Japan Manga Artist Shirow Masamune Talks About His Works, AI, in Exclusive Interview; Exhibition Showcasing His Work Being Held in Tokyo
This year marks the 40th anniversary since Shirow's work first debuted. The artist, 63, also known for works like 'Appleseed,' has a devoted fan base around the world. The Setagaya Literary Museum in Tokyo is holding the first large-scale exhibition on his career.
Shirow, who has rarely been interviewed by the media, reflected on his career with deep emotion.
'I've created very few works, and have had so many works suspended, unpublished or rejected for various reasons,' Shirow said. 'I feel very fortunate to have been able to continue with my career this long.'
Shirow was raised in Kobe. His father provided illustrations for textbooks and other media, so Shirow was surrounded by art books and design magazines from an early age. He loved reading manga by Leiji Matsumoto and Go Nagai.After graduating from Osaka University of Arts, he later made his major debut with 'Appleseed,' which was published in 1985. Set in a world recovering from devastation, the story follows the exploits of former police officer Deunan and her cyborg partner Briareos. It became popular for its thoroughly thought-out setting and meticulously drawn machines and backgrounds.
His cyberpunk science fiction manga 'The Ghost in the Shell,' which began serialization in 1989, features Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg heroine belonging to Public Security Section 9. The work is set in a near future in which nations and ethnic groups survive despite a vast corporate network covering the planet. The work was a big influence on the creators who came after Shirow.
In 1995, the anime film 'Ghost in the Shell,' directed by Mamoru Oshii, was released. Oshii also directed its sequel, 'Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence,' which was released in 2004.
'I feel grateful [to Oshii and everyone involved] for having worked so hard on these films,' said Shirow. 'Personally, I prefer 'Innocence,' which really shows off Oshii's style.'
According to Kodansha Ltd., which publishes the manga, the series has sold more than 3.47 million copies in Japan and has been translated and published in 24 countries and regions, including the United States and Russia.
Expanding online society
Technology has advanced dramatically since 'The Ghost in the Shell' was first published in the 1980s. We are now constantly connected to the internet, just like in the manga.
Regarding the online society is expanding, Shirow said: 'There are many challenges, such as the misuse of AI by people with malicious intent and security concerns.'
'The world is becoming more interconnected and therefore smaller,' he added. 'At the same time, it is becoming more divided and fragmented, increasing the distance between us.''I think that today's society is in a state in which people cannot communicate through language, leading to the beginning of the collapse of the Tower of Babel,' he said. 'I hope the undesirable aspects of computerization don't become too influential.'
In 'The Ghost in the Shell,' a hacker called the 'Puppet Master,' who is considered the most unique in the history of cybercrime, appears and introduces himself as a living, thinking entity that was created in the sea of information. It depicts a world in which AI, which once functioned only as programmed, has an independent will.
When asked how he feels about AI in the real world, which has evolved dramatically and is getting closer to the world depicted in the work, Shirow said: 'The convenience of AI and its possibility of causing harm are two sides of the same coin. While it can open up the possibility of a brighter future, it can also be abused or used to incite people more easily than before.'
Shirow said, 'I hope those involved in its research and development will make every effort to develop AI correctly.'
Motoko Kusanagi, the main character in the work, is a cybernetic human described as a 'full-body prosthetic.' She has a 'cyberbrain' that can be connected to the net. The work also considers the relationship between the human body's physical senses and the mind.
'I think humans are complex and mysterious. Some systems are controlled by the brain, while others are physical reflexes. Then there are some body parts, such as the appendix, which can be removed,' Shirow said.
Future works
Shirow's works are characterized by occasional gags while giving detailed supplementary scientific and philosophical explanations provided outside the manga frame containing the art.
'I believe that by writing sentences outside the frames, I can reduce explanatory lines and conversations from the story.'
Shirow is currently creating illustrations and is busy preparing for the publication of an art book and other works.
'I still draw, plot and write regardless of day and night while living an irregular, unhealthy life,' Shirow said. 'I'll continue to create something every day, maintaining my personal best and changing nothing, not to be too ambitious or acquisitive. There is nothing else I want to do.'
He also said: 'My eyesight and physical strength are declining, and I have a big pile of books I've yet to read. It's a problem.'
He wrote in a lighthearted manner, mixing humor with his serious answers.Original drawings on display
A large-scale exhibition of original manga drawings by Shirow Masamune, titled 'The Exhibition of The World of Shirow Masamune — 'The Ghost in the Shell' and The Path of Creation —', is being held at the Setagaya Literary Museum in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo.
