| Revision as of 16:49, 13 March 2009 editWarreed (talk | contribs)2,280 editsm formatting← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:51, 13 March 2009 edit undo78.146.36.207 (talk) ←Replaced content with ' WHAT A LOAD OF CHINKS!'Next edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Distinguish2|the fictional setting of the ] universe}} | |||
| {{featured article}} | |||
| {{Infobox comic strip <!-- Part of ] --> | |||
| |title= Megatokyo | |||
| |image= ] | |||
| |caption= ''Megatokyo volume 1, 1st edition'' | |||
| |author= ], ] | |||
| |url= http://www.megatokyo.com/ | |||
| |rss= http://www.megatokyo.com/rss/megatokyo.xml | |||
| |atom= | |||
| |status= Monday, Wednesday, Friday (with some interruptions) | |||
| |syndicate= | |||
| |publisher= Print: ] and ] in Japan, formerly ] and ] | |||
| |first= August 14, 2000<ref name="Start">{{cite web | title= Start of ''Megatokyo'' (strip #1) | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=1 | accessdate= 2005-09-03 }}</ref> | |||
| |last= | |||
| |genre= ], ], ], ] | |||
| |rating= | |||
| |preceded by= | |||
| |followed by= | |||
| }} | |||
| '''''Megatokyo''''' is an English-language ] created by ] and ], debuting on August 14, 2000,<ref name="Start"/> and then written and illustrated solely by Gallagher since July 17, 2002.<ref name="gallaghernews">{{cite web |last=Gallagher|first=Fred|date= June 17, 2002 |work=Megatokyo | title=the other brick | url= http://www.megatokyo.com/rant/274 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= May 19, 2006 }} Fred Gallagher's news post announcing Caston's departure.</ref> Gallagher's style of writing and illustrations is heavily influenced by Japanese ]. ''Megatokyo'' is freely available on its official website, with updates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is among the most popular webcomics,<ref name=alexa>Alexa traffic rankings for Megatokyo.com, compared to PvPOnline.com and Penny-Arcade.com.</ref> and is currently published in book-format by ], although the first three volumes were published by ]. For February 2005, sales of the comic's third printed volume were ranked third on BookScan's list of graphic novels sold in bookstores, then the best showing for an ].<ref name = "ICV2march2005"/> | |||
| WHAT A LOAD OF CHINKS! | |||
| Set in a fictional version of ], ''Megatokyo'' portrays the adventures of Piro, a young fan of ] and manga, and his friend Largo, an American ] enthusiast. The comic often parodies and comments on the archetypes and clichés of anime, manga, ]s, and video games, occasionally making direct references to real-world works. ''Megatokyo'' originally emphasized humor, with continuity of the story a subsidiary concern. Over time, it focused more on developing a complex plot and the personalities of its characters. This transition was due primarily to Gallagher's increasing control over the comic, which led to Caston choosing to leave the project.<ref name="rodneyversion">{{cite web|last= Caston|first= Rodney|date= January 18, 2005 | title=The truth about ''Megatokyo''? | url=http://www.rcaston.com/?q=node/71 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= July 2, 2006 }}Rodney Caston's version of the events surrounding his departure</ref><ref name = "departurerodney"/> ''Megatokyo'' has received praise from such sources as '']'',<ref name="NYT">{{cite web|last= Hodgman|first= John|date= July 18, 2004|work=]|title= Chronicle Comics; No More Wascally Wabbits | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9805E2DE123BF93BA25754C0A9629C8B63 | dateformat = mdy | accessdate= April 11, 2006 }}</ref> while negative criticism of Gallagher's changes to the comic has been given by sources including ].<ref name = "Websnark"/><ref name = "timewasters"/> | |||
| ==History== | |||
| ''Megatokyo'' began publication as a joint project between ] and ], Internet acquaintances and, later, business partners.<!--sentence seems a little awkward, it could probably be reworded with less commas and whatnot--> According to Gallagher, the comic's first two strips were drawn in reaction to Caston being "convinced that he and I could do ... bothering me incessantly about it", without any planning or pre-determined storyline.<ref>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 6</ref> The comic's title was derived from an ] owned by Caston, which had hosted a short-lived gaming news site maintained by Caston before the comic's creation.<ref name="themushroom">{{cite web | last=Weiser | first=Kevin | date=September 27, 2001 | url=http://www.themushroom.com/20q/megatokyo.html | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20030728181804/http://www.themushroom.com/20q/megatokyo.html | archivedate=2003-07-28 | title=20 Questions with ''Megatokyo'' | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=August 19, 2006 }} Interview with Fred Gallagher and Rodney Caston accessed through archive.org</ref> With Caston co-writing the comic's scripts and Gallagher supplying its artwork,<ref name="Start"/> the comic's popularity quickly increased,<ref name="megatokyopopularity">{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Calvin | date=February 24, 2003 | title=American Manga Breaks Out | url= http://www.publishersweekly.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA278772&display=Book%20NewsNews&industry=Book%20News&industryid=1806&verticalid=127 | work=] | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= July 23, 2006 }}</ref> eventually reaching levels comparable to those of such popular webcomics as '']'' and '']''.<ref name="alexa" /> According to Gallagher, ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s popularity was not intended, as the project was originally an experiment to help him improve his writing and illustrating skills for his future project, '']''.<ref name="popularity/languages">{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Fred | date=January 2, 2006|work=Megatokyo | title=comiket dreamin' | url= http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=803 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= June 17, 2006 }} Fred Gallagher comments on ''Megatokyo's'' originally experimental status, and mentions that the ''Megatokyo'' books have been translated into German, Italian, French and Polish.</ref> | |||
