By 
Guest, Personality
Guest: Shiohigari
Illustrator/Manga Artist
Born in 1989 and currently living in Tokyo. Her illustrations of girls with humorous and romantic dialogue, drawn in a light touch, are her trademark. She calls herself a “cheap artist.” During her student days, she began posting illustrations on Twitter and live streaming on Ustream. After graduation, she joined a material manufacturer, but she decided to quit her job and become a full-time “cheap artist” when her illustrations and short comics that she drew during work became popular and she received more requests.
Personality: Yuuki Sakoda
After working for a telecommunications company and a comprehensive advertising agency, he started an anime planning and production company and produces music videos and films. In 2021, he moved to Kyoto and started working on promoting the entertainment industry in Kyoto. He is currently also working in the entertainment field of manga and audio. He is planning and producing audio dramas and webtoons. In addition, he serves as a producer and advisor for multiple entertainment companies.
Table of Contents
#01
- What is a “Cheap Artist”?
- The Era of Interesting Job Titles and How the Name Was Born
- The Desire for Expression Born During University Days Enjoying USTREAM
- Collaborative Creativity on the Internet in the 2010s
- “LOVER SOUL” as the Ending Theme of Shiohigari’s Life
- Always Aiming for Episode-Worthy Conversations
- Weaving Creativity During University and as a Working Professional at a Materials Manufacturer
- Rational and Efficient Career Choices
- The Twitter Series That Began Around the Fifth Year of Working Life
#02
- Always Dreaming of Living Solely as a Creator
- Riding the Wave of Twitter-Based Creators Gaining Popularity
- Believing Luck is Necessary for Success
- Changing Pachinko Machines
- About Shiohi Girls
- How to Behave Creatively in the Era of Social Media
- How Does Creativity Appear to Shiohigari, Who Values Efficiency and Rationality?
- Adopting the Survival Strategy of the Weak
- Realizing That What Seemed Ordinary Wasn’t Actually Ordinary
- Ultimately Wanting to Converse Only Through Metaphors
#03
- About High-Context Creativity
- Drawing Inspiration from Machi Tawara’s Words
- Always Aiming for the Right Balance in the Era?
- What is the Right Balance in Mitsuru Adachi’s Works?
- Is There No Anxiety in Not Detailing Everything?
- Showing Vulnerability to the Grim Reaper
- The Webtoon Project Currently Being Worked On
- Are Shiohigari’s Works Similar to Waka Poetry?
What is a “cheap artist”?
Sakoda
Nice to meet you. Well, then, I would like to start the conversation by reading a brief profile of Shiohigari-san.
Born in 1989, currently living in Tokyo. Shiohigari-san’s illustrations feature humorous and romantic lines spoken by a girl with a light touch. She self-proclaims herself as a “cheap artist.” In this recording, we will delve into the creator’s past to understand how they have come to be where they are today. Although it would be tempting to jump into the past at this point, I would like to first clarify what this “cheap artist” entails before moving forward.
Shiohigari
Ahahaha, yes yes (laughs).
Sakoda
This name itself is a clear expression of “left-handedness”, I think it’s an easy-to-understand word. I often think about creativity, and what do you think?
Shiohigari
Well, let’s see. So, I think I probably started that activity around the same time as Twitter, but maybe in 2011 or 2012? Anyway, I started using Twitter at that time, and at first, I didn’t really draw many illustrations or anything like that. I wasn’t the type who had been drawing illustrations since childhood. But then, on Twitter, I started doing some funny posts and stuff, and that’s when I started drawing illustrations, and I started to gain a bit of popularity. So, I felt a little embarrassed to call myself an “illustrator” or “manga artist.” As an identity, I didn’t want to present myself as someone who was fully dedicated to drawing illustrations or manga. I felt it was a bit disrespectful to those who were, and I had mixed feelings about it.
So, in that case, I let myself be called a “Cheap Artist” as a sort of original title, because, well, these cheap-looking artworks have a certain cheapness to them. Recently, I feel a bit embarrassed about it, so I don’t really mention it much anymore, the “Cheap Artist” thing. Now I just call myself an “illustrator” or “manga artist” straightforwardly. It’s easier to understand.
Sakoda
It seems that after going around in circles for a week, I’ve started to feel embarrassed about being a “cheap artist”.
Shiohigari
It’s kind of late now, but there aren’t many people with original job titles, right? Like “Hypermedia Creator” for example.
Sakoda
Ah, yes, there was indeed a time of hypermedia creators, wasn’t there?
