Who is the best mecha designer?
>>13524184
http://pastebin.com/UFvyYZnL
List for reference
>>13524195
How is that list missing some of the biggest names like Katoki, Okawara, and Nagano?
>>13524204
Because it's asking for the best.
>>13524204
It does though. The info on them is just at GEARs instead on in the paste itself
My personal top 5:
1. Mamoru Nagano
2. Shouji Kawamori
3. Kazumi Fujita
4. Yutaka Izubuchi
5. Akira Yasuda
>>13524184
Ebikawa
>>13524359
>Akira yasuda
I still need to watch King gainer but is there anything with similar organic/more rounded designs?
Izubuchi. While he doesn't deliver many mind-blowing masterpieces, most of his designs are very good, and he's consistently high quality (until he started directing and forgot how to draw). He's also extremely flexible, and can draw some incredible military and fantasy mecha.
Whoever designs the TSFs. I can't find their name. Also Kawamori and Ebikawa when he's not doing Gundam designs.
>>13525105
>Whoever designs the TSFs. I can't find their name.
That's Niθ. He also did the mecha for Demonbane, Comet Lucifer, Benmashi Cecil, etc. He's one of my favorites!
Yoji Shinkawa
>>13524204
Everyone already knows those guys as gods of mecha.
>>13524184
Depends on how you define best.
>>13524204
Because you apparently can't read since they're right there in the list and very easy to find?
>>13525320
great taste my friend
I think Nagano is the best when it comes to technical/artistic ability, but I have to agree with >>13525068 about Izubuchi being top spot because of his sheer diversity (and massive body of work, which Nagano sorely lacks). It's a damn shame what happened to him, but at least he isn't Shirow.
Okawara-sensei
Shinji Aramaki. Sadly, like Izubuchi, he doesn't draw much anymore either.
>>13525068
>>13525927
Have to agree with this because of what he did with Gelgoog, Sazabi, and pic related
>>13524184
Depends on what you're looking for.
>New, Lore-friendly UC designs
Katoki.
>Tasteful and faithful redesigns of Early UC stuff with attention to detail bordering on realism.
Takegawa.
>Retro charm
70's/modern Okawara
>Late UC
Early 90's Okawara
>futuristic and cool, but not overtly convoluted or busy
Fujita.
>cool guns and thruster layout
Izubuchi.
There's no real "best designer" but there are "best designers for specific categories."
>unique and outlandish
Nagano
>Alternate Universe
Ebikawa
>>13525927
>and massive body of work, which Nagano sorely lacks
To be fair, almost everything Nagano's ever worked on had a huge chunk of his designs being rejected.
>>13525995
That's because the ones he got rejected on were all Gundam series, and his designs were just way too out-there (i.e. Qubeley) for Gundam. Yet he's never submitted designs to any other animation studio that wasn't Sunrise. Nagano's designs would be more at home with a Bones or Ghibli production (where toy production means nothing), but Sunrise, nevermind Gundam? The man shot himself in the foot.
Ebikawa is the most fun.
His designs translate into figures/model kits extremely well.
>>13526046
Acguy is an Okawara design.
>>13526050
Yes but ebikawa added a bear head and a ribbon. That's fucking genius.
>>13526046
If you look at his FMP designs, every "chunk" of the armor can be easily molded on a separate runner in color. They seem to be based around an inner frame just like some recent gunpla/frame-arms and have adequate clearances that allow the frame to move freely.
I'm not saying Ebikawa's the best or that he has some unique aesthetic, but toys/kits based on his stuff always have that extra play factor.
>>13524184
Syd Mead.
>>13526086
Is it weird I love his FMP designs but dislike his Gundam stuff? I feel like he's too limited when he's working for Sunrise since he has to follow a lot of their requirements for a Gundam design.
>>13525292
>That's Niθ
Not really. The initial MLU designs (Gekishin, Shiranui, Fubuki, Takemikazuchi, Susanoo) are the end result of a bunch of collaboration and Nishii did some of the concepts and final art (he probably mostly contributed the sort of rugged angularity and detail of them as the other's concepts are a bit smooth and "futuristic" compared to the final designs) but most of the subsequent designs are Kouki Yoshimune's originals, with the exception of Active Eagle being done entirely by Fujirou, who normally just does clean up. The anime and VN's ACTV is based on the normal Eagle 3D model and thus loses Fujirou's distinctive style though.
Yanase did the Type 99 cannon.
>>13526120
00 Gundam is pretty much his FMP stuff with a Gundam head, and that is pretty fucking lazy and unlikable so sure.
>>13526097
Sadly underappreciated outside of /m/
>>13526131
I guess the other thing is Nishii is probably heavily responsible for how lanky and slim TSFs are in the original games because even in Yoshimune's oldest drawings a lot of the chunkiness and child bearing hips that are more prevalent in non-Japanese designs and more recent portrayals was already present.