| In May 2002, Caston sold his ownership of the title to Gallagher, who has managed the comic on his own since then. In October of the same year, after Gallagher was laid off from his ] as an architect, he took up producing the comic as a ] profession.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=329 | first=Fred|last=Gallagher|date=October 30, 2002| title=full time jitters|work=Megatokyo |dateformat=mdy |accessdate=August 16, 2006}}A news post by Fred Gallagher in which he mentions that he has been laid off from work, and announces that he is now working on ''Megatokyo'' full-time.</ref> Caston's departure from ''Megatokyo'' was not fully explained at the time. Initially, Gallagher and Caston only briefly mentioned the split, with Gallagher publicly announcing Caston's departure on June 17, 2002.<ref name="gallaghernews" /> On January 15, 2005, Gallagher explained his view of the reasoning behind the split in response to a comment made by Scott Kurtz of ''PvP'', in which he suggested that Gallagher had stolen ownership of ''Megatokyo'' from Caston. Calling Kurtz's claim "mean spirited", Gallagher responded:<ref name="departurerodney">{{cite web|last= Gallagher|first= Fred|date= January 15, 2005|work=Megatokyo | title=more largos?? | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/rant/620 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= August 26, 2005 }} Fred Gallagher's view of Rodney Caston's departure.</ref> | |||
| <blockquote>"While things were good at first, over time we found that we were not working well together creatively. There is no fault in this, it happens. I've never blamed Rodney for this creative 'falling out' nor do I blame myself. Not all creative relationships click, ours didn't in the long run."</blockquote> | |||
| Four days later, Caston posted his view of the development on his website:<ref name="rodneyversion" /> | |||
| <blockquote>"After this he approached me and said either I would sell him my ownership of MegaTokyo or he would simply stop doing it entirely, and we'd divide up the company's assets and end it all. | |||
| This was right before the MT was to go into print form, and I really wanted to see it make it into print, rather die on the vine."</blockquote> | |||
| ===Production=== | |||
| ''Megatokyo'' is usually hand-drawn in pencil by Fred Gallagher, without any digital or physical "inking". Inking was originally planned, but dropped as Gallagher decided it was unfeasible.<ref name=megatokyobook>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 11</ref> ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first strips were created by roughly sketching on large sheets of paper, followed by ], ], digital clean-up of the traced comics with ], and final touches in ] to achieve a finished product.<ref name=megatokyobook2>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 148</ref> Gallagher has stated that tracing was necessary because his sketches were not neat enough to use before tracing.<ref name=megatokyobook3>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 18</ref> Because of the tracing necessary, these comics regularly took six to eight hours to complete.<ref name="megatokyobook3" /> As the comic progressed, Gallagher became able to draw "cleaner" comics without rough lines and tracing lines, and was able to abandon the tracing step.<ref name=megatokyobook4>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 42</ref> Gallagher believes "that this eventually led to better looking and more expressive comics".<ref name="megatokyobook4" /> | |||
| ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s early strips were laid out in four square panels per strip, in a two-by-two square array — a formatting choice made as a compromise between the horizontal layout of American comic strips and the vertical layout of Japanese comic strips.<ref name="reasonforformat">{{cite web |date= April 18, 2001 | work=Megatokyo | title=Fred Gallagher and Rodney Caston's reasoning for the square panel layout | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=109 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= May 21, 2006 }}</ref> The limitations of this format became apparent during the first year of ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s publication, and in the spring of 2001, the comic switched to a ]-style, free-form panel layout. This format allowed for both large, detailed drawings and small, abstract progressions, as based on the needs of the script.<ref name="formatchange">{{cite web |last=Gallagher|first=Fred |date= April 23, 2001 | work=Megatokyo | title=1:1.5 | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=110 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= May 9, 2006 }} Fred Gallagher details the change of panel layout.</ref> Gallagher has commented that his drawing speed had increased since the comic's beginning, and with four panel comics taking much less time to produce, it "made sense in some sort of twisted, masochistic way, that could use that extra time to draw more for each comic".<ref name=megatokyobook5>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 105</ref> | |||
| ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s earliest strips were drawn entirely on single sheets of paper.<ref name=fullpage2>{{cite web | last=Gallagher | first=Fred | date=October 3, 2006 | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=913 | title=full page, part 2 | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> Following these, Gallagher began drawing the comic's panels separately and assembling them in Adobe Illustrator, allowing him to draw more detailed frames.<ref name="fullpage2" /> This changed during ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eighth chapter, with Gallagher returning to drawing entire comics on single sheets of paper.<ref name="fullpage2" /> Gallagher has stated that this change allows for more differentiated layouts,<ref name=fullpage>{{cite web | last=Gallagher | first=Fred | date=October 1, 2006 | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=912 | title=full page | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> in addition to allowing him a better sense of momentum during comic creation.<ref name="fullpage2" /> | |||
