3-Part Oda Interview (Complete)
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Oh ! Where does it come from ?
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Enjoy.
–--First of all, would you please tell us what made you decide to become a mangaka?
That'd have to be the moment I learned there was such a job. When I was in Kindergarten I really liked the work of Fujio Fujiko but when I learned that all they had to do to make a living was draw pictures I was so jealous. At the time that meant exactly the same thing as 'Not working at all'.
Of course being a mangaka means 'working' is drawing pictures, but what kid thinks drawing a picture means work? 'Working' meant putting on a suit and heading to the office like my dad.
And so that's why I wanted to be one. Ever since that age I loved drawing and the people around me always said I was good at it so I had confidence in my work.
-----So how did you actually progress from there?
I started submitting work from when I was about 15 and actually took home an award when I was 17.
But it was from that point that things got harder. As far as drawings are concerned, well, I had no problems there but a comic isn't just a bunch of pictures. Writing stories was something that used to be really hard for me. Whenever I showed my head editor rough drafts I would get all kinds of weak points pointed out to me and I couldn't move forward.
That was the first Wall of the Professional I hit. At the time I thought people who draw great pictures become mangaka, because every mangaka I knew drew pictures really well. So that's about the time I started to seriously think about that thing called a 'story'.
So from there I continued aiming to be a mangaka and after graduating high school went to a college in Kumamoto but after a year of that I got to thinking, "This really is a waste of time.", so I headed for Tokyo.
Of course I hated studying but more than just that, heading down that path as a college student gave me this sense of impending doom (laughing) Because all college students do is party right? (laughs)
–--Was there anyone in college who had the same goal of becoming a mangaka as you? [Good question!]
Nope, nobody. Actually you know I hid the fact that I drew manga from a lot of friends. I dunno about now but back then writing amateur manga meant being made fun of.
I did NOT want to be called an otaku so I decided that until I became a professional I'd secretly be a closet mangaka. (laughs) If you turn pro and you make a hit, you're just accepted as that so there's no need to do work in secret. So in that way I think it also kind of gave me this strong feeling like, "I wanna be a pro as soon as possible!"
So wanting to go to the scene the action I dropped out of college and my editor introduced me to an opening as an assistant.
–--How was the first time your actually saw a professional at work?
It was 1994 and I became the assistant of Shinobu Kaitani (Liar Game, Somurie) whose Midoriyama Police Gang was running in JUMP at the time, and the thing that shocked me the most was the beauty of the original print. _Since JUMP's pages are made of recycled paper they feel all rough and looks dirty right? But the original molds are remarkably beautiful. 10 times more beautiful than I imagined. I went to a bunch of different works places all around the same time but wherever I went the original prints always blew me away. My own work wasn't even worthy of comparison.
–--Was there anything else about the professionals' jobs that moved you?
After Shinobu Kaitani's work finished its run, I went to work for Masaya Tokuhiro (Jungle King Taa-chan, Vampire) and I admired how he was able to chug along through his work exactly as he planned. He is a real professional. I always try to learn that by observing but guess I'm just not that kind of mangaka. (laughs)
–--What kind of work did you do while under Tokuhiro sensei?
I drew scenery for Taa-chan and his next piece, Mizu no Tomodachi Kappaman. I was only with him for about a year and a half but he really taught me a great deal of things. How to draw the profile of a character, techiques for expression and so on... After quitting as an assistant we don't exchange much more than New Year's Cards [Japanese equivalent of Christmas cards] but he made a huge contribution to my life.
–--On the topic of your life as an assistant, many people mention Nobuhiro Watsuki sensei. After you ended your time at Nobuhiro sensei's, did you go right to work for Watsuki sensei (Rurouni Kenshin, Embalming)?
Yeah pretty much. But I actually wasn't there too long. I think I managed to work full-time every week for only 4 months. After that I wanted to prepare for my own [upcoming] serial work so I worked there every other week.
–--Would you tell us some special memory you have of working at Watsuki sensei's?
Yeah, I uh, I was able to make a lot of great connections from Watsuki sensei's place. Dunno if you can call friends like us Manga Buddies or Manga Rivals but that was the place where we all met. It was an fantastic place to be.
----For a while there was a time when the most popular JUMP mangaka all came from Watsuki's place.
From when we were all assistants we all wanted to cultivate ourselves with this kinda of, 'Let's all become serial authors!' attitude, I was so happy when that became a reality.
----Of all those you considered rivals, who sticks out the most in your mind?