At the entrance to the exhibition space, visitors are greeted by a huge noren curtain with a manga panel printed with the words 'The net is vast and infinite' in Japanese, one of Motoko's famous lines from 'The Ghost in the Shell.'
About 440 items are on display, including many original manga drawings for his works, including from his debut work 'Appleseed.' Drawing tools and materials along with some of his favorite books are being exhibited.
Shirow's own comments can also be seen throughout the exhibition space. He reveals some unexpected aspects of his life, such as the fact that he does not use a smartphone nor post on social media. The worlds of his creations are vividly presented as if visitors were peering into Shirow's mind.
In a written interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun, Shirow said: 'I am very grateful for this opportunity. If such a large-scale exhibition of original manga drawings is possible for a 'small-scale, mercenary soldier-like manga artist' like me, I think the Japanese content industry will be able to delve more deeply into a wide variety of artists and their works.'
The exhibition will run through Aug. 17.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
01-08-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
GeGeGe no Kitaro The Stage 2025' Actor Yoshihiko Aramaki Speaks About His Role in New Stage Adaptation
Actor Yoshihiko Aramaki stars in 'GeGeGe no Kitaro The Stage 2025,' currently running at the Meijiza theater in Tokyo. 'GeGeGe no Kitaro' is a masterpiece manga series by the late Shigeru Mizuki. Since the manga first ran in 1965, it has been adapted into various anime, movies and TV series. '[The original manga] is satirical because it depicts values that change with the times and the foolishness and cunning of people,' Aramaki said about the appeal of the original manga series in an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun. 'It uses yokai [Japanese monsters] in order to portray the darkness of human beings rather than good and evil. I guess that is the reason why the manga series has been loved for so many years.'The stage play depicts a battle between Japanese yokai and Western yokai that want to conquer the world. Social media and an influencer appear in the play as well, to reflecting today's world. One day, protagonist Gegege no Kitaro, played by Aramaki, rescues a human woman who is being attacked and learns that the incident was caused by a Western yokai, a vampire played by Keisuke Ueda. A female vampire who possesses powerful magical powers, played by Yuko Asano, has also come over from the West. Meanwhile, Nezumiotoko (Mouse man), played by Akio Otsuka, has joined the Western yokai, aiming to make a fortune. This is the second time Aramaki has played Kitaro, after playing him in 2022. He grew up watching the anime adaptation of Kitaro. 'Kitaro is a survivor of a ghost tribe, as well as a friend of both the yokai and humans. He takes no one's side and makes impartial judgments, serving as a bridge between yokai and humans,' Aramaki explained. 'Kitaro could have stayed with yokai all his life, but in order to return the favor to Mizuki (a human character not to be confused with the author), who raised him, he created the yokai post, which accepts yokai-related problems, and sides with humans. I like him for his loyal attitude.'Aramaki has appeared in many 2.5-dimensional stage productions that adapt the world of a manga, anime or game, such as ones based on the game 'Ensemble Stars!' and the manga 'Bakuman.' How does he get into each character? The secret, Aramaki says, is to pay attention to the habits of the characters in the anime and other works. 'When I was a kid, I used to play with toy figures of characters and pretend to be them in my imaginary world,' he said. 'Having done that in the past helps me a lot and lets me recognize the characters' little habits when I watch anime. For example, I notice if a character tends to glance upwards, so I can quickly become the character. Preparing for a role is a process of going deeper into the character and their habits.' In his latest role, Aramaki is careful about the movements of his eyes. 'Kitaro is calm and composed and has staring eyes. In the anime adaptation, Kitaro also has distinctive eye movements and looks at people carefully. He never does things like simply glance at people,' he said before the theater production opened. As for Kitaro's inner world, he said, 'As a member of a ghost tribe, he is still a child, but Kitaro in the stage play is a little older than in the original manga series. He has gone through various experiences and is slightly more mature than in the original.' Parents opposed pursuing acting Aramaki, a Tokyo native, was born on Feb. 5, 1990. He dreamed of being an actor. His parents, however, strongly opposed the idea when he was a university student, so he decided to work toward his dream after graduating from university. Because of his late start, he developed a strategy to fulfill his dream in the shortest possible time. First, he set his sights on the musical 'Tennis no Ojisama' ('The Prince of Tennis'), which is seen as a gateway to success for young actors. He avoided big agencies because he did not want to get buried in the crowd. One week after an interview at an agency he applied to, there was an audition for