| The strip is currently drawn digitally as of strip number . | |||
| Gallagher occasionally has guest artists participate in the production of the comic, including Mohammad F. Haque of '']''.<ref>http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=1011</ref> | |||
| ===Funding=== | |||
| ''Megatokyo'' has had several sources of funding during its production. In its early years, it was largely funded by Gallagher and Caston's full time jobs, with the additional support of banner advertisements. A store connected to ] was launched during October 2000 in order to sell ''Megatokyo'' merchandise, and, in turn, help fund the comic.<ref name="firstmegatokyostore">{{cite web |last=Gallagher|first=Fred |date= October 21, 2000 |work=Megatokyo | title=we have t-shirts... | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=31 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= May 21, 2006 }} Fred Gallagher announces first ''Megatokyo'' store.</ref> On August 1, 2004,<ref name="MegaGear">{{cite web |last=Gallagher|first=Fred|date=August 1, 2004|work=Megatokyo | title=learning to fly | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=589 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= August 5, 2005 }} Fred Gallagher comments about Megagear's launch status.</ref> this store was replaced by "", an independent online store created by Fred Gallagher and his wife, Sarah, to be used solely by ''Megatokyo'', although it now also offers '']'' and ''Angerdog'' merchandise. | |||
| Gallagher has emphasized that ''Megatokyo'' will continue to remain on the Internet free of charge, and that releasing it in book form is simply another way for the comic to reach readers,<ref name="megatokyopanel">{{cite web |date= April 26, 2004 | title= ''Megatokyo'' goes to Tokyo – interview with Fred Gallagher | url=http://anime-tourist.com/article.php?sid=701#book2 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= June 4, 2006 }}</ref> as opposed to replacing its webcomic counterpart entirely.<ref name="fredinterview">{{cite web | last= Curzon|first= Joe|date= January 28, 2004 | title= Interview with Fred Gallagher | url=http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/talkingtopiro1.html | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20040813123907/http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/talkingtopiro1.html | archivedate=2004-08-13 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20040813123907/http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/talkingtopiro1.html | archivedate=2004-08-13 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= June 4, 2006 }}</ref> Additionally, he has stated that he is against ]s, as he believes that ] and public attention are powerful property builders, and that a "pay-per-click" system would only dampen their effectiveness. He has claimed that such systems are a ''superior'' option to direct monetary compensation, and that human nature is opposed to micropayments.<ref name="fredinterview">{{cite web | last= Curzon|first= Joe|date= January 28, 2004 | title= Interview with Fred Gallagher | url=http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/talkingtopiro1.html | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20040813123907/http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/talkingtopiro1.html | archivedate=2004-08-13 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20040813123907/http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/talkingtopiro1.html | archivedate=2004-08-13 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= June 4, 2006}}</ref> | |||
| ==Themes and structure== | |||
| demonstrates ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> style and several of the comic's themes. It depicts Piro, Largo, Sonoda Yuki and Nanasawa Kimiko.]] | |||
| Much of ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s early humor consists of jokes related to the video game ], as well as culture-clash issues. In these early strips, the comic progressed at a pace which Gallagher has called "haphazard",<ref name=IGNinterview>{{cite web | date=June 21, 2006 | url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/713/713708p1.html | title=Take a Trip to Megatokyo | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=August 19, 2006 }} IGN interview with Fred Gallagher.</ref> often interrupted by purely ]-driven installments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=45|title=''Megatokyo'' Strip 45|dateformat= mdy |accessdate=July 18, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=51|title=''Megatokyo'' Strip 51|dateformat= mdy |accessdate=July 18, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=85|title=''Megatokyo'' Strip 85|dateformat= mdy |accessdate=July 18, 2006}}</ref> As Gallagher gradually gained more control over ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s production, the comic began to gain more similarities to the Japanese ] that Gallagher enjoys.<ref name="gallaghernews">{{cite web |last=Gallagher|first=Fred|date= June 17, 2002 |work=Megatokyo | title=the other brick | url= http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=273 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= May 19, 2006 }}</ref> Following Gallagher's complete takeover of ''Megatokyo'', the comic's thematic relation to Japanese manga continued to grow. | |||
| The comic features characteristics borrowed from anime and manga ]s, often ]ing the medium's clichés.<ref name=commongripes>{{cite web | last=Gallagher | first=Fred | date=February 2, 2006 | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=819 | title=common gripes | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref><ref name="fullpage2" /> Examples include Junpei, a ] who becomes Largo's ]; Rent-a-zillas, giant monsters based on ]; the Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division, which fights the monsters with ] and supervises the systematic destruction and reconstruction of predesignated areas of the city; ];<ref name="fullpage2" /> a Japanese school girl, Yuki, who has also started being a magical girl in recent comics;<ref name=megatokyobook12>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 51</ref> and Ping, a robot girl.<ref name=megatokyobook11>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 156</ref> In addition, Dom and Ed, ] employed by ] and ], respectively, are associated with a Japanese stereotype that all Americans are heavily armed.<ref name=megatokyobook10>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 13</ref> | |||
