Editing Masamune Shirow

{{Short description|Japanese manga artist (born 1961)}}
{{BLP sources|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox comics creator
| name_nonEN    = 士郎 正宗
| nonUS         = ja
| birth_name    = Masanori Ota
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1961|11|23}}
| birth_place   = [[Kobe, Hyogo|Kobe]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture]], Japan
| death_date    =
| death_place   =
| nationality   = Japanese
| area          = [[Manga artist]]
| alias         = Shirou Masamune
| notable works = ''[[Appleseed (manga)|Appleseed]]'', ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]''
| awards        = [[Seiun Award]] (for ''[[Appleseed (manga)|Appleseed]]'')
| website       = {{URL|http://www.shirowledge.com/}}
| manga artist = y
}}
{{Anime}}

{{Nihongo|'''Masanori Ota'''|太田正典|Ōta Masanori|born November 23, 1961}}, better known by his [[pen name]] {{Nihongo|'''Masamune Shirow'''|士郎 正宗|Shirō Masamune}}<!--Western order as per http://web.archive.org/web/19970710050520/http://www.dhorse.com/dhonline/int/index.html -->, is a Japanese [[manga artist]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.takotech.net/mshd/shirow/ |title=MSHD: About Shirow Masamune |access-date=2009-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724204348/http://www.takotech.net/mshd/shirow/ |archive-date=2017-07-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shirow is best known for the manga ''[[Ghost in the Shell (manga)|Ghost in the Shell]]'', which has since been turned into three theatrical [[anime]] films, two anime television series, an anime television film, an anime [[Original net animation|ONA]] series, a theatrical [[live action]] film, and several [[video game]]s. As well as being a key figure in the development of [[cyberpunk]] aesthetics and themes in Japan during the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Fifty key figures in cyberpunk culture |date=2022 |publisher=Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group |isbn=978-0-367-54917-6 |editor-last=McFarlane |editor-first=Anna |location=New York |pages=194-196 |editor-last2=Murphy |editor-first2=Graham J. |editor-last3=Schmeink |editor-first3=Lars}}</ref>

==Life and career==
Born in the [[Hyōgo Prefecture]] capital city of [[Kobe, Hyogo|Kobe]], he studied oil painting at [[Osaka University of Arts]]. While in college, he developed an interest in [[manga]], which led him to create his own complete work, ''[[Black Magic M-66|Black Magic]]'', which was published in the manga ''[[dōjinshi]]'' ''Atlas''. His work caught the eye of {{ill|Seishinsha|jp|青心社|vertical-align=sup}} President Harumichi Aoki, who offered to publish him.

The result was best-selling<ref>{{Cite book |last=McCarthy |first=Helen |author-link=Helen McCarthy |year=2009 |title=500 Essential Anime Movies: The Ultimate Guide |publisher=Harper Design |page=42 |isbn=978-0061474507}}</ref> manga ''[[Appleseed (manga)|Appleseed]]'', a full volume of densely plotted drama taking place in an ambiguous future. The story was a sensation, and won the 1986 [[Seiun Award]] for Best Manga. After a professional reprint of ''Black Magic'' and a second volume of ''Appleseed'', he released ''[[Dominion (manga)|Dominion]]'' in 1986. Two more volumes of ''Appleseed'' followed before he began work on ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]''. His work has been cited as an influence on [[The Wachowskis]] and the development of the popular [[The Matrix (franchise)|Matrix film series]]. <ref name=":0" />

In 2007, he collaborated again with [[Production I.G]] to co-create the original concept for the anime television series ''[[Ghost Hound]]'', Production I.G's 20th anniversary project. A further original collaboration with Production I.G began airing in April 2008, titled ''[[Real Drive]]''. His work often explores the philosophical themes of [[cyberpunk]] such as the nature of [[Posthumanism|post-human]] existence, [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] and the ethics of biotechnology, human–machine relations, [[multiculturalism]], and [[globalism]]. <ref name=":0" />

==Bibliography==
===Manga===
{{Nihongo|''[[Dominion (manga)|Dominion]]''|ドミニオン|Dominion}} series:
# {{Nihongo|''Dominion''|ドミニオン|Dominion}} (1985–1986)
# "Dominion: Phantom of the Audience" (1988), short story
# {{Nihongo|''Dominion Conflict One: No More Noise''|ドミニオンC1コンフリクト|Dominion C1 Konfurikuto}} (1995)

