July
25 You say you want a color revolution

Range Murata plans to do nothing less than revolutionize the Japanese manga industry. His plan is simple: Introduce color to the exclusively black and white medium. Behind him, he has an army of artists anxious to work in color and the support of his publisher WaniMagazine Inc. to make his vision a reality.

This month WaniMagazine releases Robot Vol. 3 – a full color, oversize manga anthology – to Japanese audiences who most recently got their color fix with Vol. 2 in April. U.S. audiences, on the other hand, are just getting their first taste through the Digital Manga Publishing translation of Robot, Vol. 1.

Humble and soft-spoken, Murata expressed the difficulties in bringing this project to market. The added costs in production and printing have prevented other publishers from exploring color manga. Fortunately for Murata, WaniMagazine bought into his pitch as a way to reinvigorate the industry and break the growing number of artists working in color illustration. With three books behind them, this gamble just may pay off. "In Japan, it seems to be going really well right now," he says.

By introducing “Robot” to an American audience, Murata and DMP hope to tap into a more accessible audience. "[The American audience] is used to this stuff," says Murata. "They are closer to it and will accept it with open arms." Color helped Otomo Katsushiro's classic manga “Akira” gain cult status when it was published by Marvel Comics in 1988. TOKYOPOP continues this trend today with its Cine-Manga titles. Only time will tell if “Robot” sells as well or better herein the U.S., but DMP already has plans to translate and publish Vol. 2 for release in Q2 of 2006.

Murata has since moved on to his next project, doing character design for the next “GONZO” anime. He anxiously awaits the debut of sunglasses and watches from GoFa — the Gallery of Fantastic Art, — in Japan that feature his signature sterling and brushed stainless steel design. These products will make their debut at the GSX show in September. Fans still have awhile to wait before seeing his motorcycle design from “rule” come to life. "It's in the works," Murata says. "We really haven't made the definitive motorcycle yet."

Murata someday hopes to turn his attention to production design for live-action film, having conquered the worlds of manga, anime, videogames, collectibles and fashion. "I'll be happy to work for anyone," jokes Murata.

— By Rick Hernandez