Sprites like these come across as his work.
>>13526131
So weird seeing 3rd generation TSF's looking like 1st generations. Thanks for clearing up on who the designers actually are.
>>13526143
Gekishin wasn't so fat back then either.3
For completeness' sake one of the pages of the other dude whose name I forget.
>>13526138
What the hell are you going on about? Mead is considered one of the greatest sci-fi artists in the world.
>>13526003
Nagano has so far only worked with Yasuhiko and Tomino, so I get the impression that he doesn't really care about working below anyone else other than those two.
>>13524184
Irrelevant, the ZZ Gundam looks fugly no matter what.
>>13525068
Izubuchi is great, he's as prolific aw Okawara but a much better artist. Kind of wish he stuck with what he was good at instead of just directing.
>>13525320
Name one bad Shinkawa design.
You can't.
>>13528653
Metal Gear George Stroumboulopoulos
1. Okawara
2. Nagano
3. Obari
4. ishikawa
5 Syd mead
>>13528653
Saelanthropusidontknowhowtospellit
>>13526691
>as prolific as Okawara
yeah no he ain't
>>13524184
Shirow
Kobayashi
Nagano
Ishikawa
>>13524359
>5. Akira Yasuda
Huitzil a best.
>>13525927
>but at least he isn't Shirow.
Every fucking time.
>>13528917
Akiman only got onto my top 5 because of these two. Nothing more.
>>13528949
>>13528949
>>13528976
I should play Side Arms one of these days.
Not my favorite, but definitely one of the most underrated, Mika Akitaka. Unfortunately, he's always been set as second fiddle to Katoki and Nagano. He's the genius who gave us stuff like the Gundam Mk-V and some other Sentinel designs. My favorite designs of his though are the ones for Blassty (originally designed by Nagano), but I get the impression that Nagano also had a hand in them since many of the design traits are trademark Nagano (i.e. the mid-flex extra side elbow). Akitaka is also the guy who re-drew all the Mortar Headds for the FSS movie.
>no Kondo or Kobayashi
I'm honestly let down, /m/.
>>13529127
We kinda have a pretty sizable thread devoted to them already.
>>13529100
I'm pretty sure that the original game designs for Blassty were by Mika Akitaka (pic related), and the redesigns which appeared in Hobby Japan (like your pic) are by Masahisa Suzuki (who also did ARIEL, supplemental ships for Nadesico, and supporting mecha for GunHED.
>>13529517
>I'm pretty sure that the original game designs for Blassty were by Mika Akitaka (pic related)
Actually, now that I look at that pic, you might be right that that's early Nagano mecha design. It's a hard call... I still lean towards Akitaka, but Nagano is possible.
The later redesigns are unquestionably Masahisa Suzuki, though.
![metalgear_sentinel_new[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/zluWgQU.jpg "metalgear_sentinel_new[1].jpg")
>>13528670
>>13528729
Nope
Kawamori makes transforming/combining robots that actually physically transform/combine, and I like him for that.
Him making lego models of the robots to ensure that they actually transform before actually drawing the robot is a simple and yet amazing idea.
And his planes look good.
>>13529655
Kawamori used to be one of my favorites, but after Frontier he basically phoned it in on all of his designs, and his VFs became all samey. The new Macross 30 designs just reaffirm that.
>>13529956
The VF-31 is a redesigned YF-30 that's why.
>>13529956
>VFs became all samey.
Much like modern fighter designs.
Give someone a shot that hides the 1 or 2 slight differences and they won't be able to tell between the 2 that reliably.
We're getting the based Draken in Delta anyway.
>>13529956
>but after Frontier he basically phoned it in on all of his designs
He's only made three new designs since Frontier aired. Two of which are in the new upcoming anime. What the fuck are you on about?
>>13529990
>The VF-31 is a redesigned YF-30 that's why
And the YF-30 is a redesigned VF-29, and the 29 is a redesigned VF-25, which is a redesigned VF-24. Ho hum.
>>13530287
Wrong about the 30 and 29. They don't look or even transform alike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laWF3moG37E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBpBEWqgZjw
>>13530059
>Much like modern fighter designs.
You must have hated 7 then.
>>13530342
I love 7 for Basara.
>>13524184
Ebikawa
Takayuki Yanase
Shigeto Koyama
Nagano for weird hit or missNihei deserves a mention as well
>>13528653
>Ray
>Shagaohbehaveohod
>Gekkos
Basically most things he did after Rex
>>13525987
>Early 90's Okawara
God I love his designs from the F91 era, there were so many great ones but they just sit there on the shelf forgotten entirely.
