Trained on nineteen, mostly black and white, images by the Japanese master of realistic manga, Ryoichi Ikegami / 池上遼一. This artist is already 80 years old and is still going strong🎈😎👍.

Known problems:

• The model is a bit inflexible. If you have problem with the prompt, try lowering the weight to 0.8

• Men tend to look like young, handsome yakuza, because the guy from Sanctuary dominated the training set.

• Young girls tend to look like Mai, the Psychic Girl, because once again, she is over-represented in the training set.

From ChatGPT:

Ryoichi Ikegami (池上 遼一) – Master of Realistic Manga Art

Overview

Ryoichi Ikegami / 池上遼一 (born in 1944) is a Japanese manga artist, renowned for his hyper-realistic art style and contributions to seinen (adult) manga. Known for his detailed, cinematic drawings and complex storytelling, Ikegami helped define the mature, gritty style of manga that emerged in the late 20th century. His works often explore crime, politics, and human nature, blending drama and action with psychological depth.

1. Early Life & Career

• Born in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, in 1944.

• Started his career as an assistant to Shigeru Mizuki, the legendary creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, specializing in yokai (Japanese spirits) art.

• Developed a distinct realistic drawing style, influenced by Western comics and illustration.

• Gained recognition in the 1970s for his work in seinen manga, aimed at older audiences.

2. Artistic Style & Themes

• Known for his realistic, highly detailed illustrations, with a focus on anatomy, facial expressions, and urban environments.

• Blends action, drama, and psychological tension in his stories.

• Frequently draws gritty, noir-inspired narratives involving the yakuza, political intrigue, and espionage.

• Cinematic paneling and pacing, reminiscent of films, make his stories dynamic and immersive.

3. Notable Works

📚 "Crying Freeman" (1986–1988) – Written by Kazuo Koike, this story follows a skilled assassin who sheds tears after each kill. Known for its mature themes, action, and sensual art, it became a worldwide hit.
📚 "Sanctuary" (1990–1995) – A political thriller, also written by Kazuo Koike, about two friends trying to change Japan—one through the criminal underworld and the other through politics.
📚 "Strain" (1996–1998) – A noir thriller filled with crime, corruption, and betrayal.
📚 "Heat" (1999–2004) – A story of a rising yakuza boss fighting for power in the dangerous streets of Tokyo.
📚 "Begin" (2016–2019) – A collaboration with Buronson, blending political intrigue with crime and action.

4. Influence & Legacy

• Considered a pioneer of realistic manga art, inspiring a generation of manga artists in the seinen genre.

• His works have been adapted into live-action films and anime (e.g., Crying Freeman).

• Known for his lifelong collaborations with top writers like Kazuo Koike (of Lone Wolf and Cub) and Buronson (of Fist of the North Star).

• His international appeal helped introduce mature-themed manga to Western audiences in the 1980s and 1990s.

Final Thoughts

Ryoichi Ikegami’s mastery of realistic illustration and gripping storytelling set a new standard for seinen manga. His works, filled with action, intrigue, and psychological depth, remain classics in the manga world, continuing to captivate readers worldwide.