Masahide Motohashi
Description
Masahide Motohashi is a Japanese manga artist and original creator born on February 23, 1953, in Tokyo, Japan. He began his professional career in the late 1970s after receiving an honorable mention at the 16th Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Award in 1977 for his work Taxi Boogie. His debut serialized work, Choetsu Ginko, was published the same year. Motohashi is recognized for creating several manga series that were later adapted into other media, including both live-action films and anime productions.
Among his most notable original works is the manga Yankee Reppuutai, which stands as his longest-running series, totaling 28 volumes and serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Magazine. This action-oriented story, focused on a delinquent student skilled in fighting and his escapades with rival gangs, was adapted into an original video animation series as well as a live-action film in 1995. Another significant work is the comedy series Ladies!!, which also received adaptations. Motohashi's early career included a variety of comedy and sports manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine and other Kodansha publications, such as Hohoemi ni Yoroshiku, Han-ha ga Iku!!, and the football-focused Hohoemi Kikku Ofu.
Motohashi is perhaps best known in the context of anime as the original manga creator for Konpora Kid, also known by its Japanese title Konpora Kiddo. This manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine in 1985 and was adapted into a 26-episode television anime series produced by Toei Animation, directed by Kozo Morishita, and broadcast in 1985. The story is set in a near-future where an eight-year-old prodigy named Janas becomes a teacher at an elementary school. The existence of this adaptation, alongside the multiple live-action films based on his work, establishes Motohashi as a creator whose manga achieved sufficient popularity during the 1980s and 1990s to be adapted across different visual media. His artistic identity is rooted in comedic storytelling and youthful adventure, frequently depicting student life, friendly rivalries, and action-oriented scenarios with a humorous tone.
Among his most notable original works is the manga Yankee Reppuutai, which stands as his longest-running series, totaling 28 volumes and serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Magazine. This action-oriented story, focused on a delinquent student skilled in fighting and his escapades with rival gangs, was adapted into an original video animation series as well as a live-action film in 1995. Another significant work is the comedy series Ladies!!, which also received adaptations. Motohashi's early career included a variety of comedy and sports manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine and other Kodansha publications, such as Hohoemi ni Yoroshiku, Han-ha ga Iku!!, and the football-focused Hohoemi Kikku Ofu.
Motohashi is perhaps best known in the context of anime as the original manga creator for Konpora Kid, also known by its Japanese title Konpora Kiddo. This manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine in 1985 and was adapted into a 26-episode television anime series produced by Toei Animation, directed by Kozo Morishita, and broadcast in 1985. The story is set in a near-future where an eight-year-old prodigy named Janas becomes a teacher at an elementary school. The existence of this adaptation, alongside the multiple live-action films based on his work, establishes Motohashi as a creator whose manga achieved sufficient popularity during the 1980s and 1990s to be adapted across different visual media. His artistic identity is rooted in comedic storytelling and youthful adventure, frequently depicting student life, friendly rivalries, and action-oriented scenarios with a humorous tone.
Works
- Topics: Anime overview