Shiohigari
Yeah, that’s right. So, that’s probably how it was in that era.
Sakoda
Ah, I see. Is it around the mid-2010s?
Shiohigari
I think it might be a little earlier. Maybe around 2010 or so, probably. And at that time, I thought it would be interesting to have an original title, you know.
Sakoda
When you are exposed to the media, you often get the mindset of wanting to develop a new original title, don’t you?
Shiohigari
Since it’s a case of “whoever says it first wins” (laughs). So yeah, in that sense, there’s still some embarrassment and hesitation about whether I can really call myself an illustrator or a manga artist even now. But well, since I’m getting work, there’s also the feeling that it might be difficult to ask someone with the mysterious title of “cheap artist” for work, so in emails I make sure to say, “I am Shiohigari an illustrator and manga artist,” recently.
Sakoda
Ah, I see. Regarding titles, it may not be limited to Japan, but there seems to be a strong nuance in Japan that the person’s inherent characteristics, something they were born with, are associated with the title “house”. Well, it also exists overseas with names, but there might be this sense of fate that comes from where and who you were born as, and somehow that determines your life. There is probably a certain level of respect and grandeur associated with identifying oneself as a “mangaka”.
Shiohigari
Yes, I agree. It’s true.
Sakoda
Ah, I see. The mystery of the “Cheap Artist” has been solved.
Shiohigari
Well, yeah. I don’t exactly have no attachment to it anymore, you know. So, well, when I’m asked like this, I tend to answer in that sort of casual way.
USTREAM was born out of my desire for creative expression during my college years.
Sakoda
In around 2011, it started to be shared on Twitter. At that time, initially, it was mainly about posting text without any images or anything like that. I was wondering, during that period, what was the situation like within the Twitter community?
Shiohigari
Well, in 2010, I was a college student at that time. I was in my third or fourth year because I graduated in 2011. So, back then, I wasn’t really doing anything special, just a typical college student. However, on the other hand, I had this strong desire to be friends with people who were doing interesting things during that time. Like musicians on Twitter, for example. There was a live streaming service called USTREAM back then, although it’s no longer around now.
Sakoda
No, I understand. I was also watching USTREAM the whole time.
Shiohigari
Oh, is that true?
Sakoda
Yes, I was watching as a viewer.
Shiohigari
Well, there are people who stream on platforms like USTREAM, and those people are called USTREAM streamers. They do things like game commentary, singing, playing the guitar, and various other activities. I became friends with some of these streamers through Twitter and such platforms.
And in that environment, I also felt the desire to express myself in a similar way. So, I started appearing on my friends’ streams and doing my own streams. At the same time, I started tweeting things like funny tweets on Twitter.
Sakoda
Somehow, just around that time, as I mentioned earlier, I remember it very well too. It was March 11, 2011, when the earthquake occurred. At that time, I was in Tokyo, and not many people were using Twitter that much. But at that moment, people like Horiemon started tweeting information about the earthquake all at once. As a result, it seemed like the number of Twitter users increased dramatically to catch those tweets.
Shiohigari
Ah, indeed. I see, there’s also the fact that it increased with that. That’s right.
Sakoda
Yes, I observed that and thought it was amazing. So, I think you, Shiohari-san, also felt that way before and after, right? You know, there was this kind of excitement that was only within a small circle on Twitter, right? At that time, I vividly remember how it suddenly went from that lively atmosphere within the small circle to becoming something that reached the mainstream and had a strong influence. It was a really memorable moment. There were a lot of people doing really interesting things back then. There are still many now, but there were so many people on Twitter and YouTube doing interesting things.
Shiohigari
Well, yeah, that’s right. I mean, I really wrote those kinds of illustrations or comics that would make everyone in that introverted class laugh, and I started posting them on Twitter, like in a free notebook. And when I started posting those things, they spread more than I thought. Well, that’s why I think I was able to ride the wave of the times. Especially on SNS, well, Twitter, you know. I think being able to ride the wave of Twitter’s rapid expansion and popularity was kind of a catalyst for that.
Sakoda
I would like to explore the aspect of connecting with people who are doing interesting things. At that time, what were the phenomena or people that were considered interesting by others, like yourself, Mr./Ms. Shiogari?
Shiohigari
Well, um, yeah, it’s people who create something, right? Like, um, manga and stuff. Well, back then, Nico Nico Douga was really popular. Yeah, so it was a time when gaming commentary was really booming, and there were people doing that kind of thing, you know, and also people making music or creating videos.
