Takahashi Talk

1995

1996

It's been a long time since we've had a winter this cold. Sensei, what is your method of beating the cold?
I sleep under the kotatsu!

Volume 12

If you could be king, what country would you want to be king of?
Thank you for reading this for such a long time.

Editor's Note: This issue marked the final chapter of Ranma ½. Instead of answering the question, Takahashi offered her thanks for nine years of readership.

Volume 36

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 22

Takahashi-sensei, how long will the Ranma ½ Memorial continue?
Um, until my new serial starts. If you wait a little longer, I might have some more information about it!

Volume 37

???

Volume 38

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 23 News Report: Ranma Kingdom

Volume 39

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 24 World Wide of Ranma ½

Volume 40

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 25 Ranma's Rivals in Pictures

Volume 41

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 26 Ranma Certification Exam Part 1

Volume 42

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 27 Now that person is who!? And they used to be...

Volume 43

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 28 From R

Volume 44

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 29 Ranma Memorial Tour Hot Springs & Gourmet

Volume 45

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 30 Ranma and Akane, The Locus of Love

Volume 46

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Part 31 - Article on "Battle Renaissance" video game as well as Takahashi commenting on the death of Fujiko F. Fujio... "When I was a child I wished I could fly through the air like Oba-Q, and had a cloak like Pa-Man. When I became an adult I wished I had an Anywhere Door. Fujiko F. Fujio-sensei's works were filled with wonderous and familiar dreams. He was active his entire life, continuing to draw and write, and readers will follow his splendid works for years beyond his death. Sensei's manga were treasures that crossed generations, and were for children, for those of us that were children, and for children yet to be born. Thank you so much.

Shonen Sunday Super 1987 Volume 11

There was an interview with Takahashi published in this issue regarding the newly released "Ranma ½ Battle Renaissanse" Playstation game. In it she states that, "This time I was more involved in the creation of the game's storyline and which characters were used..."

Volume 47

The man in charge showed me the autumn schedule, and I was surprised. There was a bit of a gap.

Volume 48

Contains the announcement that Takahashi's next serial will soon begin in Shonen Sunday volume 50, as well as some sample illustrations. It also states the next Ranma ½ Memorial will be the last.

Volume 49

Ranma ½ Memorial 1987 - 1996 Final Special - Featuring drawings of the new series. Takahashi comments, "Ranma ½ ended nine months ago. It's been a long time, hasn't it, Sunday readers!! "Inuyasha's" protagonists are a boy named Inuyasha and a girl named Kagome who travel together. I hope you'll support these two on their strange trip as much as you did with "Ranma" and "Urusei".

Volume 50

If you woke up and had shrunken down to 1 millimeter tall, what would you do?
I couldn't persevere without a lot of help.

With the first chapter of Inuyasha, Takahashi published the following comment... "Ranma ended nine months ago. I'm very happy for the Sunday reader's understanding. The image I have of the world of Inuyasha is is like Konjaku Monogatari-shuu. It's a story filled with wonder and adventure. Please give Inuyasha as much support as you did for Ranma and Urusei.

Volume 51

This is the time of year in which raw persimmons tastes best. Accordingly, what other things go well with it?
Beer, of course.

Volume 52

How do you percieve the voice of your main character? Is there a celebrity that sounds similiar?
Yeah, but I'm not sure yet.

1997

(This week's question was directed at Gosho Aoyama, the other mangaka spoke about whatever they wanted to.)
I saw some Takarazuka after a long time. It was good.

Volume 2/3

Your protagonist's name is Inuyasha, and that name makes a strong impression. What is the origin of this name?
I wanted something that sounded wild, so I wanted to use "Inu" (dog). I gave it a lot of thought and came up with "Inuyasha"!

