I Want to Meet You 120%
"Songs That Gets the Economy Going and Keeps My Pen Moving..." - Rumiko Takahashi

Translated by: Harley Acres

Rumiko Takahashi, a popular manga artist who's work Maison Ikkoku appeared on the cassette labels in this issue, is a music lover who says, "I can't work without music!" What kind of tunes are playing as she creates popular characters such as Lum-chan, Ataru-kun, and Kyoko Otonashi?

I love the "Urusei" music label...

Rumiko Takahashi, the author of the popular manga Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, who is also known for this magazine's various cassette labels, has recently moved. Her new home is twice as spacious as the one she lived in before, and she also plans to build an audio room in her new place. So, like a "Wednesday Special," our reporting team set out from the editorial department to explore the secret, veiled sonic life of a popular manga artist.

The new home she was aiming for was on the edge of a dense (concrete) jungle. When the reporting team gingerly pressed the bell chime...Takahashi-san greeted us with a smile. Shaking off the emotional feeling of "I wonder if Lum-chan, Mendo-kun, Godai-kun, and Kyoko Otonashi were born in this room...," I immediately began asking questions about Takahashi's aural life.

When did you get involved with music?

Takahashi: I took piano lessons from first to fourth grade in elementary school, but I had no talent at all. I was well behind the other students by one whole textbook. It seems like I had a hard time memorizing things, but I rarely got frustrated. The teacher was screaming though (laughs). Then, in my fourth year, I broke my arm, so I took that as an opportunity and decided to quit.

So how was your score in music?

Takahashi: Even though I thought I could do well, I wasn't very good at it, and most of the time I got a 3. ^[1]

Did you listen to much classical music?

Takahashi: Yes, I really liked classical music when I was growing up. My parents collected classical records, and that's how I started enjoying it. They used to play classical music on FM stations in the morning, and I used to listen to it a lot, but now... I no longer have a connection between the composer and the song, it's just that I remember the melody.

So, what kind of music do you like now?

Takahashi: Nothing in particular I suppose, but as long as it's up tempo, it's fine. In the past year or so, I've been listening to a lot of songs from Snakeman Show, YMO, Taeko Onuki, and Spectrum. ^[2]

Do you and your assistants have similar tastes in music?

Takahashi: One's a big fan of RC Succession. The other day she brought something interesting called "Number One Band" (Katsuya Kobayashi's record). The other one likes Western things like Queen. If anything, I think Japanese music is better. It gives me a sense of security. ^[3]

Do you play music when you're working on ideas for manga?

Takahashi: Well, when I have to really focus on something, I like listening to Kitaro. His music makes me feel at ease. ^[4]

By the way, how many records do you have now?

Takahashi: About 30 to 40. Most of them are impulse purchases.

And cassettes?

Takahashi: I have about 50 to 60 tapes. I play them while I'm at work, but it takes a lot of time and effort to play records, so I put them on tape and play them. I also use the "Recopal" cassette label (laughs). ^[5]

I'm also planning to buy a laser disc!!

Come to think of it, the tempo and lighthearted jokes of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku are truly musical. I'm sure there are many people in the music community who enjoy imagining music in the background of a story. After all, Takahashi-san's work room is filled with songs that say, "The economy is good, and my pen keeps moving" all day long.

Please tell us what system you are currently using.

Takahashi: The player is a Pioneer PL3, the cassette deck is a Nakamichi BX-1, and the receiver is a Trio KR360. Three or four years ago, a friend who is knowledgeable about audio picked this out for me. I listen to this with four speakers. The only deck I play all day long is the one I replace once a year because it gets worn out easily.

By the way, I heard that you are planning to create an audio room...

Takahashi: Yes, I have one in my workroom for now, and I'm hoping to have one here (in the parlor) as well."

What're you planning to have as your set up?

Takahashi: I think just whatever sounds good (laughs). I'll consult with various friends before making a decision. I also want to put in a monitor TV, and I wanted to get the laser disc Legacy for the Future (未来への遺産), which I would like to see and have that set up put in the room. ^[5]

The interview took place in the parlor, which was to become an audio room. In closing, Takahashi-san said, "What bothers me is that there is no music here. I think it would be brighter if there was even a little music playing," she mused. In this room, Lum-chan dances to the music and here is where Kyoko-san was born.

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Footnotes

• [1] Subjects such as art, physical education and music are considered "sub-subjects" that are not part of the primary curriculum in schools. For subjects such as this students are sometimes graded on a five point scale. Generally, courses like this are more about making an effort and trying.
• [2] Snakeman Show (スネークマンショ) started out called "Snakeman Jones" a Japanese take on the American DJ "Wolfman Jack". The duo behind Snakemake Show was Moichi Kuwahara (桑原茂一) and Katsuya Kobayashi (小林克也) there radio skits often showcased them discussing taboo topics including drugs, homosexuality, and telling dirty jokes on the air. Thir popularity skyrocketed when they worked with Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), one of the most popular pop acts in Japan. Taeko Onuki (大貫妙子) is a city pop artist. Later in her career she worked with Yellow Magic Orchestra's Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本龍一) on an album. Spectrum (スペクトラム) was a Japanese jazz/fusion band that lasted from 1979 to 1981.
• [3] RC Succession (RCサクセション) was a Japanese rock band that was active from 1968-1991. Katsuya Kobayashi is part of the aforementioned Snakeman Show. Queen was an English rock band famously fronted by Freddie Mercury.
• [4] Kitaro (喜多郎) is a New Age musician who has won Grammys and a Golden Globe. Additionally he worked on the soundtrack for the Queen Millenia film and Michael Mann's 1986 film Manhunter.
• [5] Legacy for the Future (未来への遺産/Mirai e no isan) is Japan's first television documentary mini-series. It ran from 1974 to 1975 for a total of 17 episodes.

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