Though Keiji Inafune is often credited for fathering the Mega Man series, game designer "A.K" is the one responsible for conceptualizing the character long before Inafune's involvement. Simply put, without A.K, there would be no Mega Man today.A.K's always been a little bit on the quiet side when it comes to being communicating with the fanbase; but today he has a few words for the artists of UDON's Mega Man Tribute artbook:
"So this is the book you were telling me about. I didn't expect it to have so much volume. I flipped through a few pages just now, but... I don't really know what to say.
Back in the day, I never would have dreamed that a book like this would ever be released. It seems to me that the overseas fans have a different kind of passion for Mega Man. The pieces included in this book are quite mesmerizing...I can't help but be drawn in, and I find myself spending more time than you might think on each page.
Talk about variety. This book has left me speechless. I'm truly in awe. I feel like I am getting a look at the Mega Man that lives inside each and every one of these people. It's almost hard to believe that a game started by a few unknown, almost amateur team members has managed to influence so many people in such a powerful way. I am so delighted by this book!! Thank you for giving it to me.
I'll be going through it very slowly!" ~AK
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And thank you, A.K, for inspiring these artists to pump out such magnificent work. Mega Man Tribute is an awe inspiring testament to not only A.K, but every artist whose ever had a hand in designing these timeless characters. I'm sure each and every one of them are very humbled by your work.
If you haven't picked up Tribute, get on it! It's a great book -- now even greater with A.K's blessing!
Thanks for the tip, Matt!
Someone should send him Soul-Rokkuman's Art Buster Fan Book, so he can catch a glimpse of true Mega Man fandom.
ReplyDeleteThis is great to hear. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now.
ReplyDeleteProtodude, you pretty much said exactly what I would have, but I'll say it anyway:
ReplyDeleteThank you, A.K, for inspiring this great amount of fan love. Your little blue bomber has really come a long way from being a short, pudgy little boy-robot with an arm cannon, huh?
Yeah its true, in the western world, Mega man just seems to be loved so much. Its hard to say why. Maybe because we got Astro Boy so early on, or maybe because Pinocchio, who knows.
ReplyDeleteNice to know he likes the book. He should really talk a bit more. Id love to know his opinions on the franchise as a whole, how it is right now, etc etc.
@Joseph Collins:
ReplyDeleteAbout damn time I see someone give Akira Kitamura the recognition he deserves for the creation of the Rockman character.
You know, I've always attributed MM1's pudgy, chubby art style to Inafune rather than Kitamura.
...
...IT'S BEEN 25 YEARS, YET THE 8-BIT SPRITES HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATED TO MATCH THE CURRENT STYLE, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! LOOK AT DR. LIGHT! LOOK AT HIM!!!!!
#throwingapettyfitovernothing