Ken “Dene” Yoshii From Tokyo, Japan My first encounter with anime/manga was Mobile Suit Gundam and Galaxy Express 999, which I ritually watched every morning before leaving for kindergarten! It wasn’t long before I came across Urusei Yatsura, where I first fell in love with Lum, not to mention Hokuto no Ken, Dragon Ball, and Lupin the Third. My first manga memories began with Kinnikuman, but my prized collection suddenly vanished after being told to study by my mother when I was ten! (sob!) Returning to Japan after graduating from university in the U.S., I worked for several years here in Tokyo within the media industry, and was involved in many broadcasts and productions. During that time, I had a strong inclination towards reading samurai-themed manga such as Vagabond and Hyogemono, as well as revisiting old favorites like Akira, City Hunter, and the classics by Osamu Tezuka. Today, I’m excited to join the SMAC! editorial team and look forward to further integrate my experience in media, as well as sate my insatiable appetite for entertainment! Favorite manga: Akira, Hana no Keiji, The Laughing Salesman, Golgo 13. Favorite anime: Paprika, Spirited Away, Lupin the Third Favorite film directors: Kusturica, Jodorowski, Almodóvar, Kore-eda, Kurosawa Favorite musician: Hiromi Uehara, Soil and Pimp Sessions Favorite manga quote: “I shall fulfill the gap in your mind… and of course, I shall receive no payment at all” – The Laughing Salesman