Gamikichi is forging an epic journey through the world of “Retro Games”, delving deep into the memories, atmosphere, and excitement of the generation. His pieces are born by drawing out the intense imagery of the retro world and breathing life into them.
Born in 1979 in Tokyo, Japan, he began playing with handheld LSI and LCD games from a young age, and when a Famicom (NES) was introduced into his home, he was drawn into the world of gaming. Around the same time, through use of his older brother’s PC (PC-6001mk2) he was introduced to the programming language [BASIC] and began studying how games moved and worked.
Moving forward, the source of his creative imagination was established through his experiences while growing up with systems like the Game Boy, Super Nintendo (SNES), TurboGrafx-16, and Playstation.
During his adolescence he also experienced what would be considered the “world of realistic game expression” made possible by new and more beautiful graphics technology. However, he continued to feel a love for the “world of game expression separated from reality” created by pixel art and low poly. As time passed, the world he held so dear came to be referred to as “Retro Games”.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Japanese government requested that citizens quarantine themselves and refrain from going out. During this time, he had a chance to return to the beauty of Retro Games and reconnect with his adolescent memories of the Retro Game world, both of which he had nearly forgotten. From then, he began the process of realizing the images he had grasped as a “Retro Game Artist”.
The world view that he builds is creative and overflowing with ideas. He posts content related to his pieces on Instagram daily, and since beginning 3 months ago, has earned over 1,000 followers.
“How can I connect the nostalgia of Retro Games to the current generation; How can I revive the memories of the viewer and bring them joy?”
For as long as his curiosity and spirit of inquiry remains, his journey will continue.
日本語
gamikichiは「レトロゲーム」とその当時の空気や興奮などの「記憶」の世界を辿る旅を続けている。彼の作品は、その世界から見つけた強烈なイメージを現実に引き出すことによって生まれる。
1979年東京にて生を受けた彼は、幼少期からLSI・LCDゲームで遊び、ファミリーコンピューターの登場により、ゲームの世界に入り浸るようになった。また当時、彼の兄が持っていたマイコン（PC-6001mk2）でプログラミング言語「BASIC」にも触れ、ゲームが動く仕組みについて学んだ。
その後、ゲームボーイ・スーパーファミコン・PCエンジン・プレイステーションなど、ゲームに触れ続ける環境から彼のイマジネーションの原点が作られた。
青年期は新しく美しいグラフィックが生み出す「現実に近いゲーム表現の世界」も経験したが、ドット絵やローポリゴンが生み出す「現実と乖離したゲーム表現の世界」を愛し続けた。
時間の経過につれて、彼が愛したその世界は「レトロゲーム」と呼ばれるようになっていた。
2020年新型コロナウイルス大流行のため日本で行われた外出自粛期間中に、忘れかけていた「レトロゲームが持つ美しさ」と「幼少期の記憶の世界」に回帰するチャンスを得た。そして、そこで掴んだイメージを現実世界に表現する「レトロゲームアーティスト」としての活動を開始する。
彼が作り出す世界観は独創的でアイデアに溢れている。
instagramに毎日作品投稿を続け、活動開始から３か月間で1000人以上のフォロワーを獲得する。
「レトロゲームが持つ懐かしさを現代にどう融合させるか・見る人の記憶をどう蘇らせ、楽しませることができるか」
好奇心と探究心がある限り彼の旅は続く。