Aligator Pop - Morishige: An Interview With Morishige

Author and artist Morishige is set to hit U.S. bookshelves this July, as I.C. Entertainment releases the first English-language volume of his popular Hanaukyo Maid Team manga series. Thanks to the gang over at I.C. and to Sachiko Uchida, who generously translated my many questions, I recently had the opportunity to interview the popular manga-ka, via e-mail, about his background, his impending North American debut and what makes Hanaukyo different from the other "maid-themed" anime and manga.

MORISHIGE: Ever since I became conscious of what goes around me, I've always wanted to work as a manga artist.

MORISHIGE: I did whatever it took to get my start, actually I did draw a bunch of adult manga.

ALR: Were there any manga that were your personal favorites, as you were growing up?

MORISHIGE: I don't have any particular one as I read so many of them, and I like them all.

ALR: Do you have any past or present creative influences? (Other manga, books, music, movies, TV?)

MORISHIGE: There are so many, but I think Yoshiyuki Tomino, Rintaro, Osamu Dezaki, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and some other big directors definitely have influenced me and my career. With artists from overseas, I like John Carpenter's works [the director of such movies as Halloween, Escape From New York and Big Trouble in Little China], South Park, and Star Trek series, (especially TNG [The Next Generation]).

Hanaukyo Maid Team, described by I.C. Entertainment representative Kei Blue as a comedy, parody and wacky situational romance, follows the adventures of Tarou Hanaukyo, a junior high student who — in deference to his deceased mother's wishes — goes to live with his wealthy (read: eccentric) grandfather. The mansion is far from lonely as his life is complicated by the cadre of maid "specialists" who look after them both.

The stuff of most teen-aged boys' dreams, right? Not quite, in Tarou's case: He is "allergic" to girls.

Cover image from Hanaukyo Maid Team, Vol. 2: Blue Silent Bell, story and art by Morishige.

ALR: What do you think makes Hanaukyo Maid Team different from other manga out there?

MORISHIGE: Maybe it makes it different because of the relationship of the main character and the girls. I tried to put something that [is about] the relationship men and women could have besides the love that [can] occur between them ...

ALR: How did this affect the creative process?

MORISHIGE: It all started from a discussion I was having with my trusted friend and go from there ...

ALR: Has the creative process and/or the intended audience evolved as the work has progressed? (Did you go into its first installments with any specific ideas or creative goals in mind?)

MORISHIGE: Actually as the story goes, now it has become closer to what I originally intended to write.

ALR: On what projects are you currently working?

MORISHIGE: 2 other regular titles.

ALR: Could you tell us about KoiKoi Seven, your other series which is currently running in Akita Shoten's Champion Red anthology? How does this work differ from Hanaukyo Maid Team?

MORISHIGE: Hanaukyo is [about the] everyday thing that happens in [an] unordinary situation. Koi Koi 7 is [about the] unordinary thing that happens in [an] everyday situation.

Since Hanaukyo Maid Team's start in 1999, within the pages of Akita Shoten's Shounen Champion anthology, the manga has had six collected volumes released in Japan — so far — and inspired the Hanaukyo Maid Team anime (12 TV episodes and three OAV episodes) that ran during Anime Complex Night, along with Steel Angel Kurumi 2 in 2001.

It was also featured on the front and back covers of publisher Akita Shoten's 2002 catalog.

Cover image from Hanaukyo Maid Team, Vol. 3: An Unexpected Rival, story and art by Morishige.

ALR: You've received a very positive response to Hanaukyo Maid Team. Has this affected your work? How?

MORISHIGE: I realized that a work can't be completed only with [an] artist's ego, and that process of story making half belongs to fans and readers.

ALR: How do you feel about Hanaukyo Maid Team's anime adaptation? Would you like to see it licensed here?

MORISHIGE: Ever since I was a child, it was my dream to have my work turned into anime, so I was really happy. It has been done quite well, so I would definitely like American people to watch, too.

ALR: Why have you decided to enter the North American manga market?

MORISHIGE: Because don't you think having my title to be enjoyed by people all around the world besides Japan is amazing? That's why.

ALR: I.C. Entertainment has openly acknowledged that they like to license properties in which their readers have demonstrated a strong interest. How do you feel about knowing there is already a fan base here for your work?

MORISHIGE: If it's true. I am soo flattered.

ALR: Are you looking forward to hearing from and maybe interacting with North American fans?

MORISHIGE: I totally look forward to that and would very much like to ask what their impressions are after reading Hanaukyo, and if I get to interact with the North American fans, I would love to do so!

ALR: Are you planning any visits or North American convention appearances?

MORISHIGE: I don't have any plans yet, but [I am] definitely curious and interested.

ALR: Is there any message you'd like to send to your existing (and future) North American fans?

MORISHIGE: As a manga artist, and also as a human being, I am far from being perfect, but I have been trying all I can. So thanks for your support and [I] look forward to seeing all of you someday.

Thanks, again, to Morishige for taking time to answer my questions, to Sachiko Uchida, who was kind enough to both arrange for and translate this interview and to everyone at I.C. Entertainment who made this interview possible.