>>13529655
Kawamori is amazing. I'm not too keen on his newer, skinnier designs, but the man's technical skill is unrivaled as far as I'm concerned. To me, his magnum opus will always be the Koenig monster. Having it transform into not one, but two additional modes, both of which look very good. It's designed completely opposite to how he normally works, starting from the alternate vehicle mode. On top of that, he had to start with an old design that had never meant to transform, never looked like it could be anything but a mobile artillery piece, and manage not only to munge in into a passable shuttle, but squeezed out a battroid mode out of nowhere as well. The Koenig, as silly as its premise is, is an absolute marvel of design.
>>13533052
I don't think his new designs are too skinny. Most of his older designs would look skinny if you molded them in 3D or as a physical model. He got away with chunky and unrealistic proportions for years in his 2D drawings.
>>13533159
>Most of his older designs would look skinny if you molded them in 3D or as a physical model.
You wot m8.
>>13533547
I said most not all, m8.
>>13533674
Good example would be the VF-17 battroid. He shortens the wings by quite a bit and buffs up the legs for his 2D model. Not to mention there's not enough room for the gunpod to fold up into the leg like we see in the anime.
>>13533681
It really depends on where you want to take each mode. The Yamato one could beef up the legs more than that and still look fine in fighter mode even but they're going for a tighter style for whatever reason.
As far as the new guys like VF-25, its proportions are mostly driven by being a much slimmer, shapelier plane to keep up with the times. The VF1 got away with a lot by being based on a beefy ass 80s plane.
>>13533823
>The VF1 got away with a lot by being based on a beefy ass 80s plane.
Modern planes are still very beefy though. The F-35 despite being a single engine fighter weighs almost as much as a F-15C does.
>>13533159
>He got away with chunky and unrealistic proportions for years in his 2D drawings.
You can get away with the same shit in 3D modeling as well. After all clipping is a serious problem is almost every 3D video game, and in terms of animation you can always hide unflattering angles from the viewer.
>>13533901
Yeah but Kawamori doesn't design VFs based on pigfat kuso 5th gen stealth planes like the F-35, but beautiful Russian waifus. I mean yeah the Tomcat is the same generation but its popularity was at its height during the Cold War while other planes started taking over the stage in the 90s.
There's also a difference between just being large and being thick.
>>13533901
>F-35
>beefy
Sounds like an american plane to me.
Superior russian design is slim and sexy.
>>13533918
But it's not as bad as this. Just look at how stumpy and fat that nose is for the battroid lineart. No way the VF-1's fighter mode is going to have a nose like that.
Shoji Kawamori and Yoji Shinkawa are my top 2
Kawamori from being a longtime Armored Core fan, but I just can't get enough of Shinkawas watercolor art style. It just looks so goddamn good.
Nagano's old stuff is really good too, but I'm not a fan of his newer designs.
how exactly do you determine who is best?
>>13535338
opinions
what mecha designers are also great character designers?
>>13535400
Akira Yasuda.
>>13535400
Shinkawa is the only one that comes to mind
>>13535414
Oh, and Shirow. Masamune Shirow's pretty good too
>>13535400
Nagano has improved significantly. While his people are still noodly, his faces are much better than what they once were and his outfits are sublime as usual.
>>13525068
>>13525985
>>13526691
izubuchi boys
>>13535400
>what mecha designers are also great character designers?
Masamune Shirow, once upon a time.
You know... Actually, now that I think about it, I'm coming to the conclusion that Kazutaka Miyatake is the best mecha designer.
Mister "other guy" of Studio Nue may not be my personal favorite (that would be Kazumi Fujita, though Miyatake is superb too) but having thought about it a lot I have concluded that he is technically the best.
Best place to ask, who designed the Sinanju from UC?
>>13529614
Goddamn those vulcan eyes are so goofy
They should have gone for a shorter-snouted red monoeye look, or replaced the vulcans with wide visor eyeshades
>>13539123
Hajime Katoki.
>>13536599
I like him much more than Kawamori at least.
>>13528949
>>13528976
>>13529037
My Brother!
Sadly, no art exists of the Alpha or Beta combo mecha.
>>13535299
I can never get enough of the White Glint. Was the kit good? I heard Kotobukiya produced shitty model kits.
>>13524184
>Who is the best mecha designer?
Hajime. Fucking. Katoki.
>>13543895
The man is a good illustrator and the shit he did with Gundam Fix back in the 90's are imho the most realistic pictures of Gundams I have ever seen...but still, >>13528949 Akiman circa Capcom is best.
>>13543056
I never built the WG kit, but I've built several others, and never had any real problems with them. The only real criticism I have is that some kits like the AALIYAH have really limited mobility, but that's more due to the design itself than the kit.
Whoever did everything in Wing
>>13529614
it still looks dumb as shit, sorry friendo.
Now D-Walker on the other hand...
mama mia, thats a spicy meatball
>>13543895
Katoki is overrated. Give me some ver. Ob already.
