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

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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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