(no subject)
By popular(and by popular, I mean if I don't, I'll most likely be neutered) demand, here is the interview. ^^ Enjoy! Oh, and Kyuu o.o Don't forget to share this with peoples!
From Shonen Jump #2, February 2003 THE GAME MASTER
An Interview with Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator
Kazuki Takahashi
Hundreds of characters. Thousands of monsters. The Yu-Gi-Oh! phenomenon all starts with the imagination and colorful, stylish artwork of one person, Kazuki Takahashi. Takahashi first tried to break into the manga business in 1982, but sucess eluded him until Yu-Gi-Oh! debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1996. The creation of the first 'Magic and Wizards' monster, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, began the transformation from game manga to actual card game, giving a totally new dimension to the classic shonen manga themes of friendship and fighting.
What is the secret of Yugi's split identity-his ability to become the King of Games? Says Takahashi: "The 'other self' exists in everyone, i believe. It's the ideal you...but when the expectations of your parents or the world around you start to pressure you into something, and you can no longer endure the weight of that existance, you may lose sight of yourself."
Takahashi didn't lose sight of himself-and Yu-Gi-Oh! is the result.
Part I: CHARACTER BACKGROUND
SHONEN JUMP: What were you like when you were younger (say, in middle school and high school)?
TAKAHASHI: In middle school, i was active in the tennis club and i drew manga as a hobby. Studying was not my favorite thing, and i used to doodle on my text books. I also had part-time jobs at convience stores and coffee shops.
SHONEN JUMP: How old were you when you first started drawing? What sort of things did you draw?
TAKAHASHI: When i was in kindergarden, i used to draw robots from anime shows on TV. They were quite a hit with my friends.
SHONEN JUMP: What would you say are your artistic influences?
TAKAHASHI: I loved Ultraman when i was in elementary school, so i dreamed of becoming a monster designer. Before i had settled down to my current style of drawing, i see-sawed a lot between styles such as comical, realistic and anime, which i'm all influenced by. In the end, i think i mixed up all these styles and gave birth to Yu-Gi-Oh!.
SHONEN JUMP: I have heard that you were drawing manga as early as 1982. Can you tell us about the manga which you drew before you made Yu-Gi-Oh!?
TAKAHASHI: They were manga about things like baseball and pro wrestling. A lot of them had "battle" themes.
SHONEN JUMP: Before you created Yu-Gi-Oh!, you worked at a game company. Can you tell us about this period in your life? What kind of work did you do?
TAKAHASHI: I worked as a designer of panels for slot machines.
SHONEN JUMP: How did you become a full-time professional manga artist and start to draw Yu-Gi-Oh!?
TAKAHASHI: In the beginning, i showed my work to a few publishers while i was working as an assistant to other artists. One of the editors of Weekly Shonen Jump gave me a good evaluation, which gave me the oppourtunity to keep working on my manga, and eventually led to Yu-Gi-Oh!.
SHONEN JUMP: What kind of drawing and coloring materials do you use?
TAKAHASHI: I use "G-pens" for inking. I use paper from general retail stores. For coloring, i use water-color and markers.
Part II: GAMES AND INTERESTS
SHONEN JUMP: Why did you choose an Egyptian theme for Yu-Gi-Oh!?
TAKAHASHI: First, i was planning on making "games" the theme, and i found out that most modern games originated in ancient Egypt. I included elements of Egyptian mythology to enhance the story.
SHONEN JUMP: What parts of the world have you visited?
TAKAHASHI: Before i started drawing Yu-Gi-Oh!, i went to Egypt. Other than that, i have been to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Disney World in Florida.
SHONEN JUMP: "Darkness" and "magic" are recurring themes in Yu-Gi-Oh!. Do you have any personal interest in scary things or the occult?
TAKAHASHI: I am drawn to the unsolved mysteries of some unexplainable phenomena. But i believe that in reality, "fear" is a creation of the human mind.
SHONEN JUMP: Have you seen the movie Hellraiser, with its ancient magical puzzle?
TAKAHASHI: I really like that movie. The part in my manga about puzzles communicating with different worlds may be influenced by it.
SHONEN JUMP: You have said that you're interested in American comics. Are there particular artists or titles that you like? Are you more interestedin the art style, or the story themes such as "justice" and "revene of the underdog" which often appear in superhero stories?
TAKAHASHI: I like Simon Bisley. I thought the Spiderman movie was very good work. Isn't it a pre-requisite for today's heroes to seek justic, but not forget their humanity?
SHONEN JUMP: What are some of the board games or traditional games that you like?
TAKAHASHI: I like Shogi [The Japanese version of Chess],Majong and cards.
SHONEN JUMP: One type of game which does not appear in Yu-Gi-Oh! is online games. Is there a reason for this? Do you think it is important to play games with people face-to-face?
TAKAHASHI: Games should basically be played with a human being facing another human being to play against each other. I think the fun is in trying to read the opponent's expression to make psychological strategies. Personally, i do have an interest in online gaming, but it won't appear in my work. This is because it's only a virtual world displayed on a monitor, and not the real world that the main character will see.
Part III: ALL ABOUT YU-GI-OH!
SHONEN JUMP: When you started Yu-Gi-Oh!, what were your themes for the series?
TAKAHASHI: Friendship. The bond between one human being and another.
SHONEN JUMP: Did you intend for Yu-Gi-Oh! to become focused on cards, or on any one type of game?
TAKAHASHI: I had my mind set one drawing a "battle" manga with games as its main theme, but i had no idea that card games would become the focal element. The card episode was supposed to be a one-shot story, but it got such a great reaction from the readers, so i expanded on the idea.
SHONEN JUMP: Was it difficult to adapt the card game in the manga into a real-world game?
TAKAHASHI: In the manga, the rules need to be simplified for story purposes. I believe that what needs to be expressed in the manga is not the card game, but the characters that play it.
SHONEN JUMP: Has the card game in the manga changed, based on the knowledge that the game now exists in the real world?
TAKAHASHI: I don't think much has changed. What's important is whether the card is suitable for the character or not. The card serves as a representation of the characters personality, thought processes, and strategy.
SHONEN JUMP: Beyond Yugi's name [Japanese for "Games," "Game," or "To Play"], is there any significance to the names of the main characters?
TAKAHASHI: The first syllable of Jonouchi's name comes from yujo [Japanese for "Friendship"]. Kaiba's family name, Seto, is based on the Ancient Egyptian god Set.
SHONEN JUMP: Yugi has a henshin [Japanese for "Transformation"] ability, but the two Yugi's look the same except for expression and personality. Did you ever consider making Yugi's alter-ego look different from Yugi?
TAKAHASHI: I've never thought of doing that. There are two personalities present within Yugi, but he doesnt actually transform.
SHONEN JUMP: Yu-Gi-Oh! has many memorable evil villians. Who are your favorities? What is the most important thing in making villians?
TAKAHASHI: I am fond of Kaiba, and maybe Bandit Keith. It is important when creating villians to include some human traits so they arent portrayed as completely evil. "Evil" is judged by others, and from that persons perspective "evil" may actually be "good."
SHONEN JUMP: Where did you get the idea for Yugi's hair?
TAKAHASHI: First, i wanted to make the hairstyle very original, yet something with a lot of impact. Also, it's said that when a person is born and becomes able to see, the very first thing that a person visually memorizes is the shape of their palm. The design of Yugi's hairstyle is based on a five-fingered hand.
SHONEN JUMP: In one of your artists' comments, you say that you've played tabletop RPGs, which also appear in the "Monster World" storyline in Yu-Gi-Oh!. What is your personal experience with RPGs? Do you prefer to be the player or the Game Master?
TAKAHASHI: I've participated in Dugeons & Dragons as a player. To be honest, I wanted to create my own scenarios and be a dungeon master but i didnt have the time. It might be those desires that now make up my manga.
SHONEN JUMP: The Yu-Gi-Oh! "Duel Disks" which they wear on their arms later in the story are real cool. Are they available in the real world?
TAKAHASHI: They dont exist. Someone please invent them.
SHONEN JUMP: How would you describe Bakura's personality? Because of his extreme split personality, he seems to be one of the most complicated characters...
TAKAHASHI: Bakura is possesed by "the evil one" through the Millennium Ring. The Dark Bakura is looking to collect all the Millennium Items to obtain the power of darkness; he'll even kill people to achieve this goal. He may prove to be Yugi's toughest enemy.
SHONEN JUMP: How would you describe Kaiba's personality? How did he change from a "villian" into a "rival?"
TAKAHASHI: Kaiba has a void in his heart due to the lack of love from his parents. To develop love for himself, to fill the void, he had tried to be victorious, even if it meant hurting others. But meeting Yugi has changed him into a warrior, and given him an oppourtunity to develop as one.
SHONEN JUMP: One of the most impressive things about Yu-Gi-Oh! is the many weird and imaginative monsters. What things do you keep in mind when designing monsters?
TAKAHASHI: I design the monsters to give shape to the characters' souls. I believe that even the heart-the soul, the inner essence-has a form.
SHONEN JUMP: Approximately how many monsters have you designed?
TAKAHASHI: I've never counted them. I design all the monsters that appear in my original manga.
SHONEN JUMP: In closing, do you have a message for American fans?
TAKAHASHI: First, i feel great pride in having many people in the US support this title. Yu-Gi-Oh!'s theme is the bond that one human being has with one another, and i'll be happy if you gain even one friend through cards and games. I will keep trying very hard to not trail behind American comic artists. Thank you very much.
Part 4: Randomly placed questions o.o
SJ: The Yu-Gi-Oh! "Duel Disks" which they wear on their arms later in the story are very cool. Are they available in the real word?
T: They don't exist. Someone please invent them.
SJ: In one of your artists' comments, you say that you've played tabletop RPGs, which also appear in the "Monster World" storyline of Yu-Gi-Oh!. What is your personal experience with RPGs? Do you perfer to be the player or the Game Master?
T: I've participated in Dungeons and Dragons as a palyer. To be honest, I wanted to create my own scenarios and be a dungeon master but I didn't have the time. It might be those desires that now make up my manga.
SJ: Where did you get the idea for Yugi's hair?
T: First, I wanted to make the hairstyle very original, yet somthing with a lot of impact. Also, it's said that when a person is born and become able to see, the very first thing that a person visually memorizes is the shape of their palm. The design of Yugi's hairstyle is based on a five-figered hand.
SJ: One of the most impressive things about Yu-Gi-Oh! is the many wierd and imaginative monsters. What things do you keep in mind when designing monsters?
T: I design the monsters to give shape to the character's souls. I believe that even the heart-the shol, the inner essence- has a form.
Sj: Approximately how many monsters have you designed?
T: I've never couted them. I designed all the monsters that appear in my original manga.
Part 5: Takahashi's Favorite Yu-Gi-Oh! Monsters:
1: Blue-Eyes White Dragon
Even now, there's almost no monster that can beat this one.
2: Dark Magician[Original Japanese Title: "Black Magician"]
Because it's the main character's card, after all.
3: Kuriboh
What's that look in it's eyes supposed to mean? [Arty's note: They look like Pac-Man to me o.o]
4: Red-Eyes Black Dragon
I think it's a cool monster.
5: Panther Warrior
The American comics touch is a plus
6: Buster Blader
When this card was advertised in Japan, the computer graphics used in the commerical were pretty cool.
7: Black Magician Girl
Because there aren't that many female monsters.
8: Exodia the Forbidden One
These cards are actully based on myth.
9: Time Wizard
It's actully more like a magic card than a monster card, but...
10: Gaia the Fierce Knight [ Original Japanese TItle: "Dark Knight Gaia"]
I like it, but it's a pain in the but to draw.
There was no Part 4 or 5 in the original one, but I stole this from a website cause I'm so lazy, and they didn't include some stuff, so I did it. ^_^ *pose* And that's the interview! Yay! Now if only I could do LJ cut so that doesn't flood everyone's Friend's List...
[edit: Thanks Jo!]
[Edit: Oh, by the way... pharoah no baka!!!!! ^_____^]
From Shonen Jump #2, February 2003 THE GAME MASTER
An Interview with Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator
Kazuki Takahashi
Hundreds of characters. Thousands of monsters. The Yu-Gi-Oh! phenomenon all starts with the imagination and colorful, stylish artwork of one person, Kazuki Takahashi. Takahashi first tried to break into the manga business in 1982, but sucess eluded him until Yu-Gi-Oh! debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1996. The creation of the first 'Magic and Wizards' monster, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, began the transformation from game manga to actual card game, giving a totally new dimension to the classic shonen manga themes of friendship and fighting.
What is the secret of Yugi's split identity-his ability to become the King of Games? Says Takahashi: "The 'other self' exists in everyone, i believe. It's the ideal you...but when the expectations of your parents or the world around you start to pressure you into something, and you can no longer endure the weight of that existance, you may lose sight of yourself."
Takahashi didn't lose sight of himself-and Yu-Gi-Oh! is the result.
Part I: CHARACTER BACKGROUND
SHONEN JUMP: What were you like when you were younger (say, in middle school and high school)?
TAKAHASHI: In middle school, i was active in the tennis club and i drew manga as a hobby. Studying was not my favorite thing, and i used to doodle on my text books. I also had part-time jobs at convience stores and coffee shops.
SHONEN JUMP: How old were you when you first started drawing? What sort of things did you draw?
TAKAHASHI: When i was in kindergarden, i used to draw robots from anime shows on TV. They were quite a hit with my friends.
SHONEN JUMP: What would you say are your artistic influences?
TAKAHASHI: I loved Ultraman when i was in elementary school, so i dreamed of becoming a monster designer. Before i had settled down to my current style of drawing, i see-sawed a lot between styles such as comical, realistic and anime, which i'm all influenced by. In the end, i think i mixed up all these styles and gave birth to Yu-Gi-Oh!.
SHONEN JUMP: I have heard that you were drawing manga as early as 1982. Can you tell us about the manga which you drew before you made Yu-Gi-Oh!?
TAKAHASHI: They were manga about things like baseball and pro wrestling. A lot of them had "battle" themes.
SHONEN JUMP: Before you created Yu-Gi-Oh!, you worked at a game company. Can you tell us about this period in your life? What kind of work did you do?
TAKAHASHI: I worked as a designer of panels for slot machines.
SHONEN JUMP: How did you become a full-time professional manga artist and start to draw Yu-Gi-Oh!?
TAKAHASHI: In the beginning, i showed my work to a few publishers while i was working as an assistant to other artists. One of the editors of Weekly Shonen Jump gave me a good evaluation, which gave me the oppourtunity to keep working on my manga, and eventually led to Yu-Gi-Oh!.
SHONEN JUMP: What kind of drawing and coloring materials do you use?
TAKAHASHI: I use "G-pens" for inking. I use paper from general retail stores. For coloring, i use water-color and markers.
Part II: GAMES AND INTERESTS
SHONEN JUMP: Why did you choose an Egyptian theme for Yu-Gi-Oh!?
TAKAHASHI: First, i was planning on making "games" the theme, and i found out that most modern games originated in ancient Egypt. I included elements of Egyptian mythology to enhance the story.
SHONEN JUMP: What parts of the world have you visited?
TAKAHASHI: Before i started drawing Yu-Gi-Oh!, i went to Egypt. Other than that, i have been to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Disney World in Florida.
SHONEN JUMP: "Darkness" and "magic" are recurring themes in Yu-Gi-Oh!. Do you have any personal interest in scary things or the occult?
TAKAHASHI: I am drawn to the unsolved mysteries of some unexplainable phenomena. But i believe that in reality, "fear" is a creation of the human mind.
SHONEN JUMP: Have you seen the movie Hellraiser, with its ancient magical puzzle?
TAKAHASHI: I really like that movie. The part in my manga about puzzles communicating with different worlds may be influenced by it.
SHONEN JUMP: You have said that you're interested in American comics. Are there particular artists or titles that you like? Are you more interestedin the art style, or the story themes such as "justice" and "revene of the underdog" which often appear in superhero stories?
TAKAHASHI: I like Simon Bisley. I thought the Spiderman movie was very good work. Isn't it a pre-requisite for today's heroes to seek justic, but not forget their humanity?
SHONEN JUMP: What are some of the board games or traditional games that you like?
TAKAHASHI: I like Shogi [The Japanese version of Chess],Majong and cards.
SHONEN JUMP: One type of game which does not appear in Yu-Gi-Oh! is online games. Is there a reason for this? Do you think it is important to play games with people face-to-face?
TAKAHASHI: Games should basically be played with a human being facing another human being to play against each other. I think the fun is in trying to read the opponent's expression to make psychological strategies. Personally, i do have an interest in online gaming, but it won't appear in my work. This is because it's only a virtual world displayed on a monitor, and not the real world that the main character will see.
Part III: ALL ABOUT YU-GI-OH!
SHONEN JUMP: When you started Yu-Gi-Oh!, what were your themes for the series?
TAKAHASHI: Friendship. The bond between one human being and another.
SHONEN JUMP: Did you intend for Yu-Gi-Oh! to become focused on cards, or on any one type of game?
TAKAHASHI: I had my mind set one drawing a "battle" manga with games as its main theme, but i had no idea that card games would become the focal element. The card episode was supposed to be a one-shot story, but it got such a great reaction from the readers, so i expanded on the idea.
SHONEN JUMP: Was it difficult to adapt the card game in the manga into a real-world game?
TAKAHASHI: In the manga, the rules need to be simplified for story purposes. I believe that what needs to be expressed in the manga is not the card game, but the characters that play it.
SHONEN JUMP: Has the card game in the manga changed, based on the knowledge that the game now exists in the real world?
TAKAHASHI: I don't think much has changed. What's important is whether the card is suitable for the character or not. The card serves as a representation of the characters personality, thought processes, and strategy.
SHONEN JUMP: Beyond Yugi's name [Japanese for "Games," "Game," or "To Play"], is there any significance to the names of the main characters?
TAKAHASHI: The first syllable of Jonouchi's name comes from yujo [Japanese for "Friendship"]. Kaiba's family name, Seto, is based on the Ancient Egyptian god Set.
SHONEN JUMP: Yugi has a henshin [Japanese for "Transformation"] ability, but the two Yugi's look the same except for expression and personality. Did you ever consider making Yugi's alter-ego look different from Yugi?
TAKAHASHI: I've never thought of doing that. There are two personalities present within Yugi, but he doesnt actually transform.
SHONEN JUMP: Yu-Gi-Oh! has many memorable evil villians. Who are your favorities? What is the most important thing in making villians?
TAKAHASHI: I am fond of Kaiba, and maybe Bandit Keith. It is important when creating villians to include some human traits so they arent portrayed as completely evil. "Evil" is judged by others, and from that persons perspective "evil" may actually be "good."
SHONEN JUMP: Where did you get the idea for Yugi's hair?
TAKAHASHI: First, i wanted to make the hairstyle very original, yet something with a lot of impact. Also, it's said that when a person is born and becomes able to see, the very first thing that a person visually memorizes is the shape of their palm. The design of Yugi's hairstyle is based on a five-fingered hand.
SHONEN JUMP: In one of your artists' comments, you say that you've played tabletop RPGs, which also appear in the "Monster World" storyline in Yu-Gi-Oh!. What is your personal experience with RPGs? Do you prefer to be the player or the Game Master?
TAKAHASHI: I've participated in Dugeons & Dragons as a player. To be honest, I wanted to create my own scenarios and be a dungeon master but i didnt have the time. It might be those desires that now make up my manga.
SHONEN JUMP: The Yu-Gi-Oh! "Duel Disks" which they wear on their arms later in the story are real cool. Are they available in the real world?
TAKAHASHI: They dont exist. Someone please invent them.
SHONEN JUMP: How would you describe Bakura's personality? Because of his extreme split personality, he seems to be one of the most complicated characters...
TAKAHASHI: Bakura is possesed by "the evil one" through the Millennium Ring. The Dark Bakura is looking to collect all the Millennium Items to obtain the power of darkness; he'll even kill people to achieve this goal. He may prove to be Yugi's toughest enemy.
SHONEN JUMP: How would you describe Kaiba's personality? How did he change from a "villian" into a "rival?"
TAKAHASHI: Kaiba has a void in his heart due to the lack of love from his parents. To develop love for himself, to fill the void, he had tried to be victorious, even if it meant hurting others. But meeting Yugi has changed him into a warrior, and given him an oppourtunity to develop as one.
SHONEN JUMP: One of the most impressive things about Yu-Gi-Oh! is the many weird and imaginative monsters. What things do you keep in mind when designing monsters?
TAKAHASHI: I design the monsters to give shape to the characters' souls. I believe that even the heart-the soul, the inner essence-has a form.
SHONEN JUMP: Approximately how many monsters have you designed?
TAKAHASHI: I've never counted them. I design all the monsters that appear in my original manga.
SHONEN JUMP: In closing, do you have a message for American fans?
TAKAHASHI: First, i feel great pride in having many people in the US support this title. Yu-Gi-Oh!'s theme is the bond that one human being has with one another, and i'll be happy if you gain even one friend through cards and games. I will keep trying very hard to not trail behind American comic artists. Thank you very much.
Part 4: Randomly placed questions o.o
SJ: The Yu-Gi-Oh! "Duel Disks" which they wear on their arms later in the story are very cool. Are they available in the real word?
T: They don't exist. Someone please invent them.
SJ: In one of your artists' comments, you say that you've played tabletop RPGs, which also appear in the "Monster World" storyline of Yu-Gi-Oh!. What is your personal experience with RPGs? Do you perfer to be the player or the Game Master?
T: I've participated in Dungeons and Dragons as a palyer. To be honest, I wanted to create my own scenarios and be a dungeon master but I didn't have the time. It might be those desires that now make up my manga.
SJ: Where did you get the idea for Yugi's hair?
T: First, I wanted to make the hairstyle very original, yet somthing with a lot of impact. Also, it's said that when a person is born and become able to see, the very first thing that a person visually memorizes is the shape of their palm. The design of Yugi's hairstyle is based on a five-figered hand.
SJ: One of the most impressive things about Yu-Gi-Oh! is the many wierd and imaginative monsters. What things do you keep in mind when designing monsters?
T: I design the monsters to give shape to the character's souls. I believe that even the heart-the shol, the inner essence- has a form.
Sj: Approximately how many monsters have you designed?
T: I've never couted them. I designed all the monsters that appear in my original manga.
Part 5: Takahashi's Favorite Yu-Gi-Oh! Monsters:
1: Blue-Eyes White Dragon
Even now, there's almost no monster that can beat this one.
2: Dark Magician[Original Japanese Title: "Black Magician"]
Because it's the main character's card, after all.
3: Kuriboh
What's that look in it's eyes supposed to mean? [Arty's note: They look like Pac-Man to me o.o]
4: Red-Eyes Black Dragon
I think it's a cool monster.
5: Panther Warrior
The American comics touch is a plus
6: Buster Blader
When this card was advertised in Japan, the computer graphics used in the commerical were pretty cool.
7: Black Magician Girl
Because there aren't that many female monsters.
8: Exodia the Forbidden One
These cards are actully based on myth.
9: Time Wizard
It's actully more like a magic card than a monster card, but...
10: Gaia the Fierce Knight [ Original Japanese TItle: "Dark Knight Gaia"]
I like it, but it's a pain in the but to draw.
There was no Part 4 or 5 in the original one, but I stole this from a website cause I'm so lazy, and they didn't include some stuff, so I did it. ^_^ *pose* And that's the interview! Yay! Now if only I could do LJ cut so that doesn't flood everyone's Friend's List...
[edit: Thanks Jo!]
[Edit: Oh, by the way... pharoah no baka!!!!! ^_____^]