Interest

Artist's Thoughts on New GeGeGe no Kitaro Game

Shigeru Mizuki's manga series Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro premiered in 1959 and has since been converted into six different anime series and two live-action films. Inspired by old Japanese kamishibai (paper plays) and infused with Mizuki's deep knowledge of Japan's rich heritage of supernatural folklore and bizarre ghouls, it hearkens back to an era more earthy and simple than the glitzy, technologically saturated landscape of modern Japan. Mizuki, now 92, shared his disdain in several commercials for a new social media game inspired by the franchise.

Medama Oyaji (Eyeball Dad), the protagonist's father, asks Mizuki about the character designs for the game. Mizuki expresses his approval of Ittan Momen (the flying cloth) and Nurikabe (the wall), but poo-poohs the design for Medama Oyaji himself.

In this commercial, Medama Oyaji tells Mizuki how popular the game is. Mizuki's response is that "these days, life isn't very interesting."

Here Medama Oyaji pesters Mizuki to play the game, but is rebuffed repeatedly, since Mizuki doesn't have time.

GeGeGe no Kitaro: Youkai Yokochou ("Demon Alley") is a Yahoo! Mobile game that lets users develop businesses along a street frequented by demons while expelling bad demons.

[Image from Orochiguni Kankou]