Masamune Shirow

[Otaku_Bob]

The awesome manga-ka mind that created Appleseed and Ghost in the Shell. He may be one of the most famous manga-ka in Japan, but photos of him and personal autographs seem to be non-existent. If you know of anything that might have his autograph, please let me know.

[Spike]

All I know is that I love almost everything he's been involved with. And I wish they would make a wireless version of that mouse he designed.

[Anelis]

masamune is a god, no really have u seen the 2005 and 2006 calendar he did? and ghost in the shell and appleseed? plus he is a genius and he draws nice girls (that coming from a girl):)

[Otaku_Bob]

his 2006 calendar is on my wall, along with his cyberworld portfolio.
Also have intron depot 1, 2, & 3. all the appleseed manga's and dvd's.
All GITS mangas and DVD's. But I heard that there is Ghost in the Shell manga 1.5 that bridges the gap between the original GITS manga and Man machine interface. I'm still looking for it.

[Pig Head]

I've heard stories that he is a teacher in Japan somewhere and that Shirow is not even his real name. He is downright amazing though I agree. His work changed my whole conception of what manga is and can be-forget just manga, what sequential art as a whole can be.

[Otaku_Bob]

While I'm not sure if he is a teacher currently, I do know that his real name is Masanori Ota. Masamune Shirow is a name based on a legendary swordsman.
So far there are only two pictures of him that I know of:
This picture is one that he drew for Comickers Magazine;

http://www.asgard.gen.nz/images/anime/shirow/shirowcomickers.jpg
And this is an actual photo of him that he personally distorted;
http://www.asgard.gen.nz/images/anime/shirow/shirowphoto.jpg

Basically he wants people to know him from his artwork, not his name and face.

[Timid]

Apparently, he's a bit camera shy... he doesn't like photos being taken of him, and he was interviewed in a documentary extra on the Ghost In The Shell DVD with a couple of sketched images in place!

I must admit, his style of story telling is rich with a lot of... (reaches for dictionary :mad: ) philosophy, science and clever ideas. I like his artwork in particular (quite set apart from others too).