|
|
Mitsukaza Mihara Speaks!
Written by Craig Johnson
Mitsukaza Mihara made her manga debut was in 1994 with the "Gomu no Iranai Kodomo-tachi"
short story, with which she entered – and won – a manga competition in the magazine Feeling Young.
“The reason I entered my short story into the competition is because I really wanted to get the attention of my mentor Yumi Tada - and I did! In the early days, I was very much inspired by him. I actually became her assistant. While working for her, I was scouted and asked to enter my work in this amateur manga competition and I won! I then submitted my work to Shodensha and my work was accepted. I have been extremely lucky in my career.”
Unsurprisingly, given her work for Tada, she describes her manga influences as “Manga that have historically meant the most to me are those of Yumi Tada, Kazuo Umeza and Junko Mizuno”, but stylistically she says that “I love the spirit of the Gothic Lolita culture. When I first started drawing manga, Gothic Lolita was just taking off and I took notice and wanted to incorporate the trend. I think we have grown together. Actually my first works were not Gothic Lolita - they were actually inspired by Lolita fashion and punk. My message to fans is to please continue to support me. I am so pleasantly surprised and grateful that the American fans "get it" despite all of the cultural differences! The fact that Gothic Lolita is so popular here in the States pleases me very much!”
At the recent Otacon convention, Mihara revealed that “Not only is this my first time in the US, it is my first time ever travelling abroad. I am having the best time. Here at the convention, I could sit and watch these amazing cosplayers all day long. This is something you just don't get to see in Japan!”.
She is perhaps best known in the west for the six-volume anthology series, Doll, from Tokyopop. How did she find working for TOKYOPOP compared to her prior experiences in Japan?
“It's actually easier to work with TOKYOPOP than Japanese companies. Most publishers are not as concerned with quality. It's obvious that TOKYOPOP pays extra attention to keeping the integrity of my work. I am extremely happy.”
With Doll concluding soon, how does she look back on the series?
“It's much easier for me to work on anthologies rather than an epic series. When I come up with an idea, it already has an ending and I want to get to it right away! I would consider doing an epic series though and I am going to attempt it very soon! My favorite Doll story .... the very last chapter in Doll v6 (coming out in the US this October).”
After reading Doll, one can certainly understand why she states that “my biggest influence in the film director, Tim Burton” – although in the US we are yet to see her early work Happy Family: “I would love it if someone would publish Happy Family in the States but no one has made an offer. Actually, I think its because its themes may not work in America. However, future projects include Eoku Hi Me and Shigeshoushi, and hopefully they should appear.”
: :
|
30 August 2010
MangaLife: On Culture
Share 25 August 2010
Words of Truth and Wisdom: I Put A Spell On You
Share 11 August 2010
Words of Truth and Wisdom: Filters
Share 6 August 2010
Maybe You're Not Using It Right :On Japanese Load Words
Share
|