| Characters in ''Megatokyo'' usually speak Japanese, although some speak English, or English-based ]. Typically, when a character is speaking Japanese, it is signified by enclosing English text between ] (<>).<ref>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 33</ref> Not every character speaks every language, so occasionally characters are unable to understand one another. In several scenes (such as ), a character's speech is written entirely in ] Japanese to emphasize this. | |||
| ''Megatokyo'' is divided into chapters. Chapter 0, which contains all of the comic's early phase, covers a time span in the comic of about six weeks. Each of the subsequent chapters chronicles the events of a single day. Chapter 0 was originally not given a title, although the book version retroactively dubbed it "''Relax, we understand j00''".<ref>''Megatokyo'' book one, pg. 5</ref> Chapter 0 began during August 2000,<ref name="Start"/> with chapters 1 through 10 beginning in June 2001,<ref name=start2>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=134 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter one | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> November 2001,<ref name=start3>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=196 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter two | dateformat= mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> October 2002,<ref name=start4>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=307 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter three | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> April 2003,<ref name=start5>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=402 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter four | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> February 2004,<ref name=start6>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=526 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter five | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> November 2004,<ref name=start7>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=639 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter six | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> September 2005,<ref name=start8>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=743 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter seven | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> June 2006,<ref name=start9>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=875 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter eight | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=May 11, 2007 }}</ref> April 2007,<ref name=start10>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=983 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter nine | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=February 15, 2007 }}</ref> and July 2008,<ref name=start11>{{cite web | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/strip/1141 | title=Start of ''Megatokyo'' chapter ten | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=August 5, 2008 }}</ref> respectively. | |||
| ==Main characters== | |||
| {{main|List of characters in Megatokyo}} | |||
| {{seealso|List of minor characters in Megatokyo|Alternate universes and omake theater in Megatokyo}} | |||
| <!--Due to Megatokyo's status as a Western work, WP:MOS-JA does not apply to this subject, and as such any and all of the comic's uses of Japanese naming order are correct for use in this article. PLEASE do not change them--> | |||
| :''The authors of ''Megatokyo'' chose to use ] for characters of Japanese origin. The same format has been maintained here so as to avoid any confusion regarding these characters.'' | |||
| ===Piro=== | |||
| '''Piro''', the main ], is an ] of Fred Gallagher. Gallagher has stated that Piro is an idealized version of himself when he was in college.<ref name=piroidealized>{{cite web | date=June 8, 2006|work=Megatokyo | first=Fred | last=Gallagher | title=i'll take my art back now | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=868 | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=June 20, 2006}} A news post by Fred Gallagher in which he states that the character "Piro" is an idealized version of himself (Gallagher) when he was in college.</ref> As a character, he is socially inept and frequently ]. His design was originally conceived as a visual parody of the character ], from the '']'' anime series.<ref name=multiplayinterview>{{cite web | date=December 18, 2002 | url=http://www.multiplay.co.uk/columns.asp?m=view&uid=1581 | title=An interview with Fred Gallagher | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=August 17, 2006 }}</ref> His name is derived from Gallagher's online nickname, which was in turn taken from ] ] in the Japanese ] '']''.<ref name = nameorigins/> | |||
| In the story, Piro has extreme difficulty understanding ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s female characters, making him for the most part ignorant of the feelings that the character Nanasawa Kimiko has for him, though he has become much more aware of her attraction as the series progressed. Gallagher has commented that Piro is the focal point of emotional damage, while his friend, Largo, takes the physical damage in the comic.<ref name=thepulseinterview2>{{cite web |last= Contino | first=Jennifer |date=September 5, 2002 |url=http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=36&t=000120 | title= ''Megatoky's Fred Gallagher'' | dateformat= mdy | accessdate=August 18, 2006 }}An interview with Fred Gallagher at The Pulse</ref> | |||
| ===Largo=== | |||
