At VIZ we have a "style sheet" for each title, and now we’re adopting the term for this weekly series about style at our office! We are a diverse group, but we have one thing in common: we love manga, anime and Japanese pop culture. Luckily, we don't have a strict dress code. So set aside your expectations of "work safe" looks and enjoy this sneak peek into the style, clothes and lives of VIZ employees…

Come back each Wednesday to see new looks to complement your own unique style! And you can see all our Style Sheet posts here.

Swimming With the Sharks

The Tie Means Business

For the Gods of Metal

Blue in the Afternoon

So I Don't Forget

NAME: Mike Montesa
DEPARTMENT: Editorial
POSITION AT VIZ: Editor

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? The San Francisco Bay Area, specifically, El Cerrito.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK FOR YOU? Get in early, get a ton of work done before everyone else shows up, spend the rest of the day clearing my in-box (electronic and physical) as stuff comes in. I keep a lot of plates spinning and spend a lot of time on that, but reading scripts and proofing is my most enjoyable task.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FASHION STYLE? Lack thereof? I dunno, fading echoes of the 80's and 90's grunge? If I had more money I'd maybe be a clothes horse though—I love a good suit. But most days it's jeans, t-shirt, something on top. Comfortable but not radical (anymore). I do have a thing for metal band t-shirts and combat boots.

HOW IS YOUR STYLE INFLUENCED BY MANGA, ANIME OR JAPANESE FASHION? Aaah, you shoulda asked me this question in 1988. I was going for a sort of bosozoku punk look then (very unsuccessfully, I’m sure) with a big influence from Megazone 23, if anyone remembers that one.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE CLOTHING STORES AND FASHION WEBSITES? Nothing interesting. I go to department stores and get stuff online from Land’s End. Yawn.

WHAT FASHION ACCESSORY CAN YOU ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NOT LIVE WITHOUT? My watch. People don't seem to wear wristwatches anymore—they look at their phone. Lame. A mature gentleman of style and taste should wear a watch.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK AS A CREATIVE OUTLET AND FOR FUN? I like playing analog games (not video games)—board games, roleplaying games and miniatures games. I build and paint a lot of toy soldiers and build plastic model kits. It helps me relax, like meditating. I am learning to play the guitar too—metal of course!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE CURRENT VIZ MANGA OR ANIME? All stuff I work on, naturally! Blue Exorcist, Gundam Thunderbolt, Ultraman and Magi are my favorite manga (that are currently running series).

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE VIZ MANGA OR ANIME OF ALL TIME? Of all time? Not easy to answer. I would say Black Lagoon, Slam Dunk and Monster, if I can choose more than one.