So, um, yeah, as a regular fourth-year university student, I’m in the humanities department. That’s why, um, I was in the light music club at that time. So, I did have some acquaintances who were like band members, but, um, I didn’t really have the opportunity to meet people who were more into drawing, you know. Basically, um, I always felt a sense of admiration and found it interesting to see people who were doing those kinds of things.
Sakoda
Yeah. Well, in that kind of situation, I guess I was also playing along with the NicoNico Douga movement, and there were quite a few people who did live performances like that too. The live streams I often watched from Youto were drawing sessions.
Shiohigari
Ah, drawing livestream, huh? Yeah, I watched it too.
Sakoda
There is a certain admiration I have for people who engage in such creative activities. I think there are certain forms of creativity, such as anime and manga, that have a certain sense of volume and clearly defined outcomes. However, in that space, I also believe there are things that are a little more vague but still have the potential to be considered creative, it’s just that they haven’t been given a clear definition. For example, when watching game commentary videos on Nico Nico Douga, I notice that there is a relationship between the person playing the game, the commentator, and the game itself, and that relationship creates a new form of creativity through the way it is presented. Nico Nico Douga itself becomes a creative platform through the barrage of comments. It’s not exactly a comprehensive art, but it’s similar in that sense.
Shiohigari
Ah, indeed. It is an interesting culture, isn’t it?
Sakoda
Yes, I really think it’s important and amazing to create movies that are meant to be watched in theaters. I believe that it’s an incredible accomplishment in itself. However, when I experienced the internet, I felt that it offered something unique – the ability to create and capture fleeting moments together. I found that aspect to be really interesting and specific to the internet. And that essence is something I still sense in the creativity of artists like yourself, even now.
Shiohigari
Oh, that might be true. It’s not like I’m really a cheap artist, but well, I guess it’s fine even if it’s a bit sloppy, you know? Somehow, there might be that kind of DNA in me.
Sakoda
Also, I’d like to ask in detail about the second half, but I think it’s a very internet-like behavior to capture that atmosphere and express it in a few words.
Um, within that context, I think it would be nice to pause here and play a song before moving on to the second half. Do you have any recommended songs you’d like to listen to, as suggested by Shiogari-san?
Shiohigari
Yes, it is “Lover Soul” by JUDY AND MARY.
「LOVER SOUL」”LOVER SOUL” is the ending theme of Shiohigari-san’s life.
Sakoda
Yes. The song you mentioned is “LOVER SOUL” by JUDY AND MARY. It’s also one of my favorite bands and songs. Do you have any anecdotes or stories related to this song, Shiohigari-san?
Shiohigari
Well, this song is quite an important song for me, mainly when I’ve been rejected. It’s not like a song I listen to when I want to or feel like it after being rejected, but rather it’s more like an ending theme. It’s the kind of song I listen to while on my way home, on the train, or something like that.
Sakoda
Is this song lyrically speaking, I also used to listen to it a lot because I like Judy Garland, but I didn’t pay much attention to the lyrics. I wonder if it’s a song with lyrics that you listen to when you get dumped, what do you think?
Shiohigari
No, well, this song is, well, you could say it’s interpreted as a song about sexual activity. Well, rather than that, it’s more like a feeling of being together with you, you know, not exactly a lovey-dovey feeling. Well, I think it’s a fairly passionate song though.
Sakoda
Yes, that’s right. I also had a bit of an impression that it had a relaxed tempo and a somewhat lovey-dovey feeling.
Shiohigari
That’s the kind of song it is, you know. I’m not sure why, but for some reason, I’ve always felt that this song should be the ending in my mind. It’s the ending, you know. So, I think I’d like this song to be played even at my own funeral.
Sakoda
That’s interesting, isn’t it? Well, actually, I had simulated it in my mind while I was asking about that episode (the song I want to play at the funeral) in advance. I thought that this song would be played at Shiohigari-san’s funeral and it might fit quite well when it is played during the burial.
しおひがり
Yeah, that’s right, that’s right. So, I want to have a break before that chorus, and then say “It’s time for the funeral” there, and as everyone starts walking, the chorus starts playing. I think this is the coolest production. Well, it’s like it might make you really cry.
No, well, if I had to choose, I’d say it’s kind of interesting, I guess (laughs). Well, in that sense, it’s like the ending theme of my life. That’s why it’s such an important moment, so when I talk about it as an episode, it’s easier for me to package it with the ending. Well, in the end, isn’t it more advantageous to be rejected or something and then consume it as an episode talk later? So, why, well, at times like that, listening to “LOVER SOUL” in the car and ending it like that, it feels like it becomes a complete package, you know?
