Samurais, Yakuza and Pretty Women: Ryoichi Ikegami Manga Illustration Style
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Model description
Trained on nineteen, mostly black and white, images by the Japanese master of realistic manga, Ryoichi Ikegami / ๆฑ ไธ้ผไธ. This artist is already 80 years old and is still going strong๐๐๐.
Known problems:
The model is a bit inflexible. If you have problem with the prompt, try lowering the weight to 0.8
Men tend to look like young, handsome yakuza, because the guy from Sanctuary dominated the training set.
Young girls tend to look like Mai, the Psychic Girl, because once again, she is over-represented in the training set.
From ChatGPT:
Ryoichi Ikegami (ๆฑ ไธ ้ผไธ) โ Master of Realistic Manga Art
Overview
Ryoichi Ikegami / ๆฑ ไธ้ผไธ (born in 1944) is a Japanese manga artist, renowned for his hyper-realistic art style and contributions to seinen (adult) manga. Known for his detailed, cinematic drawings and complex storytelling, Ikegami helped define the mature, gritty style of manga that emerged in the late 20th century. His works often explore crime, politics, and human nature, blending drama and action with psychological depth.
1. Early Life & Career
Born in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, in 1944.
Started his career as an assistant to Shigeru Mizuki, the legendary creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, specializing in yokai (Japanese spirits) art.
Developed a distinct realistic drawing style, influenced by Western comics and illustration.
Gained recognition in the 1970s for his work in seinen manga, aimed at older audiences.
2. Artistic Style & Themes
Known for his realistic, highly detailed illustrations, with a focus on anatomy, facial expressions, and urban environments.
Blends action, drama, and psychological tension in his stories.
Frequently draws gritty, noir-inspired narratives involving the yakuza, political intrigue, and espionage.
Cinematic paneling and pacing, reminiscent of films, make his stories dynamic and immersive.
3. Notable Works
๐ "Crying Freeman" (1986โ1988) โ Written by Kazuo Koike, this story follows a skilled assassin who sheds tears after each kill. Known for its mature themes, action, and sensual art, it became a worldwide hit.
๐ "Sanctuary" (1990โ1995) โ A political thriller, also written by Kazuo Koike, about two friends trying to change Japanโone through the criminal underworld and the other through politics.
๐ "Strain" (1996โ1998) โ A noir thriller filled with crime, corruption, and betrayal.
๐ "Heat" (1999โ2004) โ A story of a rising yakuza boss fighting for power in the dangerous streets of Tokyo.
๐ "Begin" (2016โ2019) โ A collaboration with Buronson, blending political intrigue with crime and action.
4. Influence & Legacy
Considered a pioneer of realistic manga art, inspiring a generation of manga artists in the seinen genre.
His works have been adapted into live-action films and anime (e.g., Crying Freeman).
Known for his lifelong collaborations with top writers like Kazuo Koike (of Lone Wolf and Cub) and Buronson (of Fist of the North Star).
His international appeal helped introduce mature-themed manga to Western audiences in the 1980s and 1990s.
Final Thoughts
Ryoichi Ikegamiโs mastery of realistic illustration and gripping storytelling set a new standard for seinen manga. His works, filled with action, intrigue, and psychological depth, remain classics in the manga world, continuing to captivate readers worldwide.