Manga Review: Gimmick!, Vol. 1

Gimmick! Vol. 1

By Youzaburou Kanari and Kuroko Yabuguchi
Viz, 224 pp.
Rating: T+ for Older Teen

“SFX isn’t just about recreating reality,” says Shohei Nagase, the main character of Gimmick! “It’s about using gimmicks to do reality one better!”

The same could be said about the series, which boasts cool characters, fast-paced plots, and stylized artwork. Gimmick! really is a fun and exciting diversion, but what’s especially great is the reliance on human ingenuity over strength or swordplay.

Apparently, the Japanese movie industry is full of damsels in distress and dastardly villains, and Shohei Nagase, part-time make-up and special effects genius, keeps getting himself caught up in their shenanigans. Luckily, his “Studio Gimmick!” crew also consists of a stuntman named Kannazuki who handles all the physical stuff, including car chases and fisticuffs. Nagase’s also packing a “Sacred Silver Spatula,” which combined with his fast hands allows him to create almost any illusion. In a matter of minutes or hours, he can make anyone look like somebody else, render himself unrecognizable, and much, much more.

There is something about the characters in Gimmick! that I found extremely likable, especially Nagase, who is both a working-class Joe and a movie dork with particular affection for old monster movies. Artist Kuroko Yabuguchi captures his childlike enthusiasm perfectly with lots of full-page panels. Meanwhile, writer Youzaburou Kanari gives him lots of portentous-sounding lines like, “My gimmicks have the power to alter reality. Your future… is in your hands now.”

Indeed, Nagase is limited only by his imagination, which makes him something altogether different from the standard action hero. Slightly built, he can’t use brute force or agility to get out of scrapes, and although his hands are quick enough to resemble a blur to most observers, Nagase’s brain has to be equally nimble to come up with solutions on the fly.

Finally, Gimmick! is fascinating because it shows the step-by-step process of Nagase’s illusions and how he creates them. Is it all accurate? Who knows, but readers will feel privy to professional secrets, and maybe learn a few things to impress guests at the next movie industry cocktail party they attend. Clearly, the writer loves movies himself, and Gimmick! is peppered with little trivia bits about classic films: Learn how filmmakers used SFX to stage Sonny Corleone’s assassination in The Godfather! The influence of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead on Japanese cinema! How fake wrinkles get applied! All that, plus lots of fast action and occasional female nudity, make the ability to enjoy Gimmick! akin to Nagase’s illusions: truly limitless.

Volume one of Gimmick! will be available on June 10th.