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ギミック！ [Gimmick!] #1
Gimmick!, Vol. 1
Kohei Nagase, a genius when it comes to makeup and special effects. He uses his skills to expertly disguise people from the press, criminals, or anyone wanting to do them harm.
Things get rolling for Kohei and his stuntman sidekick Shingo when a sexy young starlet asks for their help in ditching her sleazy manager. Later, Kohei is commissioned to replace some zombies at a local horror theme park, but can he also prevent a disgruntled make-up artist from blowing the attraction sky high? And an actress whose reputation was sidelined by an accident that left her body scarred hopes Kohei can get her career back on track.
Things get rolling for Kohei and his stuntman sidekick Shingo when a sexy young starlet asks for their help in ditching her sleazy manager. Later, Kohei is commissioned to replace some zombies at a local horror theme park, but can he also prevent a disgruntled make-up artist from blowing the attraction sky high? And an actress whose reputation was sidelined by an accident that left her body scarred hopes Kohei can get her career back on track.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 12 reviews
February 5, 2010
Gimmick! revolves around one of the most basic concepts of modern Manga: a protagonist does one thing, and does it well. Kohei Nagase is not a spots professional, nor a ninja, nor a super-spy. He is a special effects artist. Specifically, he focuses on make-up effects, although he tries his hand in pyrotechnics and other sleight of theatre...
His buddy/sidekick Kannakuzi is similarly talented, although as a professional movie stunt man. So, what miraculous feats one cannot perform is sure to have been perfected by the other. The combination formulates “The Fall Guy” crossed with “Darkman.”
In Volume 1, Kohei finds himself practicing his art both inside and outside of the movie set. Self-exiled from Hollywood, Kohei makes his living in Japan, following through on jobs given to him by his agent, the beautiful (yet temperamental) Miss Shiho. Kohei helps to protect a rising starlet from danger – as well as her own agent – by use of his astonishing skill with movie makeup. And, in an attempt to preserve the spirit of a fun Japanese horror theme park (focusing on “fun monsters” as opposed to the merely grotesque), he finds himself deeply enmeshed with a case of sabotage, blackmail, extortion, kidnapping, and attempted murder (amongst other unpleasantries). The book ends with Kohei's salvaging of an injured beauty's movie career (he protects her image by masking a hideous scar upon her torso – the aftermath of a terrible car accident), and falling into harm's way when he creates an animatronic beast for a dubious client...
As it stands, it is not a particularly unique or interesting read. However, it is a step up, maturity-level wise, from your standard Viz Media Shonen Jump material. Coarse language is used (albeit sparingly), as well as topless portrayals of bikini models. You ill not find this in the children's monthly magazine, but the plot lines are remarkably similar. Though Kohei quickly explains his methods (to clarify why there would appear to be multiple “versions” of a character within a single storyline, for instance, or to shed some light upon some of the more intricate explosions or visual effects), they are not entirely necessary – the reader of such fare is most likely willing to suspend disbelief at some of the more outrageous passages (a man passing for an attractive young girl after mere minutes of intensive makeup and masking preparations being one of the mildest examples of such)...
But no one should expect Gimmick! to reflect reality. It is a reflection of Hollywood influencing a form of “reality.”
His buddy/sidekick Kannakuzi is similarly talented, although as a professional movie stunt man. So, what miraculous feats one cannot perform is sure to have been perfected by the other. The combination formulates “The Fall Guy” crossed with “Darkman.”
In Volume 1, Kohei finds himself practicing his art both inside and outside of the movie set. Self-exiled from Hollywood, Kohei makes his living in Japan, following through on jobs given to him by his agent, the beautiful (yet temperamental) Miss Shiho. Kohei helps to protect a rising starlet from danger – as well as her own agent – by use of his astonishing skill with movie makeup. And, in an attempt to preserve the spirit of a fun Japanese horror theme park (focusing on “fun monsters” as opposed to the merely grotesque), he finds himself deeply enmeshed with a case of sabotage, blackmail, extortion, kidnapping, and attempted murder (amongst other unpleasantries). The book ends with Kohei's salvaging of an injured beauty's movie career (he protects her image by masking a hideous scar upon her torso – the aftermath of a terrible car accident), and falling into harm's way when he creates an animatronic beast for a dubious client...
