Abstract

“People cannot truly understand one another. But that is where it all begins.” —Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, creator of the legendary Mobile Suit Gundam. This volume traces the origins of the artist, who, after participating in the All Campus Joint Struggle Committee movement and being expelled from university, went on to chart a singular path within the world of subculture. It also features a dialogue with psychiatrist Ryoji Aritsuka—their first meeting in half a century, set in the northern region.

Author’s Information

Yoshikazu Yasuhiko was born in Hokkaido in 1947. He entered Hirosaki University but was expelled as a result of student activism. After moving to Tokyo, he worked at Mushi Production before becoming a freelance animator, creating works such as "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Giant Gorg," and later became a manga artist. His major works include "Arion," "Star of Kurd," "Rainbow Trotsky," "The Royal Dog," "Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN," and "Inui and Tatsumi."

Mitsumasa Saito was born in Iwate Prefecture in 1959 and raised in Aomori Prefecture. As a reporter for the "To-o Nippo," he wrote many major articles in the fields of military affairs, defense, and history. He passed away in July 2025. His major works include "US Military 'Secret' Base Misawa," "The Postwar's Biggest Forgery Case: 'Tōnisugaru Gaisan-gunshi'," and "New Cold War Studies," and he edited "The Eyes of War Photographer Kyōichi Sawada."