the musical, and he got the role of Yujiro then, Aramaki has appeared in various popular plays. The work that marked a turning point for him was the stage adaptation of the online game 'Touken Ranbu,' in which he played the role of Yamanbagiri Kunihiro for about 100 performances in the 'Tenden' series. The stage production meant a lot to him, and he felt a strong emotional attachment to it, as he felt he had grown as an actor through the series. However, he said: 'I used a lot of physical strength for three months, and it was also tough mentally. After it was over, I felt like I was burnt out, or that I had had enough.' Aramaki was stagnant for a while. However, when he took on the challenge of producing, his love for stage plays was revived. He headed a stage production of his favorite epic saga 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' at the Meijiza theater. 'I came to understand the feelings of both actors and producers. Like Kitaro, who bridges the gap between humans and yokai, I think I can act as a bridge,' he said. Currently, not only does he appear on TV variety shows, but he is also a board member of the Japan 2.5-Dimensional Musical Association. Aramaki is also the president of his own agency and is involved in the training of young actors.'I want to express the universality and worldview that the author Mizuki likely wanted to portray in his 'GeGeGe no Kitaro' series and make the stage play something that inspires people's minds,' Aramaki said. 'The experience of seeing a stage play allows people to absorb feelings and various other things that they never knew existed, which then will be incorporated into their lives. I want to become a 'chameleon' actor so that people will say, 'I had no idea that Aramaki was playing the role.'' * * * * The stage play will run through Aug. 16 at the Meijiza theater in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. Tickets can be purchased through the theater's online ticket shop and various ticket agencies. It will be performed at the Shinkabukiza theater in Tennoji Ward, Osaka, Aug. 21-25. More information is at
Yomiuri Shimbun
29-07-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Princess Akiko of Mikasa Appreciates Exhibition about Shoso-in Imperial Treasures in Osaka
OSAKA — Princess Akiko of Mikasa viewed an exhibition displaying the splendor of the Shoso-in Imperial treasures at the Osaka Museum of History in Osaka on Monday. Princess Akiko spent about an hour appreciating artistic ultra-high-resolution 3D images of the treasures projected onto a screen at 'Shosoin THE SHOW – Japanese Imperial Treasures / Experience the history and the miracle!' after being received by a group including Takehiko Iida, head of the Office of the Shosoin Treasure House at the Imperial Household Agency, and Takayuki Tanaka, president of The Yomiuri Shimbun, Osaka. She also observed faithfully reconstructed replicas of some of the treasures, including that of the five-stringed biwa lute of red sandalwood with mother-of-pearl inlay. According to Iida, who guided Princess Akiko, when she visited a corner where visitors could smell the recreated scent of Ojukuko, also known as Ranjatai, — a piece of incense wood said to be the finest in the world — she said it was soft and befitting the name of Ojukuko, which literally means 'ripe yellow incense.' Organized by The Yomiuri Shimbun and others, the exhibition will run through Aug. 24.
Yomiuri Shimbun
22-07-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
PokéPark KANTO to Open in Spring 2026 Inside Japan's Yomiuriland; Pokémon Forest, Sedge Town Areas to House Over 600 Pokémon
Yomiuri Land Co. and The Yomiuri Shimbun announced on Tuesday that 'PokéPark KANTO,' an outdoor facility to be built within the Yomiuriland amusement park, will open in spring 2026. It will be the first permanent outdoor facility themed around Pokémon. It will be operated by PokéPark KANTO LLC, an enterprise jointly established between The Pokémon Company, Yomiuri Land Co., and The Yomiuri Shimbun. Yomiuriland straddles Inagi, Tokyo, and Kawasaki in the lush green Tama Hills. PokéPark KANTO, which is to be accessed through Yomiuriland, will cover an area of about 2.6 hectares and contain 'Pokémon Forest,' an area which makes use of the surrounding natural environment, and 'Sedge Town,' where visitors will be able to enjoy activities including meet-and-greets with Pokémon and Forest will have walking trails spanning 500 meters where visitors can observe the expressions and movements of Pokémon living there up close. Sedge Town will feature two attractions and give fans, both from around Japan and overseas, opportunities to gather and interact with each other. Yomiuri group companies and The Pokémon Company have already collaborated in various fields. The Yomiuri Shimbun began running an educational column for children titled 'Pokémon to Issho ni Oboeyo! Kotowaza Daihyakka' (Let's memorize a proverb encyclopedia with Pokémon!) in its morning edition in 2009. 'The Pokémon Ryuosen' — a Pokémon gaming event named after the Ryuo, the most prestigious championship in shogi — was held for the first time in 2014. Tickets for the new facility are scheduled to go on sale around autumn, and further details will be announced at a later date. ©2025 Pokémon. ©1995-2025 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.
