunchyroll"/>

Another innovative character concept he came up with was the role of [[Misa Hayase]] in ''Macross'' (called [[Lisa Hayes]] in ''Robotech''), who was one of the main commanders of the Macross battleship. She was the boss and commanding officer of the fighter pilot protagonist [[Hikaru Ichijyo]] (called [[List of Robotech characters|Rick Hunter]] in ''Robotech''), and later his love interest. This was a scenario Kawamori came up with which he had not seen in any Hollywood movies before. A similar scenario, however, later appeared in the Hollywood movie ''[[Top Gun]]'' (1986). According to Kawamori, "Many people pointed out that later films like ''Top Gun'' copied that idea and setting, as well as including the combination of many songs and fighters too."<ref name="Forbes"/>

==Works==
===Anime===
===Anime===
====''Macross'' series====
====''Macross'' series====
Line 40: Line 48:
*''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?]]'' - Movie Concept Creator, Director, Mechanical Designer, Series Script Supervisor, Movie Story
*''[[Macross: Do You Remember Love?]]'' - Movie Concept Creator, Director, Mechanical Designer, Series Script Supervisor, Movie Story
*''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012]]'' - Executive Director, Compilation, Mechanical Designer
*''[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012]]'' - Executive Director, Compilation, Mechanical Designer
*''[[Macross Plus]]'' - Creator, Executive Director, Writer, Mechanical Design<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.animejump.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=35&page=1 |title=Shoji Kawamori: The Man, the Myth, the Mecha |work=Anime Jump |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106214129/http://www.animejump.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=35&page=1 |archivedate=6 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*''[[Macross Plus]]'' - Creator, Executive Director, Writer, Mechanical Design<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.animejump.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=35&page=1 |title=Shoji Kawamori: The Man, the Myth, the Mecha |work=Anime Jump |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106214129/http://www.animejump.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=35&page=1 |archive-date=6 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*''[[Macross 7]]'' - Creator, Writer, Supervisor, Mechanical Designer
*''[[Macross 7]]'' - Creator, Writer, Supervisor, Mechanical Designer
*''[[Macross Dynamite 7]]'' - Creator, Series Script Supervisor, Mechanical Designer, Ending Photography
*''[[Macross Dynamite 7]]'' - Creator, Series Script Supervisor, Mechanical Designer, Ending Photography
Line 48: Line 56:
*''[[Macross Delta]]'' - Creator, Main Director, Writer, Valkyrie Mechanical Designer
*''[[Macross Delta]]'' - Creator, Main Director, Writer, Valkyrie Mechanical Designer


Note: ''[[Macross II]]'' is the only animated ''Macross'' project in which Kawamori had no involvement.''
Note: ''[[Macross II]]'' is the only animated ''Macross'' project in which Kawamori had no involvement.


====Other anime====
====Other anime====
Line 63: Line 71:
*''[[Patlabor: The Movie]]'' - Mechanical Design (''Credited as Masaharu Kawamori'')
*''[[Patlabor: The Movie]]'' - Mechanical Design (''Credited as Masaharu Kawamori'')
*''[[Patlabor 2: The Movie]]'' - Mechanical Design (''Credited as Masaharu Kawamori'')
*''[[Patlabor 2: The Movie]]'' - Mechanical Design (''Credited as Masaharu Kawamori'')
*''[[WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3]] - Mechanical Design
*''[[WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3]]'' - Mechanical Design
*''[[Eureka Seven]]'' - Main Mechanic Design
*''[[Eureka Seven]]'' - Main Mechanic Design
*''[[Eureka Seven: AO]]'' - Nirvash Design
*''[[Eureka Seven: AO]]'' - Nirvash Design
Line 80: Line 88:
*''[[AKB0048]]'' - Original Creator, Director, Mechanical Design
*''[[AKB0048]]'' - Original Creator, Director, Mechanical Design
*''[[Ani*Kuri15]]'' - Director (ep. 4)
*''[[Ani*Kuri15]]'' - Director (ep. 4)
*''[[Robotech]]'' - Adapted from ''Macross''
*''[[Cowboy Bebop]]'' - Script (ep. 18), Stage Setting Cooperation
*''[[Cowboy Bebop]]'' - Script (ep. 18), Stage Setting Cooperation
*''[[Glass Fleet]]'' - Mechanical Design
*''[[Glass Fleet]]'' - Mechanical Design
Line 89: Line 98:
*''[[Techno Police 21C]]'' - Action Choreography Assistance and Mechanical Design
*''[[Techno Police 21C]]'' - Action Choreography Assistance and Mechanical Design
*''[[The Ultraman]]'' - Mechanical Design
*''[[The Ultraman]]'' - Mechanical Design

