Naoki Saito
{{short description|Japanese illustrator, manga artist, and YouTuber}}
{{About|the Japanese illustrator|the mathematician|Naoki Saito (mathematician)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Naoki Saito
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = {{nihongo|Naoki Saito|齋藤 直葵}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|11|13}}
| birth_place = Yamagata Prefecture, Japan{{cite news | url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000090.000026069.html | title=「pixiv高校生イラコン2021」に向けて夏期特別講習を8/21（土）に開催！―この夏、もっとイラストが好きになる。 | language=ja | work=Kyoto University of the Arts | via=PR Times | date=July 21, 2021 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813070136/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000090.000026069.html | url-status=live }}
| nationality = Japanese
| native_name = {{lang|ja|さいとうなおき}}
| native_name_lang = ja
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Illustrator
- manga artist
- YouTuber}}
| alma_mater = Tama Art University
| years_active = 2001{{ndash}}present
| website =
| module = {{Infobox YouTube personality|embed=yes
| channels = {{flatlist|
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxuipVSw8ajLZPgSyKmw6Ag Naoki Saito Illust Channel] (terminated)
- [https://www.youtube.com/@saitonaoki2 Naoki Saito Illust Channel 2]}}
| years_active = 2019–present
| genre = {{flatlist|
| subscribers = 611 thousand
| views = 42.07 million views
| network =
| associated_acts =
| silver_button = yes
| stats_update = November 12, 2024
}}}}
{{nihongo|Naoki Saito|さいとうなおき|Saitō Naoki|born November 13, 1982}} is a Japanese illustrator, manga artist, and YouTuber. He is a regular contributing artist for the Duel Masters Trading Card Game, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and Hatsune Miku merchandise. He is also the main illustrator and character designer for the game Dragalia Lost. As a manga artist, he wrote and illustrated Baki Domoe from 2010 to 2014. In addition, Saito runs a YouTube channel offering advice on how to improve artwork and published several books based on its content.
Career
Saito debuted professionally at the age of 19, drawing artwork for the Duel Masters Trading Card Game.{{cite news | url=https://corocoro.jp/275871/ | title=【デュエマ生配信速報】TCG「デュエル・マスターズ」の「王来篇」第1弾情報！有名カードが豪華クリエイターさんによる特別イラストで登場！ | language=ja | work=CoroCoro Comic | date=March 9, 2021 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | url-access=registration | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813073657/https://corocoro.jp/275871/ | url-status=live }} He is a regular contributing illustrator for the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the main illustrator for Dragalia Lost.{{cite news | author=Dairiku Shinsatsujo | url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/256/G025620/20190924058/ | title="ポケカの祭典"「ポケモンカードゲーム チャンピオンズリーグ2020」が開幕。 サイドイベントも盛り上がった東京大会をレポート | language=ja | work=4gamer | date=September 24, 2019 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815083450/https://www.4gamer.net/games/256/G025620/20190924058/ | url-status=live }}{{cite news | first=Satoshi | last=Tokunaga | url=https://creatorzine.jp/article/detail/2198 | title=［マンガ／前編］タイトルのこだわりは？始めたきっかけは？さいとうなおきさんがYouTube論を語る | language=ja | work=CreatorZine | date=July 21, 2021 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | url-access=registration | archive-date=July 20, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720235927/https://creatorzine.jp/article/detail/2198 | url-status=live }} From 2010 to 2014, he wrote and illustrated Baki Domoe, a comedy spin-off of Baki the Grappler.{{cite news | first=Crystalyn | last=Hodgkins | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-12/baki-gaiden-scarface-manga-resumes-after-5-years/.78687 | title=Baki Gaiden – Scarface Manga Resumes After 5 Years | work=Anime News Network | date=September 12, 2014 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=March 18, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318061312/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-12/baki-gaiden-scarface-manga-resumes-after-5-years/.78687 | url-status=live }} Baki Domoe was first launched on the Weekly Shōnen Champion's website, but after it shut down, it was published irregularly in the magazine before being moved to Bessatsu Shōnen Champion.