{{Nihongo|''[[Ghost in the Shell (manga)|Ghost in the Shell]]''|攻殻機動隊|Kōkaku Kidōtai}} series:
# {{Nihongo|''Ghost in the Shell''|攻殻機動隊|Kōkaku Kidōtai}} (1989–1990)
# {{Nihongo|''Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor''|攻殻機動隊 HUMAN-ERROR PROCESSOR|Kōkaku Kidōtai Hyūman Erā Purosessā}} (1991–1996)
# {{Nihongo|''Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface''|攻殻機動隊 MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE|Kōkaku Kidōtai Manmashīn Intāfēsu}} (1997)

Stand-alones:

* {{Nihongo|''[[Black Magic (manga)|Black Magic]]''|ブラックマジック|Burakku Majikku}} (1983)
* {{Nihongo|''[[Appleseed (manga)|Appleseed]]''|アップルシード|Appurushīdo}} (1985–1989)
* {{Nihongo|''Gun Dancing''|グン・ダンシング}} (1986)
* {{Nihongo|''Pile Up''|ピル・ウプ}} (1987)
* {{Nihongo|''[[Orion (manga)|Orion]]''|仙術超攻殻オリオン|Senjutsu Chōkōkaku Orion}} (1990–1991)
* ''Exon Depot'' (1992)
* {{Nihongo|''Neuro Hard'', or ''Neuro Hard: Planet of the Bees'', or ''Neuro Hard: Planet of the Wasps''|NEURO HARD 蜂の惑星|Neuro Hard: Hachi no Wakusei}} (1992–1994)
* {{Nihongo|''Ghost Hound: Another Side''|神霊狩 ANOTHER SIDE|Shinreigari: Another Side}} (2007–2008)
* {{Nihongo|''Real Drive''|RD 潜脳調査室|RD Sennou Chousashitsu}} (2008)

===Art books===
A substantial amount of Shirow's work has been released in [[art book]] or poster book format, some being hentai. The following is an incomplete list.

* ''[[Intron Depot 1]]'' (1992) (science fiction–themed color illustration art book collecting his work from 1981 to 1991)
* ''Intron Depot 2: Blades'' (1998) (fantasy-themed color illustration art book featuring female characters with armor and edged weapons)
* ''Cybergirls Portfolio'' (2000)
* ''Intron Depot 3: Ballistics'' (2003) (military-themed color illustration and CG art book featuring female characters with guns)
* ''Intron Depot 4: Bullets'' (2004) (color illustration art book collecting his work between 1995 and 1999)
* ''Intron Depot 5: Battalion'' (2012) (game & animation artwork covering the period 2001–2009)
* ''Intron Depot 6: Barb Wire 01'' (2013) (illustrations for novels 2007–2010)
* ''Intron Depot 7: Barb Wire 02'' (2013) (illustrations for novels 2007–2010)
* ''Intron Depot 8: Bomb Bay'' (2018) (illustrations 1992–2009)
* ''Intron Depot 9: Barrage Fire'' (2019) (illustrations 1998–2017)
* ''Intron Depot 10: Bloodbard'' (2020) (illustrations 2004–2019)
* ''Intron Depot 11: Bailey Bridge'' (2020) (illustrations 2012–2014)
* ''Intron Depot 12: Burnout Velocity'' (2024) (illustrations 2015)
* ''Kokin Toguihime Zowshi Shu'' (2009)
* ''Pieces 1'' (2009)
* ''Pieces 2: Phantom Cats'' (2010)
* ''Pieces 3: Wild Wet Quest'' (2010)
* ''Pieces 4: Hell Hound 01'' (2010)
* ''Pieces 5: Hell Hound 02'' (2011)
* ''Pieces 6: Hell Cat'' (2011)
* ''Pieces 7: Hell Hound 01 & 02 Miscellaneous Work + α'' (2011)
* ''Pieces 8: Wild Wet West'' (2012)
* ''Pieces 9: Kokon Otogizoshi Shu Hiden'' (2012)
* ''Pieces GEM 01: The Ghost in The Shell Data + α'' (2014)
* ''Pieces GEM 02: Neuro Hard Bee Planet'' (2015)
* ''Pieces GEM 03: Appleseed Drawings'' (2016)
* ''W-Tails Cat 1'' (2012)
* ''W-Tails Cat 2'' (2013)
* ''W-Tails Cat 3'' (2016)
* ''W-Tails Cat 4'' (2025)
* ''W-Tails Cat Rough'' (2025)
* ''Greaseberries 1'' (2014)
* ''Greaseberries 2'' (2014)
* ''Greaseberries 3'' (2018)
* ''Greaseberries 4'' (2019)
* ''Greaseberries Rough'' (2019)

