Meet and Greet: Harold Sakuishi

The more things change, the more they stay the same . . . As American fans have embraced manga and anime - trying to make parts of Japanese culture their own, the same thing has been happening in Japan with American culture.  The concept of the Japanese mainstream becoming part of our subculture is being mirrored overseas.  I began to think about this when I started reading Harold Sakuishi’s, BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, which debuted last summer. 

This story centers around teenage boy - Koyuki, who like most high school students wants to be “cool”, but more importantly grows up in spite of himself through character, hard work, desire, and of course a series of life-changing circumstances.  As a result of a chance encounter, Yukio is exposed to the world of rock music that he never knew before.  Sounds familiar right?  I hope so.  This style of story is certainly manga, but it’s reminiscent of films by John Hughes and Cameron Crowe, and even Saved by the Bell.  From it’s very beginning BECK will get stuck in your head like your favorite song.  It’s a series that can’t be defined by typical manga genres as it has a little something that any reader can identify with. 

What makes it unique is that it’s filled with pop-culture references from Japan and the rest of the world.  Even more so though is the fact that Sakuishi is genuinely interested in the stories and characters of his manga.  His stories are based on the realities of his interests and hobbies.   Like his previous series, BECK follows this trend.  It’s not shonen, it’s not shojo, it’s BECK and you probably already know some of the characters in this series - chances are they’re probably friends of yours and you don’t even know it.  So, are you ready to rock?  I had the pleasure of sitting down for a meet and greet with Sakuishi at AnimeNEXT this summer.  And the crowd goes wild . . .

JP: Where are you from in Japan?

HS: Nagoya prefecture - where many artists have come from.

JP: What’s you’re typical day like?

HS: I start my day (because of the time change) with a baseball game, usually the Seattle Mariners.  Then it’s time to work.  I work at a pace of about five pages a day.

JP: When drawing, do you work with any computers or technology?

HS: I haven’t adopted new technology.  I still draw with pen and paper.

JP: Before writing BECK, had you visited the U.S.?

HS: I had visited twice before this.  I participated in a home stay in Rutherford, NJ for 3 months and then visited Seattle.

JP: Which character in BECK do you most identify  with?

HS: Chiba and Koyuki.  Chiba is the evil Sakuishi and Koyuki is good side of me.  These characters show different sides of my personality

JP: BECK is all about music.  What are some of your favorite American bands?

HS: Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, and Stevie Wonder.  I also like Common and his new record.

JP: I’m a huge Stevie Wonder fan myself!  What is your favorite song?

HS: “Feeding Off the Love of the Land” is my favorite.  But I also really like “Higher Ground”.

JP: Has your background in music influenced your characters?

HS: Yes.  The way Koyuki holds his guitar is based on Tom Morello.  Chiba’s attitude and style are based on Zach De La Rocha.  Jimmy Paige inspired Rysuke and his guitar playing.

JP: I’ve heard that your character Saito-san is based on a real person.  Who is it?

HS: At home I go to a Sports Club and the real Saito-san is my own swimming mentor.

JP: So, I know you’re a huge baseball fan.  Who are your favorite teams?

HS: The Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and of course the Chunichi Dragons.

Photos by the Author