===Manga===
⚫
*''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]'' - Writer (illustrated by [[Katsu Aki]])

===Live-actions===
⚫
*''[[Gunhed (film)|Gunhed]]'' - Mechanical Design


===Video games===
===Video games===
*''[[Ace Combat Assault Horizon]]'' - Guest Designer
*''[[Ace Combat Assault Horizon]]'' - Guest Designer
*''[[Armored_Core_(video_game)|Armored Core]]'' - Mechanic Designer
*''[[Armored Core (video game)|Armored Core]]'' - Mechanic Designer
*''[[Armored Core: Project Phantasma]]'' - Mechanic Designer
*''[[Armored Core: Project Phantasma]]'' - Mechanic Designer
*''[[Armored Core: Master of Arena]]'' - Mechanic Designer
*''[[Armored Core: Master of Arena]]'' - Mechanic Designer
Line 109: Line 112:
*''[[Eureka Seven vol. 1: The New Wave]]'' - Main Mechanical Designer
*''[[Eureka Seven vol. 1: The New Wave]]'' - Main Mechanical Designer
*''[[Eureka Seven vol. 2: The New Vision]]'' - Main Mechanical Designer
*''[[Eureka Seven vol. 2: The New Vision]]'' - Main Mechanical Designer
*''[[MechWarrior 3050]]'' - Cover Art (Japanese Version)
*''[[Omega Boost]]'' - Mechanical Design Advisor, Supervisor, Mechanical/Costume Designer, Opening/Ending Movie Director
*''[[Omega Boost]]'' - Mechanical Design Advisor, Supervisor, Mechanical/Costume Designer, Opening/Ending Movie Director
*''[[Tech Romancer]]'' - Mechanical Design, Original Concept
*''[[Tech Romancer]]'' - Mechanical Design, Original Concept
*''[[Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy]]'' - Supervisor, Mechanical Designer, Animated Sequences Director
*''[[Macross 30: The Voice that Connects the Galaxy]]'' - Supervisor, Mechanical Designer, Animated Sequences Director
*''[[Daemon X Machina]]'' - Mechanic Designer
*''[[Daemon X Machina]]'' - Mechanic Designer
*''[[Devil May Cry 5]]'' - Designed the robotic arms, "Devil Breakers", found throughout the game. Gerbera GP01 was designed with Shoji Kawamori's past works in mind as inspiration. "Devil Breaker"<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2018/09/20/shoji-kawamori-finally-reveals-his-creative-involvement-with-devil-may-cry-5/#60aa92f2d6cb</ref>
*''[[Devil May Cry 5]]'' - Designed the robotic arms, "Devil Breakers", found throughout the game. Gerbera GP01 was designed with Shoji Kawamori's past works in mind as inspiration. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2018/09/20/shoji-kawamori-finally-reveals-his-creative-involvement-with-devil-may-cry-5/#60aa92f2d6cb|title = Shoji Kawamori Finally Reveals His Creative Involvement with 'Devil May Cry 5'| website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref>
*''[[Call of Duty: Mobile]]'' - Designed the Reaper skin, titled "Ashura".
*''Super Mecha Champions'' — Designed Playable Mecha "Pulsar"
*''[[Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon]]'' - Mechanical Designer


===Other works===
===Other work===
*''[[Diaclone]]'' (1980-1982, toyline) - Mecha design
*[[Thunderbirds Are Go (TV series)|''Thunderbirds are Go!/Thunderbirds are Go'' (2015 CG/Miniature Hybrid TV Series)]] - Designer for International Rescue Covert Ops Craft Thunderbird S (Thunderbird Shadow) piloted by Tanusha "Kayo" Kyrano
*''[[Transformers (toy line)|Transformers]]'' (1984, 2006, toyline) - Adapted from ''Diaclone'', mecha design
⚫
*''[[Gunhed (film)|Gunhed]]'' (1989, live action film) - Mechanical Design
⚫
*''[[The Vision of Escaflowne]]'' (1994, manga) - Writer
*[[Thunderbirds Are Go (TV series)|''Thunderbirds Are Go'']] (2015, animated TV series) - Mechanical Design<ref>{{cite web |last1=Loo |first1=Egan |title=Macross Creator Kawamori Designs New CG Thunderbirds Series' Plane |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-07/macross-creator-kawamori-designs-new-cg-thunderbirds-series-plane/.86850 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=7 October 2021 |date=7 April 2015}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 122: Line 133:


==External links==
==External links==
*Official site: [http://shojikawamori.jp Japanese], [http://shojikawamori.jp/en/ English]
*[http://www.satelight.co.jp/kawamori/ Shoji Kawamori Official site (Satelight)]
*[http://www.satelight.co.jp/kawamori/ Shoji Kawamori Official site (Satelight)]
*{{IMDb name|0442828}}
*{{IMDb name|0442828}}
Line 128: Line 140:
*[http://www.gearsonline.net/designers/#kawamori Shoji Kawamori] entry at [http://www.gearsonline.net/ Gears Online]
*[http://www.gearsonline.net/designers/#kawamori Shoji Kawamori] entry at [http://www.gearsonline.net/ Gears Online]


{{Shōji Kawamori}}
{{Macross series}}
{{Macross series}}


Line 133: Line 146:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kawamori, Shoji}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kawamori, Shoji}}
⚫
[[Category:Satelight]]
⚫
[[Category:Sunrise (company) people]]
⚫
[[Category:Anime directors]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Mechanical designers (mecha)]]
[[Category:Anime directors]]
[[Category:Anime screenwriters]]
[[Category:Anime screenwriters]]
[[Category:Mechanical designers (mecha)]]
[[Category:Macross]]
[[Category:Macross]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
⚫
[[Category:Satelight]]
⚫
[[Category:Sunrise (company) people]]
⚫
[[Category:Toy inventors]]

Latest revision as of 09:27, 6 September 2023

Shōji Kawamori
Taken during the 14th edition of Japan Expo in 2013 organised at the 'Parc de expositions of Villepinte near Paris in France
Born (1960-02-20) February 20, 1960 (age 64)
Toyama City, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Other namesEiji Kurokawa
Occupation(s)Anime creator
Producer
Screenwriter
Visual artist
Mecha designer
EmployerSatelight
Known forMacross
Diaclone
The Vision of Escaflowne
Robotech (Macross Saga)
Transformers toyline
Part of a series on
Anime and manga
Anime
Manga
Demographic groups
Genres
People
Fandom
General
icon Anime and manga portal
Shōji Kawamori in his studio, in May 2011

Shōji Kawamori (河森 正治, Kawamori Shōji, born February 20, 1960) is a Japanese anime creator and producer, screenwriter, visual artist, and mecha designer. He is best known for creating the Macross mecha anime franchise and the Diaclone toyline, which were in turn the basis for the Robotech and Transformers franchises, respectively. He is also known for creating The Vision of Escaflowne anime series. He pioneered several innovative concepts in his works, such as transforming mecha (including the VF-1 Valkyrie in Macross and Optimus Prime in Transformers) and virtual idols (including Lynn Minmay and Sharon Apple in the Macross franchise). His work has had a significant impact on popular culture, both in Japan and internationally.

Personal life[edit]

Shoji Kawamori was born in Toyama, Japan in 1960. Later in his youth he attended Keio University in the late seventies and in the same years as Macross screenwriter Hiroshi Ōnogi and character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, where they became friends and founded a Mobile Suit Gundam fan club called "Gunsight One", a name the group would use years later during the development of the fictional world of the Macross series.[1]

Anime creation and production[edit]

Shoji Kawamori occasionally used the alias Eiji Kurokawa (黒河影次 Kurokawa Eiji) early in his anime career when he started as a teenage intern at Studio Nue and worked as assistant artist and animator there during the late seventies and early eighties. Later in his career Kawamori created or co-created the concepts which served as basis for several anime series such as Super Dimension Fortress Macross, The Vision of Escaflowne, Earth Maiden Arjuna, Genesis of Aquarion, Macross 7, Macross Frontier, and Macross Delta. His projects are usually noted to contain strong themes of love, war, spirituality or mysticism, and ecological concern. Kawamori is currently executive director at the animation studio Satelight.

Mecha design[edit]

Shoji Kawamori is also a visual artist and a mecha designer — projects featuring his designs range from 1983's Crusher Joe to 2005's Eureka Seven. Also, each and every variable fighter from the official Macross series continuity has been designed by him.

Kawamori also helped to design various toys for the Takara toyline Diaclone in the early 1980s, many of which were later incorporated into Hasbro's Transformers toyline. Quite a few of them became iconic Transformers: Generation 1 toy designs. Among them the first Optimus Prime ("Convoy") toy design, Prowl, Bluestreak, Smokescreen, Ironhide, and Ratchet. In 2006, he designed both the Hybrid Style Convoy and the Masterpiece version of Starscream for Takara.

