Kishibe Rohan Meets Gucci

Kishibe Rohan Meets Gucci (岸辺露伴 グッチへ行く, Kishibe Rohan Gutchi e Iku, lit. Rohan Kishibe Goes to Gucci), also known as Rohan da Gucci, is a one-shot written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki.

Published in the October 2011 issue of Shueisha's women's fashion magazine SPUR on August 23, 2011, the one-shot was created as part of a collaboration to celebrate the reopening of Gucci Shinjuku, the 90th anniversary of Gucci, and the 30th anniversary of Hirohiko Araki's manga career.[2] The one-shot was also included in the first volume of Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan, and was later reprinted in full-color in JOJOmenon.

The story stars Rohan Kishibe as he makes his way to Florence, Italy to uncover the mystery behind his grandmother's Gucci bag, which mysteriously vanishes any object placed inside it.

Summary

Sometime after his grandmother's death, Rohan heads to Florence, Italy with her keepsake bag in hand. This bag had the stand-like ability to make things of value disappear in a similar manner of Cream or The Hand. All the objects Rohan put in it disappear when the bag is closed. For that reason, Rohan visited the Gucci Factory outside of Florence, hoping to find an explanation. Rohan hires a beautiful interpreter for this task. When they talk to the leather goods artisan in charge, Rohan makes a brief demonstration of the bag's abilities. First with a 50 euro bill (hesitating for a moment to put a 100 euro bill instead) and then a 10 euro bill. Both bills disappeared and the artisan explains that the bag is one of three special bags made by one of Gucci's Geniuses. As Rohan insisted in having the bag fixed, the artisan, asks again if he really wanted to "fix" the bag, since Rohan didn't realize the bag's "True Purpose". Rohan ignores that statement and ask the artisan to fix it anyway. Finally, the bag is fixed and Rohan leaves.

Some time later, the interpreter gets Rohan drunk and steals all his valuables except for the bag, leaving the mangaka wandering alone outside as the rain started falling. However, Rohan finds a new Gucci umbrella on the ground and a car quickly stops to help him. Upon entering a hotel, the receptionist offers the smallest room at 60 euros the night but Rohan had no money, passport or documents. When he was about to leave, a man shows interest in his recently found umbrella offering 60 euros. In that moment, Rohan remembered the 50 and 10 bills the bag vanished and understood the bag's "true purpose". Since he "fixed" the bag he understands that was the last "Equivalent Exchange" provided by the bag and laments that he didn't put the 100 euro bill in it.

Appearances

Characters
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Author's Note

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
TranslationTranscript
I am honored! It was a genuine adventure into the unknown! I found myself having to produce a manga about the famous Gucci brand. Trying to find a way to take on this subject was a real conundrum, but then I thought about Rohan. I actually didn't have him in mind from the start. He really is able to travel in any circumstance for his work, which is really convenient for me. Once I made Rohan the protagonist, the story came together in no time. I tried to have him hold the traditional bag from the brand and wear some of Frida Gianinni's creations while respecting the details to the best of my ability. I'd also like to thank the decisive courage of SPUR magazine.
なんと名誉なことに! まさに道への冒険! ファッションブランド『GUCCI』のバッグを題材にした漫画を描く事態に。どんな話にしたら良いのか?と、不安と悩み考えた時に思いついたのが「露伴」の存在。実は露伴起用は後なのです。彼は色々な条件の場所に取材に行ってくれるから、本当にありがたい。露伴を主人公にしたとたん、あっという間に話ができてしまいました。しかもGUCCIファッションを着せて、なかなかサマになってくれたので、良かったです。伝統的なGUCCIのバッグ、そしてファッションデザインは全てデザイナーのフリーダ・ジャンニーニさんのものを可能なだけ正確に着させました。また、SPUR誌の勇気と決断に感謝いたします。

Gallery

Trivia

  • This one-shot is notably absent from the English and Spanish releases of TSKR Volume 1, despite appearing in other international editions. According to the Spanish publisher, Ivrea, it was removed from the Spanish edition at Shueisha's request.[3]
  • On June 24, 2023, two supposed original paintings for the one-shot went for auction in Italy.[4][5][6] According to the item listing, the paintings were given to the project manager of the exhibit by Araki and were put up for auction by the manager's family after his passing. Ultimately, neither painting was ever sold.[7][8]

References

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