| '''Largo''' is the comic's secondary protagonist, and the comic version of co-creator ]. As the comic's primary source of humor, he is an impulsive ] who speaks ] fluently and frequently. A technically gifted character, he is obsessed with altering devices, often with hazardous results. Gallagher designed Largo to be the major recipient of the comic's physical damage.<ref name="thepulseinterview2" /> Largo's name comes from Caston's online nickname.<ref name = nameorigins/> Largo seems to be awkwardly blundering into a relationship with Hayasaka Erika, at the current time in the comic. | |||
| ===Hayasaka Erika=== | |||
| {{nihongo|'''Hayasaka Erika'''|早坂 えりか}} is a strong-willed, cynical, and sometimes violent character. At the time of the story, she is a former popular ] (singer) and ] who has been out of the spotlight for three years, though she still possesses a considerable fanbase. Erika's past relationship troubles, combined with exposure to swarms of ], have caused her to adopt a negative outlook on life. Gallagher has implied that her personality was loosely based around the '']'' (tough girl) stereotype often seen in anime and manga.<ref name = findingkimiko/> | |||
| ===Nanasawa Kimiko=== | |||
| {{nihongo|'''Nanasawa Kimiko'''|七澤 希美子}} is a Japanese girl who works as a waitress at an ] restaurant, and is Piro's romantic interest. The story puts forth that she is an aspiring ] who sometimes finds herself too shy or insecure to take on roles. Kimiko is a kind and soft-spoken character, though she is prone to mood-swings, and often causes herself embarrassment by saying things she does not mean. Gallagher has commented that Kimiko was the only female character not based entirely on anime ]s.<ref name=findingkimiko>{{cite web | last=Gallagher | first=Fred | date=January 6, 2005 | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=658 | title=finding kimiko | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=August 18, 2006 }} Gallagher comments on Kimiko being of original design.</ref> | |||
| ===Tohya Miho=== | |||
| {{nihongo|'''Tohya Miho'''|凍耶 美穂|Tōya Miho}} is an enigmatic and manipulative young ] girl. She is drawn to resemble a "]", and is often described as "darkly cute," with Gallagher occasionally describing her as a "perkigoth."<ref name=perkigoth>Gallagher, Fred. ''Megatokyo'' Volume 1. Dark Horse Books, 2004. Pages 90 and 154.</ref> Miho often acts strangely compared to the comic's other characters, and regularly accomplishes abnormal feats, such as leaping inhuman distances or perching herself atop telephone poles. Despite these displays of ability, it is hinted at that Miho has problems with her health. Little is revealed in the comic about Miho's past or motivations, although Gallagher states that these will eventually be explained. Largo believes that she (Miho) is the queen of the undead, and is the cause of the zombie invasion of Tokyo.<ref name=nameorigins>{{cite web | title=''Megatokyo'' Panel at Akon 13 | url=http://www.anime-tourist.com/article.php?sid=196#about | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=July 5, 2006}}</ref> It has been hinted that she is a ] who may have some past connection with the zombies. As of comic 1124, she is presumed dead. | |||
| ==Plot== | |||
| ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s story begins when Piro and Largo fly to Tokyo after an incident at the ]. The pair are soon stranded without enough money to buy plane tickets home, forcing them to live with Tsubasa, a Japanese friend of Piro's. When Tsubasa suddenly departs for America to seek his "first true love", the protagonists are forced out of the apartment. Tsubasa leaves Ping, a robot girl ] accessory, in their care. | |||
| At one point, Piro, confronted with girl troubles, visits the local bookstore to "research" -- look in the vast shelves of ] for a solution to his problem. A spunky schoolgirl, Yuki, and her friends, Asako and Mami, see him sitting amidst piles of read manga, and ask him what he is doing. Piro, flustered, runs away, accidentally leaving behind his bag. | |||
| After their eviction, Piro begins work at "Megagamers", a store specializing in anime, manga, and video games. His employer allows him and Largo to live in the apartment above the store. Largo is mistaken for the new English teacher at a local school, where he takes on the alias "]" and instructs his students in L33t, video games, and about ]. The "]" hires Largo after he manipulates Ping into stopping a rampaging monster, but they soon dismiss him for failing to contain a riot. | |||
| As Largo is working at the local high school, Piro encounters Yuki again while working at Megagamers, when she returns his bag and sketchbook, scribbled all over with comments about his drawings. She then, to his consternation, asks if he would give her drawing lessons. Piro, flustered, agrees, and promptly forgets about them. | |||
| Early in the story, Piro meets Nanasawa Kimiko at an ] restaurant, where she is a waitress. Much later, Piro encounters Kimiko outside a train station, where she is worrying aloud that she will miss an audition because she has forgotten her money and railcard. Piro hands her his own railcard and walks off before she can refuse his offer. This event causes Kimiko to develop an idealized vision of her benefactor, an image which is shattered the next time they meet. Despite this, she gradually develops feelings for Piro, though she is too shy to admit them. Later on in the story, Kimiko's outburst on a ] causes her to suddenly rise to idol status. Angered by the hosts' derisive comments about ]s, she comes to the defense of her audience, immediately and unintentionally securing their obsessive adoration. Later, her new horde of fanboys find out where she works and flock to the restaurant, obsessively trying to get a picture ]. Piro comes to her defense, working undercover as a busboy to get rid of all cameras. The scene eventually builds to a climax, in which Kimiko shouts at the fanboys about how she is not just a 2D girl. Piro, provoked by her outburst into defending her, threatens the fanboy crowd, and collects all of their ]s. Later, going back from the restaurant, Kimiko is suffering from the aftermath of the scene and lashes out at Piro. | |||
