Ken Sugimori (杉森建) | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sugimori Ken January 27, 1966 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Known for | Video game design |
Notable work | Pokémon franchise; Pulseman; Drill Dozer |
Ken Sugimori (杉森建, Sugimori Ken) (born January 27, 1966 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director. He is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman.[1] Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon himself.[2] He has worked on the various Pokémon movies, trading cards, and other games like the Super Smash Bros. series.
Career[]
From early 1981 until 1986, Sugimori illustrated a gaming fanzine called Game Freak, which had been started by Satoshi Tajiri.[2] Sugimori discovered the magazine in a dōjinshi shop, and decided to get involved.[3] Eventually, the two decided to pitch an arcade game design idea to Namco; they reworked Game Freak into a development company and produced Mendel Palace.[4] Sugimori is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise and drew all of the original 151 Pokémon himself.[2] He has worked on the various Pokémon movies, trading cards, and other games.
For Pokémon Black and White, Sugimori directed a team of 17 people in designing new characters for the games, though he always drew the final designs. He drew much of his inspiration from observing animals in aquariums and zoos.[5] Sugimori has also written and illustrated original manga, including one which was distributed with pre-orders of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.[6] When he begins a new character, his process normally involves making a rough sketch, then tracing it on to film paper while polishing it and making the illustration more professional looking. After that, he draws the character many times, changing its proportions until he is satisfied.[7]
Works[]
Video game[]
Card Game[]
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Anime[]
Manga[]
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References[]
- ↑ Thomas, Lucas (23 July 2009). "Pulseman Review". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Gifford, Kevin (7 April 2008). "'Game Mag Weaseling': Just Checking In". GameSetWatch. Think Services. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Kohler, Chris (2004). Power-up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life. BradyGames. p. 238. ISBN 0-7440-0424-1.
- ↑ Barnholt, Ray (30 July 2008). "25 Sorta Significant Famicom Games: #19". 1UP.com. UGO Networks. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "DSで２作目の完全新作をつくること". Iwata Asks . Kyoto, Japan: Nintendo. 2010. p. 2. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Staff (13 March 2008). "Pokemon Pre-Order Offer". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Game Freak on Pokemon!". Computer and Video Games. Future Publishing. 30 May 2003. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=91965&skip=yes. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
External links[]
- Sugimori's blog(Japanese)
- Sugimori's twitter account (mostly Japanese)
