To you, what does it mean to be a hero?
Someone who gives you peace of mind. Someone who, when they arrive, makes you think that everything’s going to be all right. Someone you trust, someone who makes you feel safe. It’s not something that’s fully fleshed out in my mind just yet. It’s something that has multiple sides and is still changing. But I think the sense of making you feel safe, feel secure, is one of the most important things.
What did you learn from your previous serialisations in Shonen Jump that you’ve used in My Hero Academia?
The main thing was not to repeat mistakes I’ve made in the past. That’s somewhat of a negative way of using the lessons I’ve learned, but for example, if I felt off about something, I didn’t do it in My Hero Academia.
What is your weekly routine like?
I spend a lot of time on the storyboards. Sometimes up to six days. Then I spend about a day on the final art. Though it’s not like I use those six days all on the storyboards. It takes me a while before I can get the engine revving and say, “Let’s do this!”
Only one day for the final art?!
Yeah, it’s kind of unbelievable, isn’t it?
How does your editor help you?
At the beginning, I’ll take about what kind of story I want to tell. At that point, he’ll bring up different suggestions, like what to do specifically and what kind of characters to introduce. He’ll help me come up with the framework. I couldn’t create a manga without his help, so he’s indispensable.
(Editor)- I should leave the room so he’ll tell you how he actually feels. (laughs)
No, no, no. That is how I really feel.
Did American comics or superhero movies influence My Hero Academia?
Yes, of course. Spider-Man is a huge influence - the fact that he’s a teenage hero. I’m influenced by a lot of those works.
Have you been watching all of the superhero movies?
Probably not all of them, but most of them.
I’ve heard good things about Dr. Strange.
Oh yeah! When does that come out? I’ll have to see it. I’ll make sure to watch it in theaters.
If you could draw a crossover with any American comic, which one would it be?
It would have to be Spider-Man. If I could.
You have an amazing collection of toys and figurines. Do you have a favourite?
Yes, the Hulk Buster figure. It’s huge and I love it.
Which of the characters in My Hero Academia is most like you and why?
I think it’s the main character, Midoriya. He’s actually pretty negative in his thinking, and that’s a lot like me. I can’t help but put myself into the character from time to time.
Bakugou is a pretty unusual hero-type. Is there anything that inspired creating a character like him as a good guy?
My previous series Omagatoki Zoo had a character that was like a prototype of Bakugou. He was fun to draw and pretty popular among the readers, so I realised I could make this type of character work. I reworked that character a bit for Bakugou. So that would be my inspiration.
Why did you make him a good guy?
I don’t really draw him as a good guy. I draw him as a big jerk, but I add in layers where he’s working really hard in his own way to be a hero. It’s rather complicated, even to me. “Why the heck is this guy a hero? What a jerk!” (laughs)
Were you surprised by his popularity?
Yes! I thought he would be hated at first. So seeing him so popular was a big surprise to me.
Which characters might be getting a bigger role in 2017?
Let’s see… Obviously, Deku will have a big role, but…
Is it the year of Mineta?
(laughs) That would be hilarious, Well, I don’t know if it will make it into 2017, but there’s a character named Shinsou who will have some interesting development.
How does it feel to come to an event like Jump Festa and interact with the fans?
All I did was stand up on the stage, so I’m not sure if it counts as interacting… but seeing that many fans come out made me so happy. Though, being on stage, I wanted to get off and run away as quickly as possible. (laughs)
When you were introduced and walked on through the flashy lights and smoke, did you think, “Now, this is a hero’s entrance!”?
No, not at all. (laughs) I was embarrassed.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
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Originally Posted by Seika