| Meanwhile, Largo develops a relationship with Hayasaka Erika, Piro's coworker at Megagamers. As with Piro and Kimiko, Largo and Erika meet by coincidence early in the story. Later, it is revealed that Erika is a former ], who disappeared from the public eye after her fiancé left her. When she is rediscovered by her fans, Largo helps thwart a fanboy horde and offers to help Erika to deal with her "vulnerabilities in the digital plane". Erika insists on protecting herself, so Largo instructs her in computer-building. This leads into a little more relationship than Largo can handle however, as he insists all computer building be done in the nude, or as close to it as possible, to avoid ] ruining components. | |||
| The enigmatic Tohya Miho frequently meddles in the lives of the protagonists. Miho knows Piro and Largo from the "Endgames" ] previous to ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plot. She abused a hidden statistic in the game to gain control of nearly all of the game's ]s, but was ultimately defeated by Piro and Largo. In the comic, Miho becomes close friends with Ping, influencing Ping's relationship with Piro and pitting Ping against Largo in ] battles. Miho is also involved in Erika's backstory; Miho manipulated Erika's fans after Erika's disappearance. This effort ended badly, leaving Miho hospitalized, and the Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division cleaning up the aftermath. Most of the exact details of what happened are left to the readers' imagination. | |||
| After getting yelled at for retaining her waitress job, Kimiko quits her voice acting job and goes home to find Erika programming her computer in her undergarments. Not long after Erika tells Kimiko to strip, Piro comes by, who she tells to get undressed as well. While Erika and Piro talk about her, Kimiko runs out of the apartment. Kimiko runs into Ping, who wanted to talk to Piro about why, after an earthquake, she had started to cry uncontrollably. They encounter Largo at the store, who explains what went wrong, although no one knows what he means until Piro comes in and translates. Ping is relieved to know that she won't shut down and Kimiko hugs Piro and apologizes for her actions. Largo leaves for Erika's apartment after she calls looking for help. That night, while Piro and Kimiko fall asleep watching TV, Erika, who finished the computer with Largo's help, tries to seduce Largo, but it freaks him out and he runs out for home. The next morning, after Kimiko departed, Piro finds out she quit her job and tries to find her. | |||
| However, Dom tries to coerce Kimiko to join SEGA for protection from fans, but she denies, resulting in Miho rescuing her from a robot sent for Kimiko. Piro encounters a group who found her cell phone and computer after she abandoned them to escape Dom. They want to help Piro get together with Kimiko, partially due to feeling bad for trying to snap a picture up Kimiko's skirt. As Piro and the group set out for a press conference Kimiko has agreed to attend, a zombie outbreak occurs downtown, apparently under the control of Miho, who later calls them off. | |||
| Largo and Yuki, revealed to be a ], steal a Rent-a-Zilla to fight the outbreak, but Largo leaves Yuki and the Rent-a-Zilla to help Piro get to Kimiko, in the middle of her press conference. Unfortunately, the Rent-a-Zilla gets bitten by a couple of zombies and turns into one himself, going on a rampage downtown. Yuki protects the Rent-A-Zilla from the Tokyo Police Cataclysm Division and even adopts him as a pet later on, much to her father's chagrin. | |||
| A while afterwards, Piro and Kimiko have made up and Kimiko returned to both of her jobs. Ping is concerned about the whereabouts of Miho, but Piro is still upset about what happened. | |||
| ==Books== | |||
| ''Megatokyo'' was first published in print by ], a partnership announced in September 2002.<ref name="ironcat">{{cite web | title=''Megatokyo'' Press Release (8/2/2002) | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/pressrelease/2002-08-02.html | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20030416014559/http://www.megatokyo.com/pressrelease/2002-08-02.html | archivedate=2003-04-16 | dateformat = mdy | accessdate = June 26, 2006 }}</ref> Following this, the first book, a compilation of ''Megatokyo'' strips under the title "''Megatokyo Volume One: Chapter Zero''", was released by Studio Ironcat in January of 2003.<ref name=amazon>{{cite web | url=http://www.amazon.com/dp/1929090307/ | title=''Megatokyo Vol 1 Chapter Zero'' at Amazon.com | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 7, 2006 }}</ref> According to Gallagher, Studio Ironcat was unable to meet demand for the book, due to problems the company was facing at the time.<ref name="ironcat3">{{cite web |last=Kean |first=Benjamin | title=Fred Gallagher On The ''Megatokyo'' Move | url=http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=34c696bc13825b53fece13404e8c40f2&threadid=61060 | dateformat = mdy | accessdate = June 27, 2006 }}</ref> On July 7, 2003, Gallagher announced that Ironcat would not continue to publish ''Megatokyo'' in book form.<ref name="ironcat2">{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Fred |date=July 7, 2003|work=Megatokyo | title=re: ''megatokyo'' book 2 | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=432 | dateformat = mdy | accessdate = June 26, 2006 }} Fred Gallagher announces that Studio Ironcat will not publish ''Megatokyo'' volumes 2 and above.</ref> This was followed by an announcement on August 27, 2003 that ] would publish ''Megatokyo Volume 2'' and future collected volumes, including a revised edition of ''Megatokyo Volume 1''.<ref name="darkhorseannouncement">{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Fred | date=August 27, 2003 | work=Megatokyo | title=Megatokyo joins Dark Horse Comics | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=454 | dateformat = mdy | accessdate = June 26, 2006 }} Fred Gallagher announces ''Megatokyo''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s move to Dark Horse Comics.</ref> The comic once more changed publishers in February of 2006, moving from Dark Horse Comics to the ] imprint of ].<ref name="CMX_announcement">{{cite web | title=''Megatokyo'' changes publishers to DC Comics / CMX Manga | url=http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=36;t=004818 | dateformat = mdy | accessdate = February 26, 2006 }}</ref> | |||