In 2017, Saito designed a Hatsune Miku figure,{{cite web | url=https://www.taito.co.jp/miku_season/summer | title=初音ミク 四季シリーズフィギュア | language=ja | work=Taito | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=March 17, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317140037/https://www.taito.co.jp/miku_season/summer | url-status=live }} which was also re-released in 2019.{{cite news | url=https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/794511/ | title=夏服姿のミクちゃんが再びプライズ化！「初音ミク フィギュア オリジナル夏服ver.～Renewal～」がタイトーより2019年7月上旬に登場!! | language=ja | work=Dengeki | date=July 3, 2019 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=March 23, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323075257/https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/794511/ | url-status=live }} He provided the illustrations for collaboration merchandise between Monster Hunter Frontier and Hatsune Miku, celebrating the 10th anniversary of both franchises.{{cite news | url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1503468837 | title=『モンスターハンター フロンティア』×『初音ミク』ダブル10周年コラボ商品発売決定！ 「マジカルミライ 2017」ムービックブースにて先行販売 | language=ja | work=Animate Times | date=August 23, 2017 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813070121/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1503468837 | url-status=live }} Saito provided the character design for the manga series Suginami Tōbatsu Kōmuin, which began serialization in Shōnen Jump+ in 2018.{{cite news | url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/267840 | title=区民の平和を守るため公務員が異世界で冒険、春原ロビンソン原作の新連載 | language=ja | work=Natalie | date=February 2, 2018 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813070123/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/267840 | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/280599 | title=突如出現した異世界を公務員が攻略、春原ロビンソン原作の新刊を星野桂も応援 | language=ja | work=Natalie | date=May 2, 2018 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=July 23, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723165724/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/280599 | url-status=live }}
In 2019, Saito became one of the contributing character designers for the mobile app game 47 Heroines.{{cite news | url=https://app.famitsu.com/20190214_1418593/ | title=【配信開始】47人の美少女が悪魔とバトル！新作3DシミュレーションRPG『47 HEROINES（ヒロインズ）』 | language=ja | work=Animate Times | date=February 14, 2019 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=January 28, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128060820/https://app.famitsu.com/20190214_1418593/ | url-status=live }} He released a collaboration illustration between Hatsune and Digimon Adventure to celebrate the latter franchise's 20th anniversary.{{cite news | url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1567412534 | title=初音ミク×『デジモンアドベンチャー』「Butter-Fly～初音ミクVersion～」MV＆フル尺音源解禁 | language=ja | work=Animate Times | date=September 2, 2019 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813070124/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1567412534 | url-status=live }} Later that year, Saito created a YouTube channel, where he provided advice and instructional videos on drawing.{{cite news | first=Yōhei | last=Nakayama | url=https://realsound.jp/book/2021/07/post-811256.html | title=ウケない絵をウケる絵に変える方法は？ 「ポケカ」公認イラストレーターの添削＆アドバイス動画が丁寧すぎる | language=ja | work=Real Sound | date=July 11, 2021 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=July 12, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153821/https://realsound.jp/book/2021/07/post-811256.html | url-status=live }} As of March 2023, he had at least 1.3 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. In October 2019, he provided illustrations for Hatsune Miku mug cups that were sold in Sega arcade machines.{{cite news | url=https://hobby.dengeki.com/event/849692/ | title=初音ミクのマグカップで癒しのひと時を♪ミクと仲間たちがデフォルメデザインでセガプライズに集合！ | language=ja | work=Dengeki | date=October 2, 2019 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813094730/https://hobby.dengeki.com/event/849692/ | url-status=live }}
