Editing Hirofumi Ichikawa

[[File:Hirofumi Ichikawa 2022.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Every hair in his beard is a ''Binaltech'' spin-off.]]

'''Hirofumi Ichikawa''' (市川 裕文 ''Ichikawa Hirofumi'') is a Japanese author, illustrator and toy designer perhaps best known as the architect of the high-concept [[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|''Binaltech'']] and [[Transformers: Alternity|''Alternity'']] franchises. He's a noted ''Transformers'' fan who has made the jump to working on the brand in an official capacity for [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]. Prior to this, he wrote numerous fan-comics and magazines (called ''{{w|dōjinshi}}'' in Japan), mainly focusing on introducing Japanese fans to the [[Hasbro]]/American version of ''Transformers'' and the concepts and characters within. Among them was a very indignant magazine decrying the "[[Yoshikazu Iwanami|funny]]" dub of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' that was presented in Japan, as it had removed much of the "serious sci-fi" edge that had made the show immensely popular with the English-speaking fanbase. But perhaps his most well known pre-official work is ''Transformers Chronicles'', a sort of "bridge" story for his take on the lead-up to ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''. This book was translated to English, but has long since sold through its short run.

Ichikawa's art style is toy-based; his Transformers almost always have the toy's proportions and detailing down exactly, not approximations or "influenced" altered cartoon models. The only changes made are there to make them more "realistic" by adding in joints for motion that the toys may lack. These joints are always very realistic in terms of mechanical detailing of the pistons and rotating joints necessary for real-life machines, similar to the mechanical detailing artist [[E. J. Su]] employs. In terms of story, Ichikawa has a definite preference for the Western take of ''Transformers'', enjoying its more sci-fi-oriented and older-aimed feel, though he eschews the more metaphysical/mystical aspects of the fiction, especially [[Primus]].

Ichikawa worked as a translator for western comics, as well as writing, illustrating, and coloring ''[[X-Men]]: The Manga''. He also created promotional art for the Capcom game ''Marvel Super Heroes'' on the magazine Comic Gamest, as well as publishing his original story ''Boldor The Invincible Neighbour'' on [[Bandai]]'s sci-fi magazine, ''Cyber Comix''. As he has stepped back from working on the ''Transformers'' brand full time, he has since shifted his focus to his creator-owned projects like ''Boldor'' and ''Rainfall''.

==Writing==
===Prose stories===
====''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]''====
*"[[The Mysterious Temple in Space]]"
*"[[Master of the Game]]"
*"[[Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall]]"
*"[[The Extraordinary Reformat]]"
====''[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|Binaltech]]''====
*"[[Story of Binaltech]]"
====''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]''====
*"[[From Here to Alternity]]"
*"[[To Mega Therion]]"
*"[[The World Is Flat!]]"
*"[[Ace of Swords]]"
*"[[Foreshadows]]"
*"[[Hunt for the Planicrons]]"
*"[[Alternation]]"
====''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]''====
*"[[Noise & Smoke]]"
===Known toy bios===
{{creatorstub|Credits from notes sections across the site, interviews, social media etc etc}}
====''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Post-series releases|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''====
*[[Tigertrack#Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers|Tigertrack]]<ref name = MP>{{citesocial|quote=Not all, but yes. I wrote most of Diaclone/Microchange repaints bios, except MP Tigertrack/Clamp Down/Bluestreak/Enemy & other cassettes (though I did original e-Hobby and Encore).|link=https://twitter.com/Hirovmi/status/1604695336206815233?s=20&t=nkk0qz_bmz0rHavlkZQ_RA|site=Twitter|name=Hirofumi Ichikawa|year=2022|month=12|day=18}}</ref>
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#NucleonQuest|Nucleon Quest Super Convoy]]
====''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]''====
*[[Pepsi Convoy#The Transformers|Pepsi Convoy]]
====''[[The Transformers: Collector's Edition|Collector's Edition]]''====
{{collist|3|
*[[Road Rage (G1)#Collector's Edition|Road Rage]] and [[Crosscut (Autobot)#Collector's Edition|Crosscut]]
*[[Megaplex#Collector's Edition|Megaplex]]
*[[Clampdown (G1)#Collector's Edition|Clampdown]] and [[Deep Cover#Collector's Edition|Deep Cover]]
*[[Hauler#Collector's Edition|RoadHauler]] and [[Sunstorm (G1)#Collector's Edition|Sunstorm]]
*[[G1 GoBots#Collector's Edition|G1 GoBots]]<br>([[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Exclusive|Bug Bite]], [[Bad Boy#toys|Bad Boy]], [[Treds#toys|Treds]], [[Small Foot#toys|Small Foot]], [[Path Finder#toys|Path Finder]], and [[Road Ranger#toys|Road Ranger]])
*[[Insecticon clone#Collector's Edition|Insectron Clone Army]]<br>([[Zaptrap#Collector's Edition|Zaptrap]], [[Salvo (G1)#Collector's Edition|Salvo]], and [[Shothole#Collector's Edition|Shothole]])
*[[Overcharge (G1)#Collector's Edition|Overcharge]]
*[[Cobalt Sentry#Collector's Edition|Cobalt Sentries]]<br>([[Howlback (G1)#Collector's Edition|Howlback]] and [[Garboil (G1)#Collector's Edition|Garboil]])
*[[Magnificus (G1)#Collector's Edition|Magnificus]] and [[Ga'mede#Collector's Edition|Ga'Mede]]
*[[Blaster (G1)/toys#Collector's Edition|Twincast]] and [[Flip Sides (G1)#Collector's Edition|Flip Sides]]
}}

