Tomoseshunsaku (トモセシュンサク, Tomoseshunsaku), born on September 29, sometimes written as Shunsaku Tomose, is a Japanese illustrator and original artist. He is the illustrator of Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e light novel series.
"Tomoseshunsaku" is his pen name, made from an anagram of his friend's.
Since middle school, Tomose had vaguely dreamed of pursuing a career in art. Specifically, he aspired to become a manga artist for Jump. For this reason, he enrolled in a university with a fine arts department, focusing on disciplines such as oil painting. Just before graduating, he submitted a "spur-of-the-moment" one-shot manga to Monthly Afternoon and won the Shiki Award.
While the editorial team requested him to work on serialized and character-centric manga, things did not go smoothly, prompting Tomose to take a break from manga. Through a certain connection, he got involved in the production of doujin games, where unexpectedly, his art gained popularity. It was at that moment that he thought, "Perhaps there's a path for me to make a living in this direction as well." He started his doujin activities around 2004, initially releasing CG illustration collections on download sales sites rather than participating in events like Comic Market. His works caught the attention of individuals in the adult game industry, leading to requests for original artwork. Two of his works, "Double Sensei Life" (AliceSoft) and "Boku to Gokihime to Umi no Year!!", were released around the same time in 2007, with "Double Sensei Life" being his first job. Initially using a pencil, he later switched to SAI due to complaints from the coloring department, establishing a style of drawing lines with Paint Tool SAI and finishing with Adobe Photoshop. Around this time, he also made his commercial debut as an illustrator in Magi-Cu and later primarily worked in magazines published by ASCII Media Works, such as Dengeki Daioh and "Dengeki Moeoh," as well as "Comic Potpourri Club."
Following "Double Sensei Life," he became increasingly involved in works affiliated with the Akabeisoft2. A turning point was "Akatsuki no Goei" (2008). Given the scenario for the introductory part by the scenario writer Shōgo Kinugasa, Tomose felt a different atmosphere while drawing, describing it as "unlike usual." He found joy in handling the original art for an interesting work at that time. Regarding his art style, he mentioned developing a sense of, "Oh, I guess this is the kind of feeling that works" with this series. In 2011, he co-established game developer studio "Tigresoft" with Shōgo Kinugasa.
Works[]
Tomoseshunsaku's Signature
Akatsuki no Goei — Game — March 27, 2008. (Pair with Shōgo Kinugasa)
Akatsuki no Goei ~Principal-tachi no Kyūjitsu~ — Game — December 25, 2008.
Akatsuki no Goei ~Tsumibukaki Shūmatsuron~ — Game — April 22, 2010.
Koakuma Teeri to Kyūseishu!? series — Light novel — July 23, 2012 - March 31, 2013. (Pair with Shōgo Kinugasa)
REMINISCENCE — Game — May 31, 2013. (Pair with Shōgo Kinugasa)
REMINISCENCE Re:Collect — Game — June 27, 2014.
Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e series — Light novel — May 25, 2015 - current.
