Ken Ishikawa Explained

Ken Ishikawa
Birth Date:	June 28, 1948
Birth Place:	Karasuyama, Tochigi
Nationality:	Japanese
Known For:	Getter Robo
Occupation:	Manga artist

was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator (with Go Nagai) of the Getter Robo anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations. According to Nagai, he considered Ishikawa his greatest friend and ally.

Death

Ishikawa collapsed at a dinner banquet after golfing; he was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.^[1] The causes of death was acute heart failure.

Influences

Kazuki Nakashima, chief editor of the Getter Robo Saga compilation cited Ken Ishikawa as an influence when he worked on the series composition of the anime show, Gurren Lagann, and also gave a memorial address at his funeral. He also calls himself Ken Ishikawa's number one fan.

Ishikawa's early art is quite reminiscent of that of his mentor, Go Nagai.

An adaptation of Ishikawa's manga Gokudō Heiki was filmed as Yakuza Weapon in 2011. The film is dedicated to Ishikawa.^{[2] [3]}

Works

Manga

• Getter Robo Saga (with Go Nagai)
  • Getter Robo (6 vol) (1974–75)
  • Getter Robo Go (7 vol) (1990)
  • Shin Getter Robo (2 vol) (1997)
  • Getter Robo Arc (3 vol, uncompleted) (2002)
• Kyomu Senki (Records of Nothingness)
  • Kyomu Senshi MIROKU (6 vol) (1987-1990)
  • Shiragikimon
  • Ninpō Hannouji Kashinkoji Yōjutsu
  • 5000 Kōnen no Tora (1980-1982)
  • Dogra Senki
  • Jigen Seibutsuki Dogra
  • Jakiō Bakuretsu (1987)
  • Skull Killer Jakiō (2 vol) (1990)
• Cutey Honey (1 vol) (1973 manga adaptation that ran in Bouken Oh)
• Ultraman Taro (1973 manga adaptation that ran in Shonen Sunday)
• Majū Sensen (3 vol) (1975)
• Seimaden (Saint Devil) (1977)
• Battle Hawk (with Go Nagai) (1978)^[4]
• Machine Saurer (first 6 months only) (1978)
• Makai Tenshō (1986)
• Heaven and Earth (1987)
• Seiten Taisen Freeder Bag (2 Vol) (1990)
• Garou Densetsu (1994)
• Samurai Spirits (1 vol) (1995)
• MAGA (2000)
• Eurasia 1274 (2001)
• Super Robot Wars (2002)
• Shinsetsu Majū Sensen (4 vol) (2004)
• Musashi~Isetsu Kengō Denki~ (2005-2006)
• Aztekaiser (with Go Nagai) (2 vol)
• Bakumatsuden (3 vol)
• Dynamic Superobot (with Go Nagai)
• Godzilla
• Momotaro Jigokuken (1 vol)
• Makuh Hakken Den
• Southern Cross Kid (4 vol)
• Tsu Ku Mo Ranzo (1 vol)
• Gokudō Heiki (1996)

Anime

• Getter Robo Series (original manga) (1974)
• Great Mazinger vs. Getter Robo (original idea) (1975)
• Great Mazinger tai Getter Robo G - Kuuchuu Dai-Gekitotsu (original idea) (1975)
• Robby the Rascal (Cybot Robotchi) (original idea) (TV series, 1982–83; U.S.-released compilation film, 1985)
• Kyomu Senshi Miroku (Expunged Chronicle of Miroku) (original manga) (1989)
• Majū Sensen (Demon Beast Warfront), Beast Fighter (original manga) (1990)
• Getter Robo Go (original manga) (1992)
• Gin Rei (mecha design) (1994-1995)
• (character designer) (1992)
• Ninja Resurrection (original manga) (1997-1998)
• Getter Robo Armageddon (original manga) (1998)
• Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo (original manga) (2000)
• Beast Fighter, The Apocalypse (original manga) (2003)
• New Getter Robo (original manga) (2004)

Art books

• Majin Illustration Collection (3 vol)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Getta Robo Creator Dies . Anime News Network . 4 December 2013.
2. Web site: Austin Film Fest to Show Boys on the Run, Yakuza Weapon. Anime News Network. July 29, 2011. July 14, 2011.
3. Web site: Yakuza Weapon (極道兵器). Film Business Asia. Elley, Derek. July 15, 2011. July 29, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110728100158/http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/yakuza-weapon. July 28, 2011.
4. https://web.archive.org/web/20030819202058/http://www.japanhero.com/profiles/battle_hawk_profileL.htm Japan Hero > Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Tokusatsu Heroes and Anime Heroes