Sakoda
Hmm, I see. Well, what I found distinctive while listening was when Shiohigari-san said, “It would be a waste if we don’t digest it as an episode talk, right?” The fact that they are always exploring episode talks really shows that they are a true “cheap artist,” as I thought. Episode talk is incredibly effective in expressing a person’s personality, isn’t it? It’s like a vivid scene comes to life.
When someone says something like “Born in a certain year, graduated from a certain school, and works in a certain department doing certain tasks,” it doesn’t really bring out anything about that person.
Shiohigari
It don’t understand anything, doesn’t it?
Sakoda
I don’t understand anything. However, when someone talks about a memory like when they were on their way home from elementary school, and their house was really far away, but they really had to pee, so they ended up peeing on the side of the road, it kind of brings up a certain scent or something, you know?
Shiohigari
It has an unpleasant smell, but it’s funny.
That’s right. Hearing specific episodes, whether it’s during job hunting or self-promotion, like the things I put the most effort into during my student days, it’s basically about storytelling. Well, I guess that’s how they assess someone’s character.
Sakoda
In the case of Shiogari-san, within this episode talk, there is a bit of irony or rather, social satire, but it’s not really attacking. It’s just that there are elements like that, and you know, it’s kind of a clever invention to digest various things that exist as common sense in the world from a slightly different angle, making it feel like an episode talk. That’s what I thought.
In the 4-year university life, I will continue to weave creativity during my time as a material manufacturer and working professional.
Sakoda
While I would like to dig into the topic of current creativity, I would like to take a moment to go back to my student days. I think there are quite a few people who are currently attending a four-year university and are interested in pursuing creativity. However, they may not have taken the first step in that direction. Nevertheless, they have a longing for creativity and I believe there are many who are wondering how they can knock on that door.
Shiohigari
Ah, that might be true.
Sakoda
I think Shiohigari-san may be following that route.
Shiohigari
Yes, I agree. I think that is exactly right.
Sakoda
Oh, right. Since my self-introduction was interrupted, I would like to continue from where I left off. So, in Shiogari-san’s self-introduction, during my student days, I started posting illustrations on Twitter and doing live streams on Ustream. Well, this is what I talked about last time. After graduating, I got a job at a materials manufacturer, but while slacking off at work, the illustrations and short comics I drew started to go viral, and I began receiving more requests. So, I made up my mind and quit my job, deciding to become a full-time freelance artist. That’s the plan.
Shiohigari
Well, basically, I chose my job based on the treatment and all. I mainly focused on applying to material manufacturers and the energy industry. Well, why? Because, of course, the salary is not bad and it’s relatively not too busy, you know, it has those characteristics.
So, basically, when everyone starts job hunting, well, most people go to well-known companies like food manufacturers or electronics manufacturers. Of course, I also sent entry sheets to companies that I know, but my main aim was more towards niche companies that are not well-known but have a huge market share, or companies that are the only ones in Japan that produce something, like those tiny parts found on small tires of cars, where they almost have 100% market share. There are some amazing companies like that.
In such companies, well, basically, they are not that busy. It depends on the person, of course, but they are not extremely busy and they seem to have a relaxed atmosphere. So, I was job hunting for companies like that. And by chance, I was lucky enough to get into one of those material manufacturers, and well, in reality, I wasn’t that busy. However, I just didn’t have any interest in doing sales for that material manufacturer. So, I ended up constantly thinking about how to slack off efficiently. And since it was sales, I would say that I’m going to visit a client and then just go to a café and draw pictures as a way to pass the time, and I kept doing that.
Sakoda
At that time, you were already left-handed, right?
Shiohigari
Well, yeah. So, at the time when I started that Twitter, I was kind of into drawing, you know. I’ve been doing that for about five years, drawing here and there.
Sakoda
Oh, it’s quite long, isn’t it?
Shiohigari
Well, let’s see. So around the fifth year, I had a discussion about serializing my work on Twitter. At that time, I wasn’t really making a living as a writer yet, but I thought it might be a good opportunity. So I decided to give it a try for a while using my savings and unemployment insurance. If it didn’t work out, I would start thinking about finding a job again. I think I was around 27 years old at that time. So I did it for about three years, with the mindset that if it didn’t work out by the time I turned 30, I would quit. And so, I took the plunge and quit my job.
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