Volume 4

What are your memories of '96 and your hopes for '97?
I came across Jiro Asada's "Souyumi no Subaru" and was very moved by it (good memory of '96). I... I don't know what to say (bad memory of '96). To continue to create interesting manga (ambition for '96). To continue working hard on Inuyasha (ambition for '97). Merry Christmas!! (this issue was released on Christmas Eve '96)

Volume 5/6

Congratulations!! Best regards for the coming year.

Volume 7

Happy birthday S-san (editor).

Volume 8

Mikuni-san, Win-chan, thank you!!

Volume 9

Shiina-sensei, congratulations on the birth of your child.

Editor's Note: Takashi Shiina is the mangaka of Ghost Sweeper Mikami.

Volume 10

The Playstation game "PaRappa the Rapper" is interesting.

Volume 11

This time I bought "Crash Bandicoot".

Volumes 12

On TV, I think "Johnny's" is interesting.

Volume 13

I went to a Yoko Morishita lecture.

Editor's Note: Yoko Morishita is a prima ballarina. In 1997 she was named a "Person of Cultural Merit."

Volume 14

Soda-sensei, congratulations on winning the Shogakukan Comics Award.

Editor's Note: Masahito Soda is won the award for Firefighter! Daigo of Fire Company M.

Volume 15

I saw NHK's "Futarikko". It was funny!

Volume 16

I've been very busy... I don't think I'll be able to go out and have fun at all this month.

Volume 17

Even though I was able to last year and the year before last, I don't think I'll be able to watch the cherry blossoms this year.

Volume 18

I got a penguin doll from a crane game!

Volume 19

I love pro-baseball. Go, Hanshin!

Takahashi also had this to say when asked what she uses as a reference when coming up with demons in Inuyasha... "I use various references, but looking at the metamorphisis of animals in various illustrated books is one source."

Volume 20

This month I'm going to go see a lot of plays! Fun!!

Volume 21/22

I've finished writing and drawing my piece for Big Comic Original.

Editor's Note: Takahashi is refering to Oyaji Rotin (Middle-Aged Teen).

Volume 23

I drew a four panel manga for a special edition of Big Comic Spirits that went on sale May 2nd.

Editor's Note: Takahashi is referring to Furyo waru (Delinquent).

Volume 24

I went to see the kabuki play Ennosuke.

Volume 25

Lately I've been very sleepy. It can't be helped.

Volume 26

I'm late but congratulations to Wada (baseball player) of Hanshin.

Editor's Note: Yutaka Wada would later become coach of the Hanshin Tigers. He won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1984 with Japan's baseball team.

Volume 27

I want to see Hanshin on TV! Win!!

Volume 28

I overcooked the stew, it's a little blue...

Volume 29

A cat had kittens in my garden.

Volume 30

It's been awhile since I've seen Takarazuka, it was great!

Volume 31

Right about now I'll be turning a lathe at a hot spring.

Volume 32

I went to the tallest Italian restaurant.

Volume 33

Thanks so much for returning my address book from last year.

Volume 34

Our Hanshin Tigers made it through the first half of the season... good luck in the second half!!

Volume 35

I hope Hanshin's Wada comes back from his injury quickly.

Volume 36/37

I got a really weird alarm clock from Sumitomo Bank. It's funny though.

Takahashi was also specifically asked if she believed in ghosts. She replied, "I don't really believe in them. But I like ghost stories. Do you have dreams like that?

Volume 38

I'm going to watch the night game tomorrow.

Volume 39

I didn't see any movies this summer.

Volume 40

My eyelids are still cramping up.

Volume 41

Megumi Hayashibara gave me a CD. Thank you!

Editor's Note: Hayashibara is female Ranma's voice actress.

Volume 42

This fall I hope to see all the movies I missed that came out this summer.

Volume 43

Saturday night on Nihon Television is a good show called "Nakai no Onsen S"!

Volume 44

Is the man in the Apagard commercial Moroboshi?

Volume 45

Inuyasha tankobon 3 comes out October 18th! Give it a read!

Volume 46

I finally saw "Princess Mononoke".

Volume 47

Nihon Television's Win-chan ended...

