The Maker Speaks
■ Now let me ask about only the 1st episode of "Sobotei Kowasubeshi." It is free to read on the web and the manga is not finished yet.
"Sobotei Kowasubeshi" Vol.1
F: When will this interview go open? ...Next January? I'm sure the story won't be finished yet. (This interview was recorded in 2016 autumn)
■ I believe the 1st episode of manga must explain about its main character and story. In the case of "Sobotei Kowasubeshi," however, they are seldom found. Is it all right?
F: I know. It starts with the president's terrible memory of Sobotei. And appear many characters like Takoha a young painter, Rokuro who's moved to Sobotei and went cracked, a nameless boy who fights with a monster inside a mysterious airplane, and Kurenai a Japanese girl.
■ It is considered that it is not a story but almost enumeration of cases. Many of the readers must have been confused.
F: All the characters are going to Sobotei the building, aren't they? I tried to describe what the Sobotei's with the characters in the 1st episode. I should have showed what the solid building that has eaten mortals and has made a lot of enemies is, before the following stories go.
I have to make it speedy as stated above, however also must show the readers what its characters and the stage are rightly. Like my favorite horror novels, the story should include pushes and pulls. I decided to impress the Sobotei structure first.
■ In the 1st episode at least, is the Sobotei the main role?
(C) Fujita Kazuhiro / Shogakukan
from "Sobotei Kowasubeshi" Episode 1
F: Reading just the 1st episode had you feel Tahoha like the main role? Sure, he is not a hero because not wise, not strong and not special. Then, he gets confused, like the readers, at a series of unusual cases. I believe he is the closest to the readers.
(C) Fujita Kazuhiro / Shogakukan
from "Sobotei Kowasubeshi" Episode 1
■ It means Takoha also plays the part of the readers. Then, it is alright there are some who read the episode 1 and got confused, isn't it?
F: Maybe the 1st episode's like a preview which shows the characters related to the "Sobotei" bit by bit.
I didn't want you to get confused and stop reading. So I needed to show not just usual persons like Takoha however also a monster and something thrilling.
■ Like the air raid by ASDF?
F: That is what I want and desire to illustrate. Now, the 1st episode was made after a lot of perplexity because I didn't get the readers' responses at the time. The editor in charge and I made a series of meetings for the beginning. OK said he and the most actual readers, which made me feel easy.
■ I believe the 1st episode of manga must explain about its main character and story. In the case of "Sobotei Kowasubeshi," however, they are seldom found. Is it all right?
F: I know. It starts with the president's terrible memory of Sobotei. And appear many characters like Takoha a young painter, Rokuro who's moved to Sobotei and went cracked, a nameless boy who fights with a monster inside a mysterious airplane, and Kurenai a Japanese girl.
■ It is considered that it is not a story but almost enumeration of cases. Many of the readers must have been confused.
(C) Fujita Kazuhiro / Shogakukan from "Sobotei Kowasubeshi" Episode 1 |
I have to make it speedy as stated above, however also must show the readers what its characters and the stage are rightly. Like my favorite horror novels, the story should include pushes and pulls. I decided to impress the Sobotei structure first.
■ In the 1st episode at least, is the Sobotei the main role?
(C) Fujita Kazuhiro / Shogakukan
from "Sobotei Kowasubeshi" Episode 1
F: Reading just the 1st episode had you feel Tahoha like the main role? Sure, he is not a hero because not wise, not strong and not special. Then, he gets confused, like the readers, at a series of unusual cases. I believe he is the closest to the readers.
(C) Fujita Kazuhiro / Shogakukan
from "Sobotei Kowasubeshi" Episode 1
■ It means Takoha also plays the part of the readers. Then, it is alright there are some who read the episode 1 and got confused, isn't it?
F: Maybe the 1st episode's like a preview which shows the characters related to the "Sobotei" bit by bit.
I didn't want you to get confused and stop reading. So I needed to show not just usual persons like Takoha however also a monster and something thrilling.
■ Like the air raid by ASDF?
F: That is what I want and desire to illustrate. Now, the 1st episode was made after a lot of perplexity because I didn't get the readers' responses at the time. The editor in charge and I made a series of meetings for the beginning. OK said he and the most actual readers, which made me feel easy.
