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The Philosopher |
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Our Complete Interview with Arina Tanemura |
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by Jenifer Morgan |
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Arina Tanemura began publishing her first manga series while she was still in high school. Known for her richly detailed drawings and fantastical settings and themes, she is best known in the United States for her works Full Moon and Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne. Both titles have since been adapted for anime, with the former newly available here in the States.
Shojo Beat: When did you realize you wanted to be a manga creator? From that point, how did you pursue that ambition?
Arina Tanemura: I started thinking about becoming a manga-ka when I was in 5th grade. It was in the spring, when I moved to the 11th grade in high school, that I finally decided I wanted to become a professional. I submitted my work and won an award from a magazine called Ribon. That's how I made my debut. |
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SB:
Are there any manga creators whose work you admire stylistically? How would you describe your own drawing style?
AT:
There is no one I aspire to become stylistically. I want to draw pictures no one else can, so the only person I can name [as inspiration] would be myself. As for my own drawing style, I'd like to maintain the elaborate style of shojo manga, and at the same time keep the proportions and balance intact. |
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SB:
Your characters are always fashionably dressed. Where do you get the inspiration for their costumes?
AT:
What's most important to me is making the clothes look lavish and cute when drawn as manga. I also keep movement in mind. I ask myself, are there parts of the clothing that will move gracefully when the body moves? |
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SB:
What is your favorite part about being a manga creator? What is the hardest part?
AT:
I'm just working hard at doing what I love. It is wonderful that a lot of people will get to know you as you're doing something you love. The hardest part is the lack of sleep... |
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SB:
You've used mythical and historical events in your manga. What about these subjects appeals to you, and are there other events or myths you'd like to incorporate in your work?
AT:
If there is no hard evidence about a certain event, I love to imagine it for myself, saying "You could think of it this way," or "It'd be interesting if it were like this." It'd be such a pleasure when readers read my works with flexibility and openmindedness. |
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SB:
Your latest series, Shinshi Doumei Cross, is your first nonmagical shojo title. What made you decide to explore a new genre, and are you enjoying the experience?
AT:
For me, there are no distinct boundaries between what's fantasy and what's not. I didn't need the fantasy elements in order to create the characters in this case, so I just didn't include them. There are no rules in my work. |
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SB:
You often deal with deep, complex emotional issues. How have readers reacted to that aspect of your work?
AT:
They have felt close affinity to it, as well as astonishment. Just as adventurers yearn to reach the far ends of the world, and just as scientists seek to solve the mystery of the universe, it seems I draw manga to reveal the secrets of human emotions. |
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SB:
Do you write your stories before you start drawing, or do you just make up the story as you go along?
AT:
Stories first. In the case of serialization, my style is to create a rough overall storyline to the very end. I fill in episodes as I go along. |
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SB:
Your chapter titles for Full Moon often seem longer and more philosophical than those for other manga series. How did you come up with them?
AT:
The titles either reflect the thoughts of characters or contain a key word from that chapter that I wanted to include. Full Moon required a more philosophical approach, so there were plenty of complexities with the chapter titles. |
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SB:
We're including a Full Moon anime DVD with this issue. Did you take part in producing the TV anime series, and what do you think of the final product?
AT:
Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne (available from CMX) and Full Moon were both turned into anime right after the [manga] serialization started. I participated in the production, designing the clothes and checking the scripts. The anime is based on rough character designs, personalities, and settings I created, but they are produced separately from the manga. So I took the opportunity to enjoy watching the show as an audience member. Also, I consider anime to be the rival of manga, each striving to be better than the other.
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SB:
Do you have any words of advice for American fans who are aspiring manga creators?
AT:
Manga or not, expressing something is so wonderful. Whether it is singing or playing sports, don't give it up. Believe in yourself; you can become what you want to be and be a person that you like. Do your best; be better tomorrow than you are today.
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"The Philosopher —
Our COMPLETE Interview with Arina Tanemura" by Jenifer Morgan is a shojobeat.com exclusive;
a portion appears in the June 2006 issue of Shojo Beat Magazine. |
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Want more articles like this PLUS six of the most addictive shojo manga from Japan delivered to your doorstep every month—before they hit the newsstands? Click here to subscribe now! |
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