Satoshi Okano-san once again on his Sonic designs

News from 2019.08.29
Archived on 2019.09.09

Satoshi Okano-san once again clarified that the cover of SEGA Saturn magazine, illustration of Sonic 3D, and the character design of Samba de Amigo are his works, not of Uekawa-san's as often mistaken for. And he is surprised by the high amount of responses he received.

(Collection of previous tweets: see this post)

It was said, "I liked it, & you described" the cover of Segasaturn magazine and illustration of sonic 3D from Naka-san & Hoshino-san. The character design of Samba de amigo is my work. I 'm mistaken for most Uekawa-san of my work. I'm understands it. It's OK🙆‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/P8ssQCCqJZ

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) August 29, 2019

I understand it. I don't talk about my many pasts. I handed over the credit of samba de amigo to Uekawa-san. He is actually an art director. So, I'm a character designer🤗 https://t.co/VHxp7s8hZ4

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) August 29, 2019

↓　 ↓　 ↓　

Arrival of Reiwa era

News from 2019.05.01
Archived on 2019.05.02

And now it's Reiwa!

🔵 Japanese people celebrating the arrival of the new era Reiwa.
⬇

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) April 30, 2019

SEGA of Japan's promise for Reiwa... 

ハロー令和！#ハロー令和

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 30, 2019

"Hello Reiwa!"
- SEGA Official

新元号は

「令和（れいわ）」！

令和元年、はじまります。#新元号 #令和 #令和元年 pic.twitter.com/5oR2OpZFVg

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 1, 2019

"New era name is 'Reiwa'!
The first year of Reiwa is starting."
- SEGA Official

そういえばこちらの「せがた三四郎アクリルスタンド ※2019年5月中旬頃出荷分」、セガストアにて予約再開しました。https://t.co/6X8PSfcKDG pic.twitter.com/RAidQ2Y2og

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 30, 2019

"By the way, this Segata Sanshiro acrylic stand can be pre-ordered again on SEGA STORE."
- SEGA Official

令和元年、新時代の幕開け！

創造は生命の精神のもと、われわれが創造してきたのは、驚き、熱狂、喜びなど製品やサービスを通じた感動体験です。

令和時代もセガグループは感動体験を創造し続けますので、皆様の応援をよろしくお願いいたします！https://t.co/Gf963hiGIs

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 30, 2019

"Reiwa Year One - the beginning of a new era!
Under the motto 'Creation is Life', we have been creating sensational experiences of surprise and joy through our products and services.
SEGA Group will continue to provide you great experiences in Reiwa era. Please keep on supporting us!"
- SEGA Official

#ハロー令和

昭和の終わりに発売されたメガドライブが、令和最初の新ハード「メガドライブミニ」（6,980円）として9月発売予定です。

全国のゲームショップなど実店舗にはまだまだ数に余裕あります。令和元年9月、ご期待ください！https://t.co/EzDAluFWON #メガドラミニ pic.twitter.com/vsWEWFi8py

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 30, 2019

"Hello Reiwa
MEGA DRIVE which was released at the end of Showa is reincarnating as Reiwa's first new hardware 'MEGA DRIVE MINI'.
There are still many available at game shops allover Japan. Please look forward to the first September of Reiwa!"
- SEGA Official

Satoshi Okano-san is the artist behind Sonic Jam and Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island!

News from 2019.04.30
Archived on 2019.05.01

Long-time confusion over artist behind Sonic Jam and Sonic 3D solved!
Upon a post by a fan who credited the Sonic art for Sonic Jam as Uekawa-san, Satoshi Okano-san, the actual artist who created this cover art, corrected the misunderstandings.

According to him, SEGA held an art competition with participants from public to decide a new style for Sonic as the series was transitioning to a 3D game, and Okano-sanös design was the second best choice - the winner was Uekawa-san.

🔵Satoshi Okano-san cleared up the confusion over the artist behind Sonic art for Sonic Jam and Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island. Okano-san is the one who drew these Sonic, not Uekawa-san.

He explains that SEGA back then held a public competition to decide the artist for -

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) April 30, 2019

- new Sonic art for SEGA Saturn Magazine cover and for Sonic Adventure, and Uekawa-san won this contest; Okano-san was the second place.

RTs ⬇⬇⬇

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) April 30, 2019

これは上川祐司さんの仕事じゃなくて私、岡野聡の仕事です。３Ｄのコピーもね。背景の青い３Ｄを作ったのは川村幸子さんです。
This isn't Mr. Yuji Uekawa's work. This work is Satoshi Okano's work. and then,Ms. Sachiko Kawamura was making blue/3D background :) https://t.co/l3dSfNmLbl

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) April 30, 2019

グッジョブです 👍✨ https://t.co/39qnWkL4NN

— 大谷 智哉 Tomoya Ohtani (@Ohtanitter) April 30, 2019

"Good Job!" says Ohtani-san to Okano-san.

これも上川さんじゃなくてぼくなのよね＾＾This is my creation too. It's not Yuji Uekawa-san :) Everyone like him...I Know.I Know ;D　　https://t.co/WUNVbYMpL7

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) April 30, 2019

Thank you very much. I drew this sonic too.'Sonic 3D: Flickies’ Island ' It's a very nostalgic job. I understand you and all. I don't mind. Yes,Uekawa-san is a super cool creator ;D https://t.co/amwReJ9WEo

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) April 30, 2019

There was competition in those days, Sega where a sonic team made "sonic adventure".
The beginning was the argument, "Who did this Sonic of Sega Saturn Magazine draw?" A company invited public participation for new sonic. As for the result, I was the 2nd , and Uekawa-san won :) https://t.co/L3WrVny2yc

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) April 30, 2019

If my memory is correct, I drew it around May 1997. Its the instruction of Kazuyuki Hoshino/Sonicteam's Art Director. https://t.co/iEHkdhZ8fS

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) April 30, 2019

A left illust drew by Uekawa -san,right illust drew by me.Can you understand these difference?The character of SANBA DE AMIGO is drown by two artist😊 pic.twitter.com/FsLux36vIJ

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) April 30, 2019

Otani-san of Sega still uses my illust. SAMBA's characters were designed me & Uekawa-san too.He is a light still now.Then Ｉwas a shadow.But one body. Please understand,I still love sonic teams with Naka-san & Ohshima -san❤️ https://t.co/dvgAyfSFvv

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) April 30, 2019

This is my good comment. "I drew the sonic with a wish to say to want him to be always the provocative image that seems to open up the tip of the Ages". The background made "S" of the initial a mark like a hero. Designer Okano " : ) https://t.co/46FdTjCzwS

— OKN/Satoshi Okano (@okanotion) May 1, 2019

Both of them have unique and easily recognizable styles!
I can see why they chose Uekawa-san's design for the new Sonic, but both styles are cool in their own ways.

Okano-san describes him as the shadow and Uekawa-san as the light - the two worked together and lead to the birth of the iconic style of Modern Sonic. Okano-san appreciates his former co-workers using his art until today, and he still loves Sonic Team!


Okano-san's website
http://www.okanotion.com/about.html

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