===Galgrease===
''Galgrease'' (published in ''Uppers Magazine'', 2002) is the collected name of several [[hentai]] manga and poster books by Shirow. The name comes from the fact that the women depicted often look "greased".

The first series of ''Galgrease'' booklets included four issues each in the following settings:

* ''Wild Wet West'' ([[Wild West]]-themed)
* ''Hellhound'' ([[Horror (genre)|Horror]]-themed)
* ''Galhound'' (Near-future [[science fiction]]–themed)

The second series included another run of 12 booklets in the following worlds:

* ''Wild Wet Quest'' (A ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' or ''[[Indiana Jones]]''–style sequel to ''Wild Wet West'')
* ''Hellcat'' ([[Pirate]]-themed)
* ''Galhound 2'' (Near-future [[science fiction]]–themed)

After each regular series, there were one or more bonus poster books that revisited the existing characters and settings.

===Minor works===
* "Areopagus Arther" (1980), published in ''ATLAS'' (dōjinshi)
* "Yellow Hawk" (1981), published in ''ATLAS'' (dōjinshi)
* "Colosseum Pick" (1982), published in ''Funya'' (dōjinshi)
* "Pursuit (Manga)" (1982), published in ''Kintalion'' (dōjinshi)
* "Opional Orientation" (1984), published in ''ATLAS'' (dōjinshi)
* "Battle on Mechanism" (1984), published in ''ATLAS'' (dōjinshi)
* "Metamorphosis in Amazoness" (1984), published in ''ATLAS'' (dōjinshi)
* "Arice in Jargon" (1984), published in ''ATLAS'' (dōjinshi)
* "Bike Nut" (1985), published in ''Dorothy'' (dōjinshi)
* "Gun Dancing" (1986), published in ''Young Magazine Kaizokuban''
* "Colosseum Pick" (1990), published in ''Comic Fusion Atpas'' (dōjinshi)

===Other===
* Design of the MAPP1-SM mouse series<ref>''[http://www.elecom.co.jp/news/20021015/mapp/ MAPP1-SM mouse series]''</ref> (2002, commissioned by [[Elecom]])
* ''[[Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn]]'' (2012–2024), original concept
* Design of the EHP-SH1000 and EHP-SL100 headphones<ref>''[https://www2.elecom.co.jp.e.gj.hp.transer.com/avd/headphone/pickup/sh1000_sl100/ EHP-SH1000 and EHP-SL100 headphones]''</ref> (2016, commissioned by Elecom)

==Adaptations==
===Anime===

====Film====
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell (1995 film)|Ghost in the Shell]]'' (1995) by [[Mamoru Oshii]]
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence]]'' (2004) by Mamoru Oshii
* ''[[Appleseed (2004 film)|Appleseed]]'' (2004) by [[Shinji Aramaki]]
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society]]'' (2006) by [[Kenji Kamiyama]]
* ''[[Appleseed Ex Machina]]'' (2007) by Shinji Aramaki and [[John Woo]]
* ''[[Appleseed Alpha]]'' (2014) by Shinji Aramaki and Joseph Chou
* ''[[Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn]]'' (2015) by [[Munenori Nawa]]
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie]]'' (2016) by {{ill|Kazuya Nomura|jp|野村和也|vertical-align=sup}}