Volume 48

The pottery that was made several months ago finally arrived.

Volume 49

The late night TV shows times have changed! It's confusing!

Volume 50

I accidently faxed my storyboards to a lawyer I don't know. Sorry about that.

Thank you for getting me to the first anniversary!! The story has returned to where it began, with the relationship between Kikyo and Inuyasha... various puzzles are becoming clear, and furthermore it's become funny!! I hope you've enjoyed it. Thank you for your letters. Even though I can't respond, I read them all. I'm doing my best to stay energized, but I'll need your continued support.

Volume 51

When will I put out my kotatsu?

Volume 52

Hanshin will win the championship next year!

1998

Is there a place you've become emotionally attached to? Or scenery you've never forgotten?
I remember various colors of the sky.

Volume 2/3

Since the cold days are still here, what do you do to protect yourself from the cold?
I use a footwarmer when I'm at work.

Volume 4

Looking back at 1997, what was the most impressive event of the year?
Japan being part of the World Cup in France.

Volume 5/6

What's your favorite movie?
"Tsubaki Sanjuro" by Akira Kurosawa.

Volume 7

How did you spend your holidays when you were a student?
I played with my friends at my house.

Volume 8

What sort of person is the easiest for you to get along with?
If I don't associate with my favorite kind of people... various things happen.

Volume 9

How do you relax?
Just lay around.

Volume 10

If you had to change into something else, what would it be?
I would be a cat in a rich person's house so I could eat and sleep all day.

Volume 11

Please tell us the person you yearn for, and the reason.
I thought about it for five minutes but couldn't come up with anything... for now.

Volumes 12

How would you explain the concept of love to a space alien?
Perhaps they wouldn't understand Japanese.

Volume 13

Please tell me your weakness.
I have many weaknesses, but I won't tell you!

Volume 14

Please tell us your favorite musical group.
Right now it's SHAZNA...

Takahashi also commented on the passing of Shotaro Ishinomori... "When I was in elementary school the first book I ever bought with my own allowance was "Cyborg 009". I read it many times everyday and when I travelled I would take five volumes with me. I remember when I discovered 009 it was the first manga I was addicted to. He was a towering figure who really influenced me and died too young. I won't say much more other than to offer my deepest condolences. Thank you.

Volume 15

What is your obsession?
I'll stick to hoping for victory for the Hanshin Tigers.

Volume 16

What has made you say, "hey, what tha?" lately?
In the Chochobo game I cured a girl's illness but she turned into a frog.

Volume 17

Please tell me your memories of spring.
Taking a walk at night after watching the cherry blossoms.

Takahashi also made the comment to Shinji Morisue, who won the Shogakukan Manga Award for "Ganba Fly High"... "Congratulations. Not getting exercise is bad, but I heard when you first got serialized you did a handstand, which I would like to see. After this, please do your best.

Volume 18

Please tell us something that excited you recently?
The Nagano Olympics were more exciting than I thought they would be.

Volume 19

Please tell us something that has irritated you recently?
Lately the way of the world has been irritating..

Volume 20

As of now, what's been the most thrilling moment in your life?
Last year when Hanshin moved into second place.

Volume 21/22

Have you ever just barely scraped by?
No, because I have lived systematically.

Volume 23

Please tell us something that you're the best at? What is it?
It's pretty useless, but lately it's been speed eating at work.

Volume 24

What is your nickname?
I used to have one, but not anymore.

Volume 25

Please tell us some scene or experience that you've had?
There was a street on which several bars were located near the house we lived. The street was so narrow and long that it looked like eel's bed. Even now I wonder what was there in the back of it.

Volume 26

When you're sleepy at work, what do you take to stay perk up?
I drink Dekavita C or C.C. Lemon. Both are effective.

Volume 27

Are there times when you think "back then I should have done something differently"?
If I started counting all those endless times, then I wouldn't be able to stop.

