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Susumu Matsushita (松下進 Matsushita Susumu; born February 6, 1950, in Fussa, Tokyo)[1] is a Japanese manga artist known for his unique American comic–influenced design. His most famous works are the designing of the mascots Neppie[a] and Ripsea[b] of the Orix Buffaloes, the concept art for the Monkey Magic television series, and video game artwork for Hudson's Adventure Island series (1986), Motor Toon Grand Prix (1994), and Maximo: Ghosts to Glory (2001).
Born in early 1950, Susumu Matsushita developed an aptitude for artistic design at a young age. He was influenced by animated Disney films featuring animal designs and by the American comics that were enjoyed by Matsushita's American uncle. He attended a specialized school and was educated in industrial design and later music where he gained a lasting appreciation for The Beatles.[2] During this period, Matsushita attended an exhibition by Alan Aldridge in Ikebukuro's Seibu Department Stores. Fascinated by Aldridge's original illustrations for The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics, the exhibition made a strong impression on Matsushita and he determined to learn how to use the airbrush. Within a few months of experimentation he completely shifted to graphic design and the airbrush became his primary tool.[3]
Matsushita began working as a freelance graphic designer in 1973.[1] He had difficulties marketing himself initially, however his career gained momentum after securing a 1976 deal with Magazine House[4] to produce magazine covers for the fashion magazine, Popeye. This was soon followed by a contract with Shueisha[4] in 1979 to creating artwork for Young Jump.[2] Matsushita's development of Young Jump's mascot, Mac Bear[1] (later Buddy Bear), was to provide a significant moment in his career as he would shift increasingly toward the development of characters and mascots.
Creating his own studio company in 1986, Matsushita immediately signed a contract with ASCII to produce covers for the video game magazine, Famicom Tsūshin (subsequently shortened to Famitsū). With professional connections to the Jump magazine line and to Famitsū, requests were made for the development of numerous mascots for magazine split-offs and for video game character designs. These in turn became business propositions for Matsushita to develop mascots for musical bands, sports leagues, and even commercial and industrial organizations.[1][2]
Matsushita's illustrations have frequently appeared in video game magazines including the creation of numerous covers for publications such as the Jump magazine line and Famitsu (for which Matsushita has designed the mascot, Necky the Fox[c][5][6]). Matsushita also designed Baby Necky[d][7] for younger readers and is responsible for creating the mascots of numerous Famitsu spinoff magazines including:
He also drew the old Shueisha Business Jump magazine's mascot, which was a mouse.[citation needed]
Matsushita has also designed mascots and characters for video games and collectible card games including:
In addition to creating characters for games and game magazines, Matsushita has also designed mascots for numerous sports organizations like the mascots for the 1994 Asian Games which were being hosted in Hiroshima at the time, Poppo[i] and Cuccu[j].[citation needed] Matsushita designed the Gamba Osaka's Gamba Boy[k][3] as well as the former Orix Buffaloes' mascots Neppie[l] and Ripsea[m].[citation needed]
Matsushita's designs, mascots, and characters have also appeared in the Kitakyushu-based theme park Space World (Matsushita designed Lucky Rabbit and friends),[17] Minato's All of Me Club,[1][15] and as concept art for the Monkey Magic television series.[citation needed]
Matsushita has exhibited his works on a number of occasions throughout his career. Career highlights include:
Matsushita is married to American-Japanese jazz singer Naomi Grace,[20] for whom he acts as producer.[2] Matsushita also performs with the band Honda Fujio & His GANG (本田富士旺＆His GANG).[4]