| As of May 23, 2007, five volumes are available for purchase: volumes 1 through 3 from Dark Horse and volumes 4 and 5 by CMX/DC. The books have also been translated into German, Italian, French and Polish.<ref name="popularity/languages">{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Fred | date=January 2, 2006|work=Megatokyo | title=comiket dreamin' | url= http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=803 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= June 17 2006 }} Fred Gallagher comments on ''Megatokyo's'' originally experimental status and mentions that the ''Megatokyo'' books have been translated into German, Italian, French and ].</ref> In July 2004, ''Megatokyo'' was the tenth best-selling manga property in the United States,<ref name="ICV2july2004">{{cite web |date= July 7, 2004 | title=ICv2 Looks at Manga Channel Shift | url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/5241.html | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= April 14, 2006 }}</ref> and during the week ending February 20, 2005, volume 3 ranked third in the ] figures,<ref name="ICV2march2005">{{cite web |date= March 4, 2005 | title=''Megatokyo'' Reaches Number 3 | url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/6520.html | dateformat= mdy | accessdate = April 14, 2006 }}</ref> which was not only its highest ranking to date (as of August 2006), but also made it the highest monthly rank for an ] title.<ref name="ICV2march2005" /> | |||
| * ''Megatokyo Volume 1: Chapter Zero'' (''Megatokyo'' vol.1 1st ].) ISBN 1-929090-30-7 | |||
| * ''Megatokyo Volume 1'', 2nd ed. ISBN 1-59307-163-9 (published March 21, 2004)<ref name="Darkhorse1">{{cite web | title= Darkhorse's product details on Volume One | url=http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=13-072 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= September 1, 2005 }}</ref> | |||
| * ''Megatokyo Volume 2'' ISBN 1-59307-118-3 (published January 22, 2004)<ref name="Darkhorse2">{{cite web | title= Darkhorse's product details on Volume Two | url=http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=13-071 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= September 1, 2005 }}</ref> | |||
| * ''Megatokyo Volume 3'' ISBN 1-59307-305-4 (published February 2, 2005)<ref name="Darkhorse3">{{cite web | title= Darkhorse's product details on Volume Three | url=http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=10-541 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= September 1, 2005 }}</ref> | |||
| * ''Megatokyo Volume 4'' ISBN 1-4012-1126-7 (published June 21, 2006)<ref name="CMX4">{{cite web | title= CMX Manga's product details on Volume 4 | url=http://www.dccomics.com/cmx/?action=on_sale&i=5407 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= April 9, 2006 }}</ref> | |||
| * ''Megatokyo Volume 5'' ISBN 1-4012-1127-5 (published May 23, 2007)<ref name="CMX5">{{cite web | title=Gallagher's blog on Megatokyo.com | url=http://www.megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=991 | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= April 23, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
| In July 2007, ] announced that in 2008 it intends to publish ''Megatokyo'' in a Japanese-language edition, (in a silver slipcased box as part of Kodansha Box editions, a new manga line started in November 2006). Depending on reader response, Kodansha hopes to subsequently publish the entire ''Megatokyo'' book series.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6458790.html?nid=2789 | |||
| |title=Kodansha to Publish Megatokyo in Japan – 7/10/2007 – Publishers Weekly | |||
| |accessdate=2007-07-11 | |||
| |author=Calvin Reid | |||
| |authorlink=Calvin Reid | |||
| |date=2007-07-10 | |||
| |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| The first volume will be released in Japan in March 2009, and Kodansha has acquired the rights to publish Volume 2 as well.{{Fact|date=March 2009}} | |||
| ==Reception== | |||
| ]'' and elsewhere.]] | |||
| The artwork and characterizations of ''Megatokyo'' have received praise from such publications as '']''<ref name="NYT" /> and ].<ref name = "comicsbulletin"/> Many critics praise ''Megatokyo'' its character designs and pencil work, rendered entirely in ];<ref name = "Anime_News_Network"/><ref name="animatedbliss">{{cite web| title= Manga Review: ''Megatokyo'' Volume 1 | url=http://www.animatedbliss.com/REVIEWS/review.asp?TID=2342| date= February 8, 2003 |dateformat=mdy | accessdate=July 23, 2006}}</ref><ref name=booklist>{{cite web | year=2005 | url=http://libraries.darkhorse.com/reviews/archive.php?theid=109 | title=''Megatokyo Volume 3'' Booklist review | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=November 7, 2006 }}</ref> Conversely, however, it has also been criticized for perceived uniformity and simplicity in the designs of its peripheral characters, which have been regarded as confusing and difficult to tell apart due to their similar appearances.<ref name="flipped">{{cite web |last=Welsh | first=David | title= Comic World News | Flipped|url=http://www.comicworldnews.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?column=flipped&page=76| dateformat= mdy |accessdate=July 19, 2006}}</ref> | |||
| Some critics, such as ] of ], have found the comic to suffer from "incredibly slow pacing" ({{asof|2009|3|lc=on}}, only about 2 months of in-universe time have elapsed<ref>http://www.megatokyo.com/faq</ref>), unclear direction or resolutions for plot threads, a lack of official character profiles and plot summaries for the uninitiated, and an erratic update schedule.<ref name = "Websnark"/> Burns also harshly criticized the often uncanonical filler material Gallagher employs to prevent the comic's front page content from becoming stagnant,<ref name = "Websnark"/> such as ''Shirt Guy Dom'', a punchline-driven ] comic strip written and illustrated by ''Megatokyo'' editor Dominic Nguyen. Following Gallagher taking on ''Megatokyo'' as a full-time occupation, some critics have complained that updates should be more frequent than when he worked on the comic ].<ref name = "Websnark"/> Update schedule issues have prompted Gallagher to install an update progress bar for readers awaiting the next installment of the comic. | |||