Volume 28

Please tell us who you think is the most frightening person in the world?
No comment!

Volume 29

Please tell us your catchphrase.
I don't know.

Volume 30

Either in the past or present, please tell us about something that you collect?
Telephone cards featuring the work of other mangaka that I know.

Volume 31

Please tell us a shocking thing that you've lost?
When I was a child I had a grape-shaped brooch that I dropped into a toilet. It disappeared.

Volume 32

Who is your idol?
In the old days it was the Hanshin baseball player Tabuchi.

Volume 33

Please tell us something that entranced you as a child?
Modeling clay. I used to play with it a lot in elementary school.

Volume 34

What is a b-grade food that only you can appreciate?
A local restaurant's steak and yakisoba combo. It's not very good, but I'll eat it anyway.

Volume 35

If you could be a character from Shonen Sunday, who would you be?
Fujiko-sensei's "Pa-man". When I was a kid I wanted a set of Pa-man goods.

Volume 36/37

Please tell us something bad you did in the past.
Sugita-san, Takanashi-san, thank you for sending the CC Lemon and the video.

Volume 38

What is something you find charming in the opposite sex?
Their arms and shoulder blades.

Volume 39

What did you do for your summer vacation research project?
Observing zinnia, but after awhile, I wound up just observing weeds.

Volume 40

When you feel down, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
Sleep.

Volume 41

When you become a grandfather or grandmother, what would you like to do the most?
I would like to gather my grandchildren and tell them old stories.

Volume 42

If the world only had a week left before it was destroyed, what would you do?
There wouldn't be much I could do, so I guess I would just sleep.

Volume 43

What sort of atumnal food would you like to challenge yourself to try?
Boiled crab.

Volume 44

If you weren't a cartoonist, what other job would you like to try?
This is all I've ever wanted to do.

Volume 45

Please tell us some bitter words that you regret saying?
Women don't usually say such things.

Volume 46

If you wanted to move somewhere, where would you like to move?
I don't want to move anywhere.

Volume 47

Have you ever had a dream that made left a lasting impression on you?
I've had dreams of moving, and also of being a lost child.

Volume 48

What is the number one secret in the world that you would like to know?
Why did the Mayan civilization collapse?

Volume 49

Please tell us you favorite four letter (character) word.
Absurdity, not to mention the feelings it brings out.

Volume 50

Is there something you just can't throw away?
Character items from my own work.

Volume 51

Regardless of if you can or not, what would you like to be able to invent?
Medicine.

Volume 52

Who is your rival and why?
I don't have one.

1999

It's getting closer and closer to 1999. What kind of year do you think it will be?
I can see it now. Coach Nomura will be lifted high in celebration.

She also had this to say, due to this issue marking the 100th chapter of Inuyasha... "Huh!? I've already gotten to chapter 100?" is what I feel like saying. As usual, I thank you all for your support. I appreciate everyone's heart-warming correspondence. Please increase your support even more so I can persevere.

Volume 2/3

I want to create my own manga. Is there any music you would recommend for inspiration?
I worried and pondered this question for 30 minutes, but can think of nothing...

Volume 4

Please tell us what kind of place your home is.
Niigata. The winter sky is heavy and low, and the food is good.

Volume 5/6

If you could rule the world, what rule would you set in place?
I would make the worldwide song "Rokkou Oroshi".

Editor's Note: "Rokkou Oroshi" is the theme song of the Hanshin Tigers.

Volume 7

If someone confessed their love to you and you rejected them, how would you go about doing it?
Wake up!!

Volume 8

If you could become invisible, what would you do?
Work.

Volume 9

Up until now, what is the best praise you've ever recieved?
Your works are funny.

Volume 10

What kind of animal would you like to raise?
A tiger.

Volume 11

If anyone from the past could be your sweetheart, who would you pick?
I can't think of anyone.

Volume 12

Can you do an imitation of someone? Please tell us.
I can't.

Volume 13

If you could make one day a holiday, what would you make?
Hanshin Tigers Day.

