By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
It’s been proven that you can never have enough of Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! (ダウンタウンのガキの使いやあらへんで!!). That’s why when Reddit user and Gaki fan, PowederGHG, decided to make a web comic website called Zenin-Outo! based on the variety show, he was applauded for his efforts. Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! stars owarai (Japanese comedy) duo Downtown (Hitoshi Matsumoto and Masatoshi Hamada), comedian Hōsei Tsukitei (formerly known as Hōsei Yamasaki), and second owarai duo Cocorico (Endō Shōzō and Tanaka Naoki). The show that’s been broadcasting on Nippon TV since 1989 has segments of physical challenges, cooking, and batsu (punishment) games. Once a year the stars host a New Year’s batsu special.
Zenin-Outo! has garnered praise from even the hardcore Gaki fans in Reddit’s Gaki no Tsukai forum. “I’m already a big fan. Just have fun with it and don’t get burned out on the commitment of it. Thanks for creating such an awesome little comic” posted Majaura.
User dokuromark posted “Oh, this is FABULOUS! Love your style. And I always love poor ol’ Tanaka getting abused. (I have the screen kanji for “TANAKA, THAI KICK” as a bumper sticker on my car.)
Keep up the good work, and have fun!”
Creator PowerGHG has also been praised for his authentic portrayal of the members that make up Gaki. Said artins90 of the fan site’s second published comic, “It’s incredible how that “Uwah” adds so much authenticity to this, as soon as I read it Matsumoto’s voice popped up in my head.”
Zenin was revealed to the Reddit community 14 days ago with this introduction:
“Hey guys! I’ve started a web-comic based on GNT called Zenin-Outo!, with the aim of delivering one strip each week, ideally every Sunday. I’ve long wanted to provide some additional content for the community’s amusement while we wait for newly subbed videos, & this is what I came up with. The format is inspired by Japanese 4koma gag manga, though it reads left to right like western comics. I’ve got a whole bunch more of these in the works, with the subject matter spanning from batsu games, their various food-based programs, Gottsu Ee Kanji, & even imaginary glimpses into their daily lives. I really hope you all enjoy it!
The Tumblr it’s hosted on will also have a secondary function, as a fan-blog. In addition to posting these comics & other assorted drawings of the gang, I will be sharing gifs, screen caps, rare photos, & possibly even GNT-inspired music. So give it a follow! Thanks for your time, everybody.”
Visit Zenin-Outo! by following this link: http://zenin-outo.tumblr.com/
Source(s): Gaki no Tsukai Reddit forum and Reddit user PowderGHG.