>>13528943
What the hell is this? I don't know all that much about Shirow, did he go through a creative meltdown or something?
>>13546690
>Akiman circa Capcom is best.
I don't understand this opinion. I mean, the guy's good, he's done good work, but just how mecha mecha work has he even done? Any more examples?
>>13549130
>Whoever did everything in Wing
That would be Kunio Okawara and Hajime Katoki. Only the two biggest names in Gundam design. You need to lurk more, Anon.
>>13549421
>What the hell is this?
A cowgirl getting fucked by a horsecockman, of course. Part of his "galgrease" series, I think.
>I don't know all that much about Shirow,
He used to do fantastic mecha and sci-fi fare, now all he does is porn.
>did he go through a creative meltdown or something?
Yes, he did. Google "shirow porn" and be surprised.
To be fair, it's good porn, if that's the sorta stuff you like. Well, it's good other than the fact that every single woman he draws has exactly the same figure.
>>13549421
The Kobe earthquake of '95 destroyed more than 35 years of his notes.
>>13546690
>Akiman circa Capcom is best
>>13524184
Who is the bestlookingmecha designer?
>>13526223
what other designers have experience in more practical areas? like car design or product design or anything like that?
>>13551314
Nagano by a long shot, even he knows.
>>13551332
Katoki is a trained mechanical engineer who also does design work for Gunpla models, Kawamori was an aeronautical engineer who dropped out, and Nagano was a fashion designer who dropped out. That's all I can think of at the top of my head.
Kawamori, Yutaka Izubuchi and Shirow.
![3119780623_4ca9d5e93c[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/INr6x0S.jpg "3119780623_4ca9d5e93c[1].jpg")
>>13551314
Kawamori has that rugged handsome Jomon face.
>>13551348
>Katoki is a trained mechanical engineer
No.
Fuck off.
>>13551332
Well, Kawamori designed the AIBO robot dog for Sony in 2001.
He also has an aeronautical background.
>>13551559
Nice counterargument twat.
Katoki was the head engineer for the early HGUC line and a good chunk of the early MG's past the original MG Zeta. You want to know how ver Ka's exist? Because Katoki is literally the guy who engineers them. He does a lot more than just draw lineart.
>>13551854
Did someone hit you in the head with a baseball bat?
He "supervises" Ver.Ka, which pretty much just means instead of fucking off and leaving the hobby division to do whatever based on the art they come back to him to to get his opinion and fill in any design details.
>>13551896
>He "supervises" Ver.Ka, which pretty much just means instead of fucking off and leaving the hobby division to do whatever based on the art they come back to him to to get his opinion and fill in any design details.
You are beyond retarded. Katoki doesn't supervise, he's part of the engineering process. All those CAD files you see in the ver Ka manuals? All his work. Even in some old MG's you can see his design work in the back of the cardboard covers drawn out. Parts separation and joint design and such.
Do some research before you spout some more bullshit next time.
>>13551896
Way to not know absolutely anything. What sets Katoki apart from other mecha designers is his background in Industrial Design and Engineering. By trade, he's making things that are fit to be a product of some sort from day 1. He's approaching things from an engineering, managerial, marketing, and manufacturing perspective that's quite rare that so far no one has been able to match. That's why he's in the cocksucking position he's in, because he's actually that good. His work generates money.
>>13552220
Kawamori came quite close since he used to design transforming toys for Takara back in its Diaclone days, but yeah, the point still stands.
>>13552220
>What sets Katoki apart from other mecha designers is his background in Industrial Design and Engineering
No. It's not. Stop making shit up. He has an education in industrial design which is not actual engineering. Are you literally retarded? IDs work WITH engineers and marketeers, they're glorified draftsman, which is why his art is good but saying that he's the one who engineered the kits is a joke. He's not qualified for it.
>>13551348
>Kawamori was an aeronautical engineer who dropped out, and Nagano was a fashion designer who dropped out
That says a lot, doesn't it?
>>13552330
What was your point? Anno was expelled, and look how well he's doing.
>>13552335
No, I meant their choices.
Kawamori went on to make fighter jet robots and Nagano fashion model mechas.
>>13552321
>Katoki is the one that made the convoluted Zeta Gundam transformation a reality without part swapping in the MG kit which was released in 1996. This preceded the GFF line in the Bandai Collectors department by many years. In addition Katoki's illustrations have been the basis for the vast majority of the MG line and also the HGUC line and he is also heavily involved in their engineering. He's not just a guy, he's THE guy that's made the HGUC and MG lines what it is today.
>he is also heavily involved in their engineering
http://www.mechatalk.net/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=15166&start=60
From Derringer, aka the closest thing you can get to an English-speaking Bandai representative. Katoki is both a designer and an engineer.
>>13551403
That is a pretty manly face, have to admit
