Whatever happened to “Girugamesh Guy?”

girugamesh_guy

“Girugamesh!”

It’s the most quoted line in an oft-quoted commercial. Directed by one voice actor (Vic Mignogna) and starring others, this promotional video for Sakura-con that took on a life of its own. Today, it’s hard to find an anime fan who doesn’t respond to the phrase “I love sushi” with an automatic, “I love Japan, period!”

Like it or lump it, this low-budget commercial has become a cult classic with fans. And at the epicenter, there’s the actor who says “Girugamesh.” His black lipstick, contrasted with his sheer enthusiasm, has had a significant impact on fan culture.

In the past few weeks, as I mentioned in my Anime Herald podcast appearance, I have made it my mission to meet and interview Girugamesh Guy. I think it’s worth stating that I am totally earnest about this. While I realize the commercial got its fair share of critique as well as praise, I’m not looking to pass judgement, but simply to revisit this moment in anime culture. Once you become Girugamesh Guy, what happens to your life after that?

The search began with some promising leads. I found some apparent clips from Girugamesh Guy’s film reel. As you can see by this scene at the beach and this scene at a party, this black-lipsticked actor has become pretty typecast as the jerk that gets his deadly due. From there, I found two possible identities, complete with names and emails. I found a Facebook page that belongs to a man who looks suspiciously like Girugamesh Guy. I contacted all these people (and Vic Mignogna, and the Sakura-con staff), but it’s been over a week and I haven’t received a single reply. At least to me, Girugamesh Guy remains an enigma.

I wrote this blog post as a eulogy to this and all the other articles I’ve attempted and failed to report. There are so many threads of curiosity I’ve attempted to explore. Some get scrapped early when I don’t have any sources. Others get spiked by my editors, when there isn’t enough evidence to ensure I’ve found the truth, not just a rumor. For every story that gets told, there’s another just waiting in the wings for anything to give it legs.

If you see this, Girugamesh Guy, please contact me. I’m still hoping.

14 Comments.

  • Sadly Leonard Nimoy has passed or we could have him host a special “In Search Of….” for this guy.

    • @VinceA:disqus I am pretty certain I know who he is. Obviously didn’t post his name here because he has not confirmed. The problem is getting him to respond to me X_X

      • Lol it’s doubtful you know who he is. He told me he has kept quiet about it. But it’d be interesting to see who you think looks like him so he can get a good laugh

        • Also the guy in the footage you noted isn’t even remotely close to what he looks like, and he is 5ft9. Not tall lol

  • Lol he is my best friend. I just found this meme through tumblr and I’m like omg you’re a meme and you didn’t tell me. Any way, he is friends with Vic and he told him to do the accent and to be emo. He is far from anything weeaboo. But yeah he was 18 then.

  • Catherine Brewer
    June 10, 2016 6:52 am

    I BELIEVE I found the Girugamesh guy on instagram, tumblr, snapchat, and twitter. The other day he sent me semi-nudes, and I am an actual person who can say “A meme sent me his dick”

    • Clayton Pherigo
      November 1, 2016 10:48 pm

      girl u messaged him for nudes so you could say that.

      • Catherine Brewer
        November 2, 2016 2:59 pm

        I did NOT ask for them they just showed up.
        Although my friend did gip him for it. so now we have a full dick-pic.
        It is hilarious

        • Clayton Pherigo
          November 2, 2016 3:04 pm

          …i really don’t get the hilarity of swindling nudes from a real person. i’d also delete the name of the person in your other comment, i’m sure other people are curious and they’re being led to his page and annoying him, as you and… your friend were. who cares where girugamesh is now.

          • Catherine Brewer
            November 3, 2016 10:49 am

            You make good points.
            I actually kinda feel bad about the pic now.. we should get rid of those.
            Also I haven’t spread his social medias around though so he is pretty safe from the internet (he’s a rather hard meme to find)
            It’s more or less a secret we keep to ourselves cause not many people really care.

  • wait so who is he damnit?! :/

  • Kawaii as Fuck
    February 15, 2018 9:32 pm

    Galoogamesh!

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I’m Lauren, a freelance writer with a focus on anime fandom. I’ve written for Anime News Network, The Washington Post, Forbes, and others.

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