Rensuke Oshikiri: The Omnivore Manga Creator Unleashed
Rensuke Oshikiri, best known in the West for the beloved 90s gaming rom-com Hi Score Girl, boasts a manga career far more expansive and genre-defying. While Hi Score Girl charmed with nostalgia, Oshikiri-san has also delved into chilling supernatural horror with Sayuri and intense superpower sci-fi with Geniearth. In a recent interview, he shared insights into his diverse creative journey, his latest work, and the artistic passions that fuel his unique storytelling.
A Master of Genre-Hopping
One striking aspect of Oshikiri-san's career is his willingness to jump between vastly different genres. From the romantic comedy of Hi Score Girl to the dark revenge tale of Sayuri, and now the action-packed violence of Geniearth, he embraces a broad spectrum. Asked about readers following his genre shifts, his response is direct: "Don't be silly. The first reader was me... We prioritized the fact that the two of us enjoyed it first and foremost."
He describes himself as an "omnivore," driven by a simple yet powerful urge: boredom. "There's no way I'd draw another horror story straight after drawing one," he explains. This constant desire to explore new narrative territories keeps his work fresh and unpredictable. It is an intrinsic need to try "all sorts of genres," much like alternating steps in walking. He humorously admits to a personal tendency to take the "easy way out" in life, hoping to overcome that habit while fearlessly tackling diverse stories in his art.
Geniearth: Superpowers, Karma, and a Touch of Villainy
His latest English translated work, Geniearth, showcases his "violent tendencies exploded to the hilt." This series features an oppressed mutant minority and mysterious superpowers, drawing comparisons to American superhero comics. Oshikiri-san is indeed a fan, enjoying Marvel films and shows like Heroes, The 4400, and The Boys. He loves storylines where heroes combat unjust villains, admitting that watching them makes "the hero inside me starts to stir." Yet, he points out his own characters often have a "menacing look," playfully questioning if he might harbor a villain within himself.
Geniearth introduces a protagonist who accrues power from others' bad karma, enticing abuse only to retaliate with immense strength. This powerful fantasy of a victim standing up to bullies resonates deeply. While Oshikiri-san clarifies he has never been bullied, he states "my tolerance for unreasonable evil is extremely low." This fuels his desire for "a reversal of fortune in my stories," aiming to provide catharsis for his audience.
When asked about a Geniearth character who transforms into herbivorous animals, Oshikiri-san humorously expresses a desire for carnivore powers instead. His immediate choice? A great white shark, or even a Megalodon, for their "massive jaw" and formidable presence.
Beyond the Translated Three: Granba and Hi Score Girl DASH
Despite a lengthy career, only Hi Score Girl, Sayuri, and Geniearth have been translated into English. Oshikiri-san is eager for more of his works to be translated. He suggests Misumisō, another story about a bullied girl fighting back, and for fans of violence, Flame Eyes or Yuyami Special Attack Squad. However, the one he "really wants to see reach you all in English is Granba!" This "cursed work" features an old woman battling hundreds of monsters, a series so unique it once prompted a bookshop to tell him, "Please don't draw such self-indulgent manga ever again."
For fans of his most famous work, Hi Score Girl, the question of an English release for its sequel/spinoff, Hi Score Girl DASH, is pressing. Oshikiri-san shares the enthusiasm, revealing he's "desperate for it to come out as soon as possible" and receives numerous direct messages from overseas fans, some even "hurling abuse" in their eagerness for the sequel. He held back from blocking them, a testament to his appreciation for their passion.
His love for gaming, a cornerstone of Hi Score Girl, remains strong. A "gaming enthusiast through and through," he's been playing since age two. Currently, he's hooked on Factorio, and also enjoys Dead by Daylight, the Dark Souls series, and Street Fighter 6 (though he struggles with wins!). His passion extends to horror games like Reanimal, which he bought based on its "black packaging alone."
Sayuri's Chilling Vengeance and the Power of Emotional Explosions
Sayuri, his dark horror tale, stands out for its unique take on the genre, particularly with the formidable character of Granny. Oshikiri-san reveals Granny is inspired by his own mother, who would express anger at the senseless defeats often seen in Japanese horror films. His mother, a woman with "a will as strong as a vengeful spirit," taught him to "fend off even evil spirits." This inspiration led him to create a horror story where characters fight back, contrasting with the passive defeat often depicted in traditional Japanese horror.
Across all his works, a unifying theme is "an emotional explosion." Whether it's against "unjust evil, evil spirits, or even love," he is always visualizing that raw emotional release. He believes people worldwide harbor "bombs in their hearts" that societal rules prevent from detonating. His manga offers a safe space for these "massive explosions," inviting readers to enjoy and empathize. For his English-speaking fans, he pledges to "keep setting off bombs in my work for their sake!" Oshikiri-san's journey is one of continuous creation, driven by an insatiable desire to explore the full spectrum of human emotion through diverse, explosive stories.