====OVAs and ONAs====
* ''[[Black Magic (manga)#OVA|Black Magic M-66]]'' (1987) by [[Hiroyuki Kitakubo]] and Shirow Masamune (this is the only anime in which Shirow played a direct role in the production)
* ''[[Appleseed (1988 film)|Appleseed]]'' (1988) by [[Kazuyoshi Katayama]]
* ''[[Dominion (manga)#Original video animations|Dominion]]'' (1988) by Takaaki Ishiyama and [[Kôichi Mashimo]]
* ''[[Dominion (manga)#Original video animations|New Dominion Tank Police]]'' (1990) by Noboru Furuse and Junichi Sakai
* ''Landlock'' (1995) by Yasuhiro Matsumura (character and [[mecha]] designs only)
* ''Gundress'' (1999) by Junichi Sakai (character and mecha designs only)
* ''[[Dominion (manga)#Original video animations|Tank Police Team: Tank S.W.A.T. 01]]'' (2006) by Romanov Higa
* ''W Tails Cat: A Strange Presence'' (2013)
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Arise]]'' (2013) by [[Kazuchika Kise]]
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045]]'' (2020) by [[Shinji Aramaki]] and [[Kenji Kamiyama]]

====Television====
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex]]'' (2003) by [[Kenji Kamiyama]] (also called ''Alone on Earth'' or ''GitS:SAC'')
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG]]'' (2004) by Kenji Kamiyama (second season of ''GitS:SAC'')
* ''[[Ghost Hound]]'' (2007) by [[Ryūtarō Nakamura]]; original concept in collaboration with [[Production I.G]]
* ''[[Real Drive]]'' (2008) by [[Kazuhiro Furuhashi]]; original concept in collaboration with Production I.G
* ''[[Appleseed XIII]]'' (2011) by [[Takayuki Hamana]]
* ''[[List of Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative Architecture episodes|Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Alternative Architecture]]'' (2015) by Kazuchika Kise
* ''[[Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn]]'' (2016) by [[Munenori Nawa]], original concept for the source manga
* ''[[The Ghost in the Shell (2026 TV series)|The Ghost in the Shell]]'' (2026) by Moko-chan

===Live action===
* [[Ghost in the Shell (2017 film)|''Ghost in the Shell'']] (2017) by [[Rupert Sanders]]

===Video games===

====PC Engine====
* ''[[Toshi Tensou Keikaku: Eternal City]]'' (action platformer)

====Super Famicom====
* ''[[Appleseed (manga)#Games|Appleseed: Oracle of Prometheus]]''

====Nintendo DS====
* ''[[Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon]]'' (strategy RPG)

====PlayStation====
* ''[[Project Horned Owl]]''
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell (video game)|Ghost in the Shell]]''
* ''[[Yarudora Series Vol. 3: Sampaguita]]''
* ''GunDress''

====PlayStation 2====
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2004 video game)|Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex]]''
*''[[Appleseed EX]]''

====PlayStation Portable====
* ''[[Yarudora Series Vol. 3: Sampaguita]]''
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2005 video game)|Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex]]''

====Microsoft Windows====
* ''[[Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - First Assault Online]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.jai2.com/MSivu.htm |last= Schodt |first=Frederik L. |author-link=Frederik L. Schodt |title=An Interview With Masamune Shirow |date=January 28, 1998 |publisher=JAI2, The World of Frederik L. Schodt}}
*{{cite web |work=Authors and Artists for Young Adults |title=Shirow, Masamune |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/shirow-masamune|publisher=[[Cengage]]/[[Encyclopedia.com]] |access-date=30 October 2019}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Anime and manga|Biography}}
*{{Official website|http://www.shirowledge.com/index_enu.html}}
*{{Anime News Network|people|2993}}
*{{IMDb name|0794385}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160305110610/http://mediaarts-db.jp/mg/authorities/4586 Masamune Shirow] at Media Arts Database {{in lang|ja}}
*[https://www.mangaupdates.com/authors.html?id=827 Masamune Shirow] at [https://www.mangaupdates.com/ Baka-Updates Manga]

{{Masamune Shirow}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shirow, Masamune}}
[[Category:Masamune Shirow| ]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century pseudonymous writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century pseudonymous writers]]
[[Category:Art writers]]
[[Category:Cyberpunk writers]]
[[Category:Hentai creators]]
[[Category:Japanese animators]]
[[Category:Japanese erotic artists]]
[[Category:Japanese erotica writers]]
[[Category:Japanese science fiction writers]]
[[Category:Japanese science fiction artists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Manga artists from Hyōgo Prefecture]]
[[Category:Osaka University of Arts alumni]]
[[Category:Artists from Kobe]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous artists]]