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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 stopped collaborating with ''Transformers'' in a toy design capacity, he has since focused more on his original comics such as ''Boldor'' and ''Rainfall''.
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 stopped collaborating with ''Transformers'' in a toy design capacity, he has since focused more on his original comics such as ''Boldor'' and ''Rainfall''.


==Writer/illustrator==
==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===
====''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Post-series releases|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>
*Nucleon Quest Super 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]]
*[[Guardian robot#Collector's Edition|GADEP]]
}}
====''[[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==
===''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]''===
{{collist|3|
*[[Inferno (G1)/toys#Transformers Collection|Inferno]]
*[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Transformers Collection|Astrotrain]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Transformers Collection|Smokescreen]]
*[[Tracks (G1)/toys#Transformers Collection|Tracks]]
}}
===''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]''===
(reused from ''Transformers Collection'')
*[[Astrotrain (G1)/toys#Commemorative Series|Astrotrain]]
===''[[Transformers: Beast Wars|Beast Wars]]''===
*[[Grizzly-1#Beast Wars|Grizzly-1]]
*[[Double Punch#Beast Wars|Double Punch]] with [[Beeline#Beast Wars|Beeline]]
===''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
*[[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]]'' Box 1 and 2
**''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010]]
**''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010]]
*"[[Linkage (comic)|Linkage]]"
*[[e-HOBBY]] toy bios
*"[[Story of Binaltech]]"
**"[[Outlier (comic)|Outlier]]" (Story and Art)
*''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' box illustrations
**''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' (reused from ''Transformers Collection'')
*"[[Beast Wars Reborn]]"
*''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' (Power Plans, bios, stories, illustrations)
**"[[Arch-Nemesis!]]", "[[To Die Game!]]" (lineart)
*"[[Beast Wars Universe]]" (co-written with [[Fumihiko Akiyama]])
*''[[Unofficial guidebooks|Cybertronian: The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide]] Volume 5 (front cover)
*''[[Unofficial guidebooks|Cybertronian: The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide]] Volume 5 (front cover)
*"[[World of the Transformers]]" (information database/website)
*[[BotCon Japan 1997]] commemorative T-shirt design
*[[BotCon Japan 1997]] commemorative T-shirt design
*Several entries of the Facebook version of [[Ask Vector Prime]]
*[[The Transformers Classics]] Vol. 2 (Japanese reprint cover)
*[[The Transformers Classics]] Vol. 2 (Japanese reprint cover)
*[[The Transformers: Masterpiece#Pack-in plotlines|''Masterpiece'']] toy bios
===[[Transformers Character Card]]===
**[[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>
{{collist|3|
*[[Bludgeon (G1)#Transformers Character Card|09 Bludgeon]]
*[[Stranglehold#Transformers Character Card|10 Stranglehold]]
*[[Longtooth#Transformers Character Card|17 Longtooth]]
*[[Octopunch (G1)#Transformers Character Card|18 Octopunch]]
*[[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers Character Card|19 Action Master Jazz]]
*[[Banzai-Tron (G1)#Transformers Character Card|20 Banzai-Tron]]
*[[Crossblades (G1)#Transformers Character Card|23 Crossblades]]
*[[Thunderwing (G1)#Transformers Character Card|24 Thunderwing]]
*[[Carnivac (G1)#Transformers Character Card|35 Carnivac]]
*[[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Character Card|36 Pretender Starscream]]
*[[Iguanus (G1)#Transformers Character Card|44 Iguanus]]
}}
 
==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]]
{{-}}


==Toy designer==
===Concept art===
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 has worked on include...
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 has worked on include...


===Energon===
====''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''====
[[File:Energon Scorponok toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
[[File:Energon Scorponok toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
;Energon Class
;Energon Class
Line 51: Line 190:
* [[Omega Supreme (Energon)#Toys|Omega Supreme]]
* [[Omega Supreme (Energon)#Toys|Omega Supreme]]
{{-}}
{{-}}
===Cybertron<ref>[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>===
====''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''<ref>[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>====
[[File:Cybertron Primus toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
[[File:Cybertron Primus toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
;Scout Class
;Scout Class
Line 77: Line 216:
* [[Primus#Cybertron|Primus]]
* [[Primus#Cybertron|Primus]]
{{-}}
{{-}}
 
====''Alternity''====
===Generations Selects===
[[File:Alternity Jazz Pilot.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
*[[Transformers: Alternity#Notes|Meister]] ([[Unreleased toy|Unused]])
<br>
{creatorstub|Everything between 2011 and 2019}}
====''[[Generations Selects (toyline)#Generations Selects]]''====
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Generations Selects|Combat Megatron]]<ref name = IDW/>
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Generations Selects|Combat Megatron]]<ref name = IDW/>
{{-}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 99: Line 243:
===Interviews===
===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)
*[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]]

Revision as of 19:39, 24 January 2023

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 Binaltech and Alternity franchises. He's a noted Transformers fan who has made the jump to working on the brand in an official capacity for Takara. Prior to this, he wrote numerous fan-comics and magazines (called 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 "funny" dub of 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 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 stopped collaborating with Transformers in a toy design capacity, he has since focused more on his original comics such as Boldor and Rainfall.

Writing

Prose stories

Beast Wars Reborn

Binaltech

Alternity

Masterpiece

Known toy bios

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

  • Tigertrack[1]
  • Nucleon Quest Super Convoy

Collector's Edition

Encore[1]

Binaltech

Alternity






Masterpiece[1]

Other prose

Comics

Armada

Binaltech

Alternity

Masterpiece

Known packaging art

Transformers Collection

Commemorative Series

(reused from Transformers Collection)

Beast Wars

Binaltech

Other illustration work

Transformers Character Card

Known toy design work

Deco

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

Collector's Edition


Concept art

With the beginning of 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 has worked on include...

Energon

Energon Class
Mega Class
Command Class
Leader Class
Supreme Class


Cybertron[3]

Scout Class
Deluxe Class
Voyager Class
Ultra Class
Leader Class
Supreme Class


Alternity


{creatorstub|Everything between 2011 and 2019}}

Generations Selects (toyline)#Generations Selects


Extended Hirofumi Ichikawa gallery

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "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)."—Hirofumi Ichikawa, Twitter, 2022/12/18
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "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！"—Hirofumi Ichikawa, Twitter, 2022/12/15
  3. ↑ Personal correspondence between Ichikawa and Doug Dlin on alt.toys.transformers mentioning the Galaxy Force/Cybertron toys he worked on

Interviews

Retrieved from "https://tfwiki.duckdns.org/index.php?title=Hirofumi_Ichikawa&oldid=1667010"