Megatokyo

(Dark Horse, 2000–2007)
™ and © 2003 Fred Gallagher
Originally published by IC Entertainment.

Initially begun as a joke amongst friends, Fred Gallagher’s Megatokyo has since taken off in a big way, redefining the way many people view the web comic community. Featuring an ensemble cast of lovably quirky (and sometimes downright psychotic) characters, Megatokyo is the anime/gamer’s ultimate weekly read. The site’s tagline: “relax, we understand j00…”is, in fact, an idiom from l33t, an online text vernacular.

The story stars Piro and Largo, two American gamers who, after being rejected from the premises of an E3 conference, get into a bit of drunken trouble with the authorities over the terms of their “rejection,” and end up flying to Japan to get away from it all. Along the way the duo has the requisite wacky adventures that are, in actuality, entertaining spoofs on the tired clichés of your Japanese/anime/gamer storyline. Examples include Largo’s conditional admittance into Japan on the basis of his “mad skillz” playing Mortal Combat (he forgot to bring a passport, but manages to beat the customs ninja at the game); a couple encounters with Godzilla (who periodically razes Tokyo); the obligatory special/elite–forces/police squad division that deals with supernatural threats to Japan (such as Godzilla); a Playstation accessory girl who’d like to be something more (see Chobits); a teenaged goth–girl who just might be the genius behind all of Piro and Largo’s problems; and finally, several real–life magical girls who are magical to everyone they touch, but hopelessly out of luck in their own personal lives.

Originally published by Iron Cat Studios, the title has since traveled to by Dark Horse, and is currently being published under DC’s CMX imprint. Aficionados who can’t wait for the next episode and doubters who want a free trial can still follow Piro and Largo’s adventures for free online at www.MegaTokyo.com.

— Shiaw-Ling Lai

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Ashcan #5

January, 2007
Cover Price: $0.00
4 copies available from $0.60

Fred Gallagher