====''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]''<ref name = MP/>====
{{collist|3|
*[[Enemy (G1)#Encore|Enemy]]
*[[Wingthing (G1)#Encore|Wingthing]]
*[[Nightstalker (G1)#Encore|Nightstalker]]
*[[Stripes#Encore|Stripes]]
}}
====''Binaltech''====
{{collist|3|
*[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Lambor]]
*[[Hound (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Hound]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Streak]]
*[[Dead End (G1)#Alternators/Binaltech|Dead End]]
*[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Tracks]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#GT|Smokescreen GT]]
*[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Meister]]
*[[Swindle (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Swindle]]
*[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Grimlock]]
*[[Ravage (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Ravage]]
*[[Overdrive#Binaltech|Overdrive]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Laserwave]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Wheeljack]]
*[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Prowl]]
*[[Skids (G1)#Alternators/Binaltech|Skids]]
*[[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Binaltech|Black Convoy]]
*[[Mirage (G1)/toys#Binaltech|Rijie]] "Electro Disrupter Mode"
*[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#BinaltechBlue|Bluestreak]]
*[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Argent|Argent Meister]]
*[[Arcee (G1)/toys#Binaltech|Arcee]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Convoy]]
}}

====''Alternity''====
{{collist|3|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Alternity|Convoy]]<br> (Vibrant Red, Ultimate Metal Silver)
*[[Nemesis Prime (Universe)#Alternity 2|Convoy  - Super Black]]
*[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Alternity|Megatron]]<br>(Blade Silver, Premium LeMans Blue, Diamond Black)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Alternity|Bumble]]
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Alternity|Cliff]]
*[[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Alternity|Skywarp]]
*[[Starscream (G1)/toys#Alternity|Starscream]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Alternity|Thundercracker]]
<br><br><br><br><br>
}}

====''Masterpiece''<ref name = MP/>====
{{collist|3|
*[[Exhaust#Masterpiece|Exhaust]]
*[[Loudpedal#Masterpiece|Loudpedal]]
*[[Road Rage (G1)#Masterpiece|Road Rage]]
*[[Delta Magnus#Masterpiece|Delta Magnus]]<ref name = IDW>{{citesocial|quote=IDW様、表立った関わりはありませんでしたが、コミック発デザインの玩具図面を描いたり、デルタマグナスなどのバイオ設定でアイデアを拝借しました。僕が外観のデザインをした玩具キャラクターも沢山描いてくれましたし、何よりも素晴らしい物語で楽しませて頂きました。本当にありがとうございます！|link=https://twitter.com/Hirovmi/status/1603517745819025408|name=Hirofumi Ichikawa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=12|day=15}}</ref>
*[[Cordon (G1)#Masterpiece|Cordon]]
*[[Spin-Out (G1)#Masterpiece|Spin-Out]]
*[[Reboost#Masterpiece|Reboost]]
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)#Masterpiece|Crosscut]]
}}

===Other prose===
*"[[Beast Wars Universe]]" (co-written with [[Fumihiko Akiyama]])
*"[[World of the Transformers]]" (information database/website)
*Several entries of the Facebook version of [[Ask Vector Prime]]
==Comics==
===''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''===
*"[[Linkage (comic)|Linkage]]" 
===''Binaltech''===
*"[[Outlier (comic)|Outlier]]"
===''Alternity''===
*"[[Arch-Nemesis!]]"
*"[[To Die Game!]]"
===''Masterpiece''===
*[[Controverse]]
==Known packaging art==
===''[[Transformers: Beast Wars|Beast Wars]]''===
*[[Grizzly-1#Beast Wars|Grizzly-1]]
*[[Double Punch#Beast Wars|Double Punch]] with [[Beeline#Beast Wars|Beeline]]
===''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]''===
{{collist|3|
*[[Inferno (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Inferno]]
*[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Astrotrain]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Smokescreen]]
*[[Tracks (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Tracks]]
}}
===''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]''===
(reused from ''Transformers Collection'')
*[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Commemorative Series|Astrotrain]]
===''Binaltech''===
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Wheeljack]]

==Other illustration work==
*"World of the Transformers" illustrations
*"Beast Wars Reborn" illustrations
*[[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer]] {{w|LaserDisc}} and DVD pack-in booklets
**''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' Box 1 and 2
**''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010]]
*''[[Unofficial guidebooks|Cybertronian: The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide]] Volume 5 (front cover)
*[[BotCon Japan 1997]] commemorative T-shirt design
*[[The Transformers Classics]] Vol. 2 (Japanese reprint cover)