Volume 14

Would you like to make a Nostradamus-like prediction?
The Hanshin Tigers will win the championship.

Volume 15

What would you say if you won something?
I wouldn't say anything so as to avoid making enemies.

Volume 16

Have you prayed for something lately?
No.

Editor's Note: This issue also had some prizes selected by the mangaka of Shonen Sunday to be given away. Takahashi selected some Hanshin Tigers merchandise.

Volume 17

What would you do if you farted in front of your lover?
I don't want to hear questions like this!

Volume 18

Is there a Sunday story that has really stuck with you?
An old one, "Gen to Tsuzumi".

Volume 19

What do you think you were in a past life?
A cow fascinated with the color red.

Volume 20

What is one skill that you wish you had?
The ability to play a ukulele.

Volume 21

What is your favorite song to sing at karaoke?
A: Manatsu no Yo no Yume by Yumi Matsutoya.

Editors Note: Takahashi also appeared as a character in this week's issue of Ghost Sweeper Mikami Chapter 369.

Volume 22/23

If you could change your pen name, what would you change it to?
I wouldn't change it, because then I'd lose my good luck.

Volume 24

Have you seen any interesting films advertised lately?
Nomura Sacchi no Odori (The Dance of Sacchi Nomura) on Sky PerfecTV.

Editor's Note: Sacchi got in trouble around this time due to lying about the fact taht she attended Columbia University in the United States. Because of this, she no longer appears on television.

Volume 25

Did you ever have a part-time job?
Yes, I delievered fliers for a department store.

Volume 26

Do you have a favorite English phrase?
I can't speak English. (In English)

Volume 27

Who are some famous people that you like?
Singers.

Volume 28

What is your favorite joke?
Who's asking?

Volume 29

Have you set any bad records?
I've talked on the phone for ten hours before.

Volume 30

What sort of presents have you been given that have surprised you?
Expensive things.

Volume 31

What do you shout at the setting sun?
Rise!

Volume 32

What is your favorite joke?
Nikko Edo Mura

Editor's Note: Nikko Edo Mura is a theme park in Nikko featuring actors dressed up as samurai who give a tour of a traditional ancient Japanese town.

Volume 33

Do you have any models of your characters?
Nope.

Volume 34

If you had a baby boy tomorrow, what would you name him?
I would come up with a name with all my might.

Volume 35

What issue would you talk about if you were invited to speak at a summit?
The hole in the ozone layer.

Volume 36/37

Where would you build a cottage?
Next to my house.

Volume 38

What items do you need when you go swimming?
A snorkel.

Volume 39

What name would you like to have if you were not Japanese?
Rumiko Takahashi (written in English).

Volume 40

If you went to heaven one day, who would you like to meet?
Sou Sou (155 - 220 AD)

Volume 41

How did you feel when you got your first letter from a reader?
I was very happy.

Volume 42

What is your favorite rice dish?
Rice porridge with green tea and salmon from Kajima, Niigata.

Volume 43

If you were a henshin hero, what would you use for your special move?
The ability to fly through the sky.

Volume 44

Do you have any annoying habits?
I don't think so.

Volume 45

If you had a shop, what would you name it?
Hanshin Department Store.

Volume 46

As far as today's youth are concerned please tell us what you think of them.
They should stop wearing those tall sandals! In times of calamity you'd make a slow escape.

Volume 47

What sort of license do you wish you had?
I wish I could effortlessly get a drivers license.

Volume 48

Where do you go to heal?
In my bed.

Volume 49

If you made a theme park, what would the theme be?
Three Kingdoms Park.

Editor's Note: The Three Kingdoms is an era of Chinese history.

Volume 50

Who is a celebrity that had a particularly autumnal image?
Ryu Chishu.

Volume 51

What is a gift you give yourself after work?
Sleep.

Volume 52

What is your favorite potted dish?
Alfonsino with hot pot is delicious.

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