| ''Megatokyo'''s fans have been called "some of the most patient and forgiving in the webcomic world."<ref name="IGNinterview" /> During an interview, Gallagher stated that ''Megatokyo'' fans "always me they are patient and find that the final comics are always worth the wait,"<ref name="IGNinterview" /> but he feels as though he " a commitment to my readers and to myself to deliver the best comics I can, and to do it on schedule,"<ref name="IGNinterview" /> finally saying that nothing would make him happier than " a better handle on the time it takes to create each page."<ref name="IGNinterview" /> Upon missing deadlines, Gallagher often makes self-disparaging comments.<ref name=IGNinterview /> Poking fun at this, ] of '']'' has claimed to have "gotten on famously" with Gallagher, ever since he "figured out that legitimately detests himself and is not hoisting some kind of ''glamour''."<ref name="pennyarcade">{{cite web|last= Holkins|first= Jerry|date= March 27, 2006|work=]| title= The Doujinshi Code|url= http://www.penny-arcade.com/2006/03/27/ | dateformat= mdy |accessdate = April 11, 2006}}</ref> | |||
| While ''Megatokyo'' was originally presented as a ] ], it began focusing more on the romantic relationships between its characters after Caston's departure from the project. As a result, some fans, preferring the comic's gag-a-day format, have claimed its quality was superior when Caston was writing it.<ref name="timewasters">{{cite web|last= Sanderson|first= Brandon|date= June 18, 2004| title= The Official Time-Waster's Guide v3.0 | url= http://www.timewastersguide.com/view.php?id=182 | dateformat= mdy |accessdate = July 19, 2006}}</ref> Additionally, it has been said that, without Caston's input, Largo's antics appear contrived.<ref name="Websnark">{{cite web|last= Burns|first= Eric|date= August 22, 2004|work=] | title= You Had Me, And You Lost Me: Why I don't read ''Megatokyo'' | url=http://www.websnark.com/archives/2004/08/you_had_me_and.html | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= August 27, 2005 }}</ref> ] regards ''Megatokyo'''s characters as convincingly portrayed, commenting that "the reader truly feels connected to the characters, their romantic hijinks, and their wacky misadventures with the personal touches supplied by the author."<ref name="comicsbulletin">{{cite web|last= Murray|first= Robert|date= June 28, 2006|work=] | title= ''Megatokyo'' v4 Review | url=http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/reviews/115147692667364.htm | dateformat= mdy | accessdate= July 18, 2006 }}</ref> Likewise, ] has praised the personal tone in which the comic is written, stating that much of its appeal is a result of the "friendly and casual feeling of a fan-made production."<ref name="Anime_News_Network">{{cite web| title= ''Megatokyo'' Volume 1 Special Review|work= ]|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/reviews/display.php?id=418| date= February 8, 2003}}</ref> | |||
| Gallagher states early in ''Megatokyo Volume 1'' that he and Caston "didn't want the humor ... to rely too heavily on what might be considered 'obscure knowledge.'" An article in ''The New York Times'' insists that such scenarios were unavoidable, commenting that the comic "sits at the intersection of several streams of obscure knowledge," including "gaming and hacking; manga ... the boom in Web comics over the past few years; and comics themselves."<ref name="NYT" /> The article also held that "Gallagher doesn't mean to be exclusive ... he graciously offers translation of the strip's later occasional lapses into ] ... explains why the characters are occasionally dressed in knickers or as rabbits."<ref name="NYT" /> The newspaper went on to argue that "The pleasure of a story like ''Megatokyo'' comes not in its novelistic coherence, but in its loose ranginess."<ref name="NYT" /> | |||
| ''Megatokyo'' was nominated in at least one category of the ] every year from 2001 through 2007. It won Best Comic ], as well as Best Writing, Best Serial Comic, and Best Dramatic Comic. The largest number of nominations it has received in one year is 14 ], when it won Outstanding Environment Design.<ref>{{cite web| title= Web Cartoonist's Choice Awards (official site) | url=http://www.ccawards.com/}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> | |||
| <references /> | |||
| </div> | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{wikiquote}} | |||
| {| class="infobox bordered" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 1em; width: 12em;" | |||
| ! style="background:#ccf;" | ''Fan translations'' | |||
| |- | |||
| | | |||
| * {{flagicon|NLD}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|FIN}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|FIN}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|FRA}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|GER}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|ITA}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|NOR}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|POL}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|BRA}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|SRB}} | |||
| * {{flagicon|ESP}} | |||
| * | |||
| |} | |||
| * | |||
| * {{RSS|http://www.megatokyo.com/rss/megatokyo.xml ''Megatokyo'' news}} | |||
| * | |||
| * , previous book publisher of ''Megatokyo''. | |||
| * , current book publisher of ''Megatokyo''. | |||
| * , other art by Fred Gallagher. | |||
| * , blog of Rodney Caston. | |||
| * '']'' article at Comixpedia, a ] ] | |||
| * | |||
| ===Fan sites=== | |||
| * , an unofficial wiki dedicated to information about ''Megatokyo'' | |||
| * , lots of information on ''Megatokyo'' plot and characters | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 16:51, 13 March 2009
WHAT A LOAD OF CHINKS!