==Known toy design work==
===Deco===
[[File:Nucleon quest convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''====
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#NucleonQuest|Nucleon Quest Super Convoy]]
====''Collector's Edition''====
*[[Hauler#Collector's Edition|Road Hauler]]
*[[G1 GoBots#Collector's Edition|G1 Gobots]]<br>([[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Collector's Edition|Bug Bite]], [[Bad Boy#Collector's Edition|Bad Boy]], [[Treds#Collector's Edition|Treds]], [[Small Foot#Collector's Edition|Small Foot]], [[Path Finder#Collector's Edition|Path Finder]], and [[Road Ranger#Collector's Edition|Road Ranger]])
*[[Detritus (G1)#Collector's Edition|Detritus]]
{{-}}

===Detailing===
With the beginning of ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', Ichikawa was given the job of "mech design", taking the engineering designs of many toys and finalizing the aesthetic details, sculpts, etc. The toys he is known to have worked on include:

====''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''====
[[File:Energon Scorponok toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
;Energon Class
{{collist|3|
* [[Divebomb (Energon)#Toys|Divebomb]]
* [[Cruellock#Toys|Cruellock]]
}}
;Mega Class
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)#Energon|Wing Saber]]
;Command Class
* [[Scorponok (Energon)#Toys|Scorponok]]
;Leader Class
{{collist|3|
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Energon|Megatron]]
}}
;Supreme Class
* [[Omega Supreme (Energon)#Toys|Omega Supreme]]
{{-}}
====''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''====
[[File:Cybertron Primus toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
;Scout Class
* [[Undermine (Cybertron)#Toys|Undermine]]<ref name = "ATT">[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/7a64cbb8401be32a Personal correspondence between Ichikawa and Doug Dlin on alt.toys.transformers mentioning the Galaxy Force/Cybertron toys he worked on]</ref>
;Deluxe Class
{{collist|3|
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Cybertron|Hot Shot]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
* [[Snarl (Cybertron)#Toys|Snarl]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
* [[Crosswise (Cybertron)#Toys|Crosswise]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
* [[Downshift (Energon)#Cybertron|Downshift]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
}}
;Voyager Class
{{collist|3|
* [[Vector Prime#Cybertron|Vector Prime]] with [[Safeguard (Cybertron)#Cybertron|Safeguard]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Voyager|Leobreaker]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
}}
;Ultra Class
{{collist|3|
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)#Toys|Scourge]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)#Cybertron|Wing Saber]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
}}
;Leader Class
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Cybertron|Optimus Prime]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
;Supreme Class
* [[Primus#Cybertron|Primus]]<ref name = "ATT"/>
{{creatorstub|Everything between 2006 and 2019}}

====''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]''====
=====''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]''=====
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-toy-Slammer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Generations Selects|Combat Megatron]]<ref name = IDW/>
=====''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]''=====
{{collist|3|
*[[Thrust (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Thrust]]
*[[Runamuck (G1)#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Runamuck]]
*[[Fasttrack (G1)#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Fasttrack]]
}}
=====''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]''=====
*[[Slammer#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Slammer]]
=====''[[Studio Series]]''=====
* [[Brawn (ROTF)#Studio Series|''Bumblebee'' Brawn]] (drill only)
======''Studio Series'' '86======
[[File:TF-Legacy-Core-Bombburst.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
*[[Wheelie (G1)#SSCore|Core Class Wheelie]]
=====''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]''=====
{{collist|3|
*[[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Legacy|Blitzwing]]
*[[Pointblank#Legacy|Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker#Legacy|Autobot Peacemaker]]
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)#Legacy|Bomb-burst]]
}}
======''[[Transformers: Legacy#Exclusives|Wreck N' Rule Collection]]''======
*[[Impactor (G1)#Legacy|Comic Universe Impactor]] with [[Spindle#Legacy|Spindle]]
{{-}}

===Concept art===
====''Alternity''====
[[File:Alternity Megatron Cannon.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
*[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Alternity|Megatron]]
*[[Transformers: Alternity#Notes|Meister]] ([[Unreleased toy|Unused]])
<br>
{{-}}

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:Grizzly1barbearian.JPG|[[Grizzly-1|Grizzly-1's]] packaging art for [[BotCon Japan 1998]].
File:Smokescreeng1.jpg|Reissue [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] packaging art.
File:SonicAssault.jpg|The [[Sonic Assault Team]], from ''[[Linkage (comic)|Linkage]]''.
</gallery>

''[[:Category:Images by Hirofumi Ichikawa|Extended Hirofumi Ichikawa gallery]]''</center>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/0138998701/ Hirofumi Ichikawa's website] (dead link)
*[https://twitter.com/Hirovmi Hirofumi Ichikawa on Twitter]

===Interviews===
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20071028003548/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/articles/hi_dai-oh.php Translation of an interview with Ichikawa at ASM] (archived)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ichikawa, Hirofumi}}
	 
[[Category:Beast Era designers]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Generations designers]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]
[[Category:Japanese writers]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy designers]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy designers]]