As it stands, it is not a particularly unique or interesting read. However, it is a step up, maturity-level wise, from your standard Viz Media Shonen Jump material. Coarse language is used (albeit sparingly), as well as topless portrayals of bikini models. You ill not find this in the children's monthly magazine, but the plot lines are remarkably similar. Though Kohei quickly explains his methods (to clarify why there would appear to be multiple “versions” of a character within a single storyline, for instance, or to shed some light upon some of the more intricate explosions or visual effects), they are not entirely necessary – the reader of such fare is most likely willing to suspend disbelief at some of the more outrageous passages (a man passing for an attractive young girl after mere minutes of intensive makeup and masking preparations being one of the mildest examples of such)...
But no one should expect Gimmick! to reflect reality. It is a reflection of Hollywood influencing a form of “reality.”
September 19, 2015
Quick thoughts: Fun manga centered around a special effects wiz. Makes good use of the episodic format and I really like the variety of stories so far.
June 14, 2010
This manga was about Nagase Kohei, who works as special effects artist and gets into predicaments (and such)
Its a really funny series, the first was of course one of the best to read, I would recommend this series to anyone and everyone, I hope everyone gets to reading this really awesome book, and all the others in the series.
Its a really funny series, the first was of course one of the best to read, I would recommend this series to anyone and everyone, I hope everyone gets to reading this really awesome book, and all the others in the series.
August 20, 2025
Kohei is a gifted special affects artist that is gaining popularity for his skills at hiding people from fans and criminals alike, being hired by the likes of fairs and actors! Kanari begins an intriguing series with enjoyable beginning entry. Can Kohei brings his fame to the max with some stellar works of art?
September 5, 2023
September 2023. A fun manga about a practical effects make up artist who helps people in need in various ways with his genius level skills. His stuntman friend and coworker serves as his sidekick and uses his skills accordingly.
Usually includes helping a beautiful woman that isn’t interested in either of them.
This was light and fun for the most part, I didn’t love it but I enjoyed it. A solid 3 stars; not in a rush to borrow more volumes but I could see going back to it to read more eventually. Not one I’d buy.
Borrowed with my library card via the Link+ system letting me borrow from other parts of California.
“Gimmick” vol 1 by Youzaburou Kanari and Kuroko Yabugochi.
Usually includes helping a beautiful woman that isn’t interested in either of them.
This was light and fun for the most part, I didn’t love it but I enjoyed it. A solid 3 stars; not in a rush to borrow more volumes but I could see going back to it to read more eventually. Not one I’d buy.
Borrowed with my library card via the Link+ system letting me borrow from other parts of California.
“Gimmick” vol 1 by Youzaburou Kanari and Kuroko Yabugochi.
January 26, 2010
An interesting premise: Kohei Nagase is a makeup and special effects master who helps people in need: trouble with the law? hiding out from an abusive ex? fanatical fan won't leave you alone? Studio Gimmick is here to help! A little bit serious and a whole lot silly this first volume ends on a cliff hanger (I hate that!) as one of Kohei's creations is co-opted by bad guys.
December 6, 2008
I wish the hero weren't such a perv. It's a cheap joke, and I think the series really can stand on its own merits. All the background information about special effects and make-up tricks is pretty fascinating. The art is also really well-done.
May 2, 2012
2.5 stars
December 21, 2015
:') i actually loved this OMG
it is sooo goooddd
holy crap
i learnt a lot from this
LIFE LESSONS LEARNT
it is sooo goooddd
holy crap
i learnt a lot from this
LIFE LESSONS LEARNT
January 19, 2015
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February 11, 2016
Love props so this was right up my alley
Displaying 1 - 11 of 12 reviews