Miki Tori

, also known as Micky Bird or Mickey Bird, is a Japanese manga artist, character designer, essayist, and screenplay writer. His pen name was created by mixing up the pronunciation of the kanji making up his real name. He worked as a writer on WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3.

Tori attended Meiji University, majoring in English literature, though he left his studies before receiving a degree. He was a member of the rakugo research club during his time there, and attended at the same time as owarai, tarento, and senpai Masayuki Watanabe.

He made his professional debut in 1979 after winning an honorable mention for his story at the 12th Shōnen Champion Rookie Manga Awards, after which he became known mainly for his gag manga such as Kuru Kuru Kurin and Tōku e Ikitai, as well as manga featuring science fiction elements. For many years, his manga appeared in the television guide "TV Bros."

Works Manga Komaken Harēshon (1979, Weekly Shōnen Champion, Akita Shoten) released in the tankōbon Shimatta. Shimatta. (1979–1984, , Hakusensha) Bara no Susumu-sama (1980, Weekly Shōnen Champion, Akita Shoten) Runrun Company (1980–1982, Weekly Shōnen Champion, Akita Shoten) Tamanegi Parco (1981–1982, Monthly Shōnen Champion, Akita Shoten) Sukekoma-kun (1982, Young Champion, Akita Shoten) Rare Masters (1982–1994, Kawade Personal Comics, Kawade Shobō Shinsha) Yūsei kara Bishōjo X (1983, Petit Apple Pie, Tokuma Shoten) Kuru Kuru Kurin (1983–1984, Weekly Shōnen Champion, Akita Shoten) made into a Fuji TV drama series starring , Joe Shishido, , and Narimi Arimori Torimikin!! (1983–1984, Jets Comics, Hakusensha) Yoshida-san Kiki Ippatsu (1983–1986, Super Action, Futabasha Tokimeki Brain (1984, Monthly Shōnen Champion, Akita Shoten) released in the tankōbon Uratori Uratori (1984–1986, CBS/Sony Comics, CBS/Sony Shuppan) Poritan (1985, Monthly Comi Comi, Hakusensha) Ai no Sakaagari (1985–1986, Heiban Punch, Magazine House) Damatte Ore no Tsuite Koi (1985–1986, ) A Heebie Jeebie (1986–1987, Monthly Comi Comi, Hakusensha) Sharibari (1987, Super Action, Futabasha) Anywhere But Here (1988–2003, , Tokyo News Tsūshinsha, released in tankōbon by Kawade Shobō Shinsha, published in North America by Fantagraphics Books) Tori no Ichi (1987–1989, Seirindō) Yama no Oto (1988, SF Magazine, Hayakawa Shobō) Terrible Shōnendan (1989, Weekly Shōnen Sunday, Shogakukan) Tori Miki no Kinekomika (1989–1992, Sony Magazines) Tori Miki no Mō Anshin (1989–1993, Seirindō) Kenka no Ichizoku (1990–1993, Tokuma Shoten) Dai-Hon'ya (created by , 1992–1993, ASCII Comics, ASCII Shuppansha) Tori Miki no Jiken no Chiheisen (1993–1997, Chikuma Shobō) Tomason no Wana (1994–1995, Comic'○○, Bungeishunju) SF Taishō (1994–1996, SF Magazine, Hayakawa Shobō) Man'en Gannen no Rugby (created by Yasutaka Tsutsui, 1995, Jitsugyō no Nihonsha) Hitotachi (1995, Manga Share da!!, ) Shakujin Densetsu (1995-current, Comic Bingo, Bungeishunju) Doyō Waide Satsujin Jiken (co-authored with Masami Yuki, 1996–1997, Weekly Shōnen Captain, Tokuma Shoten) "Gyōdai Chōdai" (1998–1999, Bunkasha) Bōchōsuru Jiken (2002, Chikuma Shobō) The Last Book Man (co-authored with Kansei Takita, 2002, Hayakawa Shobō) Excite na Jiken (co-authored with , 2004, Akita Shoten) Reishoku Sōsakan (2008, Weekly Morning, Kodansha) PLINIVS (co-authored with Mari Yamazaki, Shinchōsha)

Sources:

Non-manga books Tori no Me Hito no Me (1989, Chikuma Shobō, essays) Fukikae Eiga Daijiten (co-authored with the , 1995, San-Ichi Shobo) Mangaka no Himitsu: Tori Miki & Ninki Sakka Kyūnin no Honne Talk (1997, Tokuma Shoten) The nine include Go Nagai, Masami Yuki, , , Hideo Azuma, Kotobuki Shiriagari, Hisashi Eguchi, , and Mitsue Aoki Tori Miki no Eiga Fukikae-Ō (2004, )

Anime (1986, Hayakawa Shobō, character designer)

Television Tsuru-chan no Omoikkiri Poko Poko (1986, TV Asahi, regular appearances on the "Itaibanashi" segment derived from Ai no Sakaagari)

Awards 1979: Honorable Mention, Akita Shoten 12th Shōnen Champion Rookie Manga Awards for My Alien 1993: Winner, 1st Ankoku Seiun Awards for 1994: Winner (Comics category), 25th Seiun Awards for Dai-Hon'ya 1995: Winner, 41st Bungeishunjū Manga Awards for Tōku e Ikitai 1998: Winner (Comics category), 29th Seiun Awards for SF Taishō

Sources: