Born: Feb 22
Sign: Pieces
Bloodtype: B
Cyber Idol Mink (2001)
Mugen densetsu Takamagahara (Fairy Tale Legend of TAKAMAGAHARA) (1999)
Dream Saga (1996-1998)
Kaitou Saint Tail (1995)
Yume Kui Annaitan (1994)
Hot typhoon (1994)
16sai no Tiara (Tiara of the 16 year old) (1992)
When I came up with "Saint Tail" what I had in my head was an animated television series that aired a long time ago about a girl who did magic. I think it's name was "Magical Emi" or something like that. (I can't remember.) Apart from that I liked "Lupin III" and "Cat's eye" so there could be some influence from these, too.
There's a really old song I used to listen to called "Pink Cheetah" by Seiko Matsuda. (This was when I was still a student.) I always thought I would like to write a story like that someday. What came of that was "Saint Tail" I never tought I would actually draw it. If you ever have a chance, listen to the song someday. It's a love song about a theif and a detective.
I always listen to CD's while I work, and I get a lot of fan letters about music. SO this time I decided to list the artist and songs I listen to while I worked on saint tail. (As a tribute.) If you're not interested please skip this part.
-The album "Pharmacy" by Noriyuki Makihara. I especially like "Spy" and "Love is a Nuisance." For "Spy," my fans also said, "This song is just right for Saint Tail." I'm happy. the album "Fair Way" by Shoko Inoue. I like "Love is liberty." -Heart Beat Grove" byt Seiko Sato.
I really like the albulm "Life" by Kenji Ozawa, especially "We Live by loving and being loved." My editor is a big fan of Ozawa and, after getting the tape of "Life" from her, so was I. The lyrics are so cute. I also like "Strong Feelings, Strong Love." "Not Knowing How to Love" by Sumitada Asumano. -"Quickly" by Ruriko Kudo, "Emergency Exit" by Keiso Nakanishi, "Lucky Girl" by Komi Hirose, Hiroko Moriguchi, "Arigato" by Soichi Taniguchi, - tfr - access - Arisa Mizuki - Tokyo Performance Doll -etc. Recently, I listen to FM a lot too.
At the time, I planned to end "Saint Tail" with this fourth chapter, but it appears I can continue it for a little longer. It's because of all your support. Thank you. So I hope you will stay friends with Meimi, Seira and Asuka Jr for a little while longer. See you later. 4-15-1995
Thank you for all your letters of support. Since I can't write replies, from here on out, I'd like to answer some of the questions I recieve (at random.) I get a lot of questions but this is the most frequent.
Q: How can I get better at drawing?
A: Sorry, I know this is a cleche, but you have to practice. I still practice myself. But when I was small, at least once a day, I would draw a picture. Everyday without fail. If I remember, I also went to an art class once a week from first grade through ninth grade. I really didn't draw manga there, but I did things like ink painting, and figure drawing. This is really helping me now. I'd like to take this chance to thank Sakurai-sensai who taught me all those years.
The next biggest question is:
Q: What TV shows do you watch?
A: I'll watch just about anything. Oh, but I can't watch shows that are gory. I like sports and also anime. The ones thjat I watch everyday (every week) are: "Zoom in Morning!" "News Japan" "Pro baseball news" (Not young people stuff is it...) "Waratte Iitomo! (You can laugh)" "Smap Ganbarimasho (Let's Go Smap!)" "Daisuki!" "Hammer price" the "Quiz Akahaji Akahaji (Quiz embarressment embarrassment)" that they're going on TV Tokyo (This is interesting, I love it.) "H2" "Slam Dunk" "Ninku"...in other words I don't watch that many dramas. But right now, I'm so busy, that the only time I can watch TV is when I'm eating...
Q: Have you ever had anything rejected?
A: Of course. There was a proto (that's a story idea before it's made into a manga) that I worked on for a whole week, but when I took it to my editor he rejected it. When "The Dream Eating Guide" that I worked on for two weeks was accepted, I was both happy and sad.... (I had to projects going at the same time.)
Q: Which is your favorite baseball team?
A: I don't really have a favorite, but each year, I end up cheering for the underdog. Out of the players I like Furuta of the Yacult Swollows, pitcher Takatsu, pitcher Sasakiof the Yokohoma Bay Stars. Right now, I really like pitcher Yamauchi of the Hiroshima carps. I don't really know the pacific league. Oh, but I like Ishike who went to Daiei. Also, Naito who went to Lotte.
Q: What makes you happiest about being a manga artist. What makes you saddest?
A: I haven't been drawing manga for that long, but I suppose the saddest this is that I'm so busy I don't get much time to sleep, that I can't watch my TV shows, that I can't write replies to all of your letters. The happiest thing is that I get letters of support from all of you.
I suppose it's selfish but those are my honest feelings. I'm sorry I can only answer a few of your questions. Later! August 29, '95.