One of his key mech design innovations was transforming mecha, which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. Kawamori came up with the idea of transforming mechs while working on the Diaclone and Macross franchises in the early 1980s (such as the VF-1 Valkyrie in Macross and Robotech), with his Diaclone mechs later providing the basis for Transformers. Some of Kawamori's most iconic transforming mecha designs include the VF-1 Valkyrie from the Macross and Robotech franchises, and Optimus Prime (called Convoy in Japan) from the Transformers and Diaclone franchises.[2]

In 2001, he brought his mecha design talent to real-life projects when he designed a variant of the Sony AIBO robotic dog, the ERS-220.[3]

Legacy[edit]

Kawamori came up with several innovative concepts and helped create several franchises which had a significant impact on popular culture, both in Japan and internationally. One of his original ideas was the transforming mecha, which can transform between a standard vehicle (such as a fighter plane or transport truck) and a fighting mecha robot. He introduced the concept with Diaclone in 1980 and Macross in 1982, with some of his most iconic transforming mecha including the VF-1 Valkyrie from Macross (later adapted into Robotech in 1985) and Convoy from the 1983 Diaclone line (later called Optimus Prime in Transformers). The concept later became more popular in the mid-1980s, with Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984) and Zeta Gundam (1985) in Japan, and with Robotech (1985 adaptation of Macross) and Transformers (1986 adaptation of Diaclone) in the West. In turn, Macross and Zeta Gundam became influential in Japan, while Robotech and Transformers became influential in the West, with Robotech helping to introduce anime to North America and Transformers influencing the Hollywood movie industry.[2][4]

In addition to his innovative mecha design work, Kawamori also came up with innovative concepts in his character writing. In contrast to earlier mecha anime which focused on combatants, he wanted to portray a mecha conflict from the perspective of non-combatant civilians, which led to his creation of the fictional singer Lynn Minmay in Macross.[2] She went on to become the first virtual idol. Voiced by Mari Iijima, Minmay was the first fictional idol singer to garner major real-world success, with the theme song "Do You Remember Love?" (from the film Macross: Do You Remember Love?) reaching number seven on the Oricon music charts in Japan.[5] Kawamori later took the concept further in Macross Plus (1994) with the virtual idol Sharon Apple, an artificial intelligence (AI) computer program who takes the form of an intergalactic pop star.[6] The same year, he created Macross 7 (1994), which featured the virtual band Fire Bomber who became a commercial success and spawned multiple CDs released in Japan.[7] The Macross franchise set the template for later virtual idols in the early 21st century, such as Hatsune Miku and Kizuna AI.[5][6]

Another innovative character concept he came up with was the role of Misa Hayase in Macross (called Lisa Hayes in Robotech), who was one of the main commanders of the Macross battleship. She was the boss and commanding officer of the fighter pilot protagonist Hikaru Ichijyo (called Rick Hunter in Robotech), and later his love interest. This was a scenario Kawamori came up with which he had not seen in any Hollywood movies before. A similar scenario, however, later appeared in the Hollywood movie Top Gun (1986). According to Kawamori, "Many people pointed out that later films like Top Gun copied that idea and setting, as well as including the combination of many songs and fighters too."[2]

Works[edit]

Anime[edit]

Macross series[edit]

Note: Macross II is the only animated Macross project in which Kawamori had no involvement.

Other anime[edit]

Video games[edit]

Other work[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Translation & Cultural Notes". The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Liner Notes. AnimEigo. 2001-12-21. Archived from the original on 2008-12-30. Retrieved 2012-02-12. According to the liner notes of the AnimEigo DVD release of the Macross TV series Gunsight One was also the fanzine title of the Gundam fan club that creator Shoji Kawamori, character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, and writer Hiroshi Oonogi (members number 1, 2, and 3 of said club) founded while they were students at Keio University in Japan...
  2. ^ a b c d Barder, Ollie (December 10, 2015). "Shoji Kawamori, The Creator Hollywood Copies But Never Credits". Forbes. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  3. ^ Hara, Yoshiko (2001-08-11). "Sony robot goes to pieces for owners". EE Times. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  4. ^ Knott, Kylie (27 February 2019). "He created Macross and designed Transformers toys: Japanese anime legend Shoji Kawamori". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b Eisenbeis, Richard (September 7, 2012). "The Fictional (Yet Amazingly Popular) Singers of Japan". Kotaku. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b Rattray, Tim (June 25, 2018). "From Macross to Miku: A History of Virtual Idols". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  7. ^ Camp, Brian; Davis, Julie (2011). Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces. Stone Bridge Press. p. 163. ISBN 978-1-61172-519-3.
  8. ^ "Shoji Kawamori: The Man, the Myth, the Mecha". Anime Jump. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007.
  9. ^ "Shoji Kawamori Finally Reveals His Creative Involvement with 'Devil May Cry 5'". Forbes.
  10. ^ Loo, Egan (7 April 2015). "Macross Creator Kawamori Designs New CG Thunderbirds Series' Plane". Anime News Network. Retrieved 7 October 2021.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shōji_Kawamori&oldid=1174099760"