In 2021, Saito designed a figure featuring N and Zorua from Pokémon Black and White,{{cite magazine | url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202101/22213246.html | title=『ポケモンBW』ミステリアスな表情を浮かべる"N"とかわいく寝そべるゾロアが立体化。ポケモンセンターオンラインにて受注スタート | language=ja | magazine=Famitsu | date=January 22, 2021 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=February 28, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228064637/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202101/22213246.html | url-status=live }} as well as Leon and Charizard from Pokémon Sword and Shield.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202108/05229368.html | title=『ポケモン剣盾』ダンデ＆リザードンがフィギュアになって登場。本日（8月5日）から予約開始。リザードンポーズを決めるダンデと凛々しく吠えるリザードンに注目 | language=ja | magazine=Famitsu | date=August 5, 2021 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813070125/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202108/05229368.html | url-status=live }} In the same year, Saito released his first advice book, Umaku Kaku no Kinshi: Tsurakunai Irasuto Jōtatsu-hō, on March 22, with contents based on his YouTube channel.{{cite news | url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000653.000012505.html | title=絵を描く全ての人に!! 大人気YouTubeチャンネルが待望の書籍化！さいとうなおきの『うまく描くの禁止-ツラくないイラスト上達法-』を3/22に発売 | language=ja | work=Pie International | via=PR Times | date=February 18, 2021 | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=February 18, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218083830/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000653.000012505.html | url-status=live }} This was followed by his second book, Saitō Naoki no Mottainai! Irasuto Tensaku Kōza.{{cite web | url=https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322104000912/ | title=さいとうなおきのもったいない！イラスト添削講座 | language=ja | work=Kadokawa Corporation | accessdate=August 12, 2021 | archive-date=August 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813070125/https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322104000912/ | url-status=live }} In the same year, Saito also announced he would be selling NFT art, with one of his works selling for 13.69 ETH (equivalent to {{JPY|6 million}}).{{cite news | url=https://kai-you.net/article/81749 | title=イラストレーター さいとうなおきのNFTアート作品が約600万円で落札 | language=ja | work=Kai-You | date=October 18, 2021 | accessdate=March 17, 2023}}
In March 2023, Saito's YouTube channel was permanently banned, causing him to migrate to his second YouTube channel, Naoki Saito 2.{{cite news | url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/2303/24/news203.html | title=YouTubeチャンネル登録者数130万人のさいとうなおき、不意の"アカウントBAN"でゼロ人に「絶望に打ちひしがれながら泣きそう」 数百万円の損害も | language=ja | work={{ill|ITmedia|ja|ITmedia}} | date=2023-03-24 | accessdate=2023-06-25}} The reason for the ban is unknown, but Saito has stated the possibility that a fan submission uploaded to his associated Google Drive account may have been considered sexually inappropriate by Google, which in turn banned his entire Google account.
Personal life
Saito attended and graduated from Tama Art University, where he majored in graphic design.{{cite web | url=https://tips.clip-studio.com/en-us/articles/750 | title=Interview on the TABMATE controller with Naoki Saito | work=Clip Studio Paint | date=2018-04-02 | accessdate=2021-10-24 | archive-date=October 25, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160519/https://tips.clip-studio.com/en-us/articles/750 | url-status=live }}
Works
=Manga=
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Magazine !Notes |
| 2010
| {{nihongo|Baki Domoe|バキどもえ}} | Weekly Shōnen Champion | Spin-off of Baki the Grappler |
| 2018
| {{nihongo|Suginami Tōbatsu Kōmuin|スギナミ討伐公務員}} | Character design |
=Other publications=
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Publisher ! ISBN |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| {{nihongo|Umaku Kaku no Kinshi: Tsurakunai Irasuto Jōtatsu-hō|うまく描くの禁止-ツラくないイラスト上達法- |
| Pie International
| {{ISBN|978-4756254191}}
|-
| {{nihongo|Saitō Naoki no Mottainai! Irasuto Tensaku Kōza|さいとうなおきのもったいない!イラスト添削講座 |}} {{small|({{literal translation}} Too Good to Go to Waste! Illustration Correction Course from Naoki Saito)}}
| {{ISBN|978-4046053770}}
|-
|}
References
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Category:Japanese illustrators
Category:Manga artists from Yamagata Prefecture
Category:Japanese male bloggers