That would have to be Hiroyuki Takei (Shaman King). From way back he just has this fantastic [art] sense. He continues to make feel like, "Woah! That's awesome!", even now. He just makes these drawings and compositions with ease that make me go, "There's no way I could possibly draw that." He also kicks ass at mecha. He's an amazing guy, really.
Part 1 End
Next part will come on the 17th. He'll talk about Romance Dawn and about…..how much more life OP has in it gasp_
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Wow, so when he first began Oda wasn't too great at making stories huh? Well that's definitely changed! Thanks for the translation Greg.
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That was really interesting, thanks a lot Greg.
Can't wait to see the OP talk. -
Part 2 should be interesting! Not to say this part isn't without merit. Oda's story of becoming a mangaka is pretty neat to listen to. We all start somewhere!
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Sort of surprised Oda spent some time with Tokuhiro prior to Watsuki. Looking at some pics Tokuhiro have done, I do see some similarities for how much Oda picked up in his style.
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cheers greg, cant wait for part two of that
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LOL! Closet Mangaka!
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This is great. I really admire Oda and I want to draw comics for a profession…So seeing what he went through to become a mangaka is pretty amazing to me.
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thanks bf and greg
and yeah, oda has no problems with making stories anymore -
Thank you very much Greg!!!
Finally more of Oda… Can't wait for the 2nd part.
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Yaaaay
Thanks Greg :O
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Awesome, thanks. Can't wait to read the rest.
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whos this oda guy, anyway
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Thanks for the translation =] (erm off topic but is that Rika Ishikawa in your avatar greg?)
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oh wow so we'll find out how much life OP has
it'd be funny if he said "Yeah about 2 more weeks" or something XD… wait that wouldn't be funny at all ;_;thanks for the translation. It's always neat to see how these people get their start in life
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@Cyringohn:
whos this oda guy, anyway
He's the author (manga-ka) of One Piece.
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@Aoi:
He's the author (manga-ka) of One Piece.
What I find most interesting is how he relates to Takei-Sensei of Shaman King.
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@Aoi:
He's the author (manga-ka) of One Piece.
oh thxz, didnt know
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Thanks for the translation =] (erm off topic but is that Rika Ishikawa in your avatar greg?)
It's Gori of Garage Sale cross-dressing as his character Gorie.
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It's Gori of Garage Sale cross-dressing as his character Gorie.
Garage Sale Cross-Dressing?…:blink:
Erhm, whatever, glad to hear more about Oda's person.
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Garage Sale Cross-Dressing?…
Popular Japanese comedy duo from Okinawa.
Does it say whichRomance Dawn will be discussed?
Not sure dude! We'll find out I guess.
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That was an interesting interview indeed. ^^ Heheh, Closet Mangaka, eh?
The 17th's is what really is going to worry me, though. XD How much life in it? God, he better make it at least 6 or so more years. Still, this interview was funny. xD Oda sure has gone a long way.
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So, the Shaman King author is Oda's rival? I might have to check the guy out if Oda likes him.
Brawl FC: 3823 8204 8139
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Kind of makes me wish he were actually good
I think it's more of a "we used to work together" kind of relationship
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Yeah, he sounds like he's gushing about him because they started off together or something.
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It's kind of strange. Oda-Sensei and Watsuki-Sensei both speak highly of him (Takei) even though they speak of it in works that were after Shaman King's decline. Makes you wonder if Takei-Sensei's going to jump out and crush us with something in the near future. Not that he's bad, just later Shaman King was pretty bad.
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Makes you wonder if Takei-Sensei's going to jump out and crush us with something in the near future.
Well, he certainly didn't do it with Juki Ningen Jumbor. I doubt he'll be back in Jump for a while.
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Thx, BF/Greg.
I like how Oda admits he was bad at writing up stories at the beginning. Haha.
Good interview so far.
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That was a great read! I love hearing what Oda went through due to me looking up to him. Very inspirational.
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Kinda fun to hear about his carear and relationships with other Manga writers but most of the questions seem kinda bland, couldnt theyve thought of something more intresting to ask him, But then again i just wanna spam him with way to random questions about OPverse, Characters and how certain stuff works.
And i thought Shaman king was pretty damn awesome and definitly see why Oda recognizes his skill, tho i only read up to about that creepy german guy who reanimated his girlfriend.
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It kinda seemed like the interviewer was asking a lil much about Oda working with Watsuki, but other than that, I liked the questions.
As for Shaman King, I never read it because all I heard about it was how awful it is…This interview slightly increased my interest in it (but I'm still probably not going to read it).
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So, the Shaman King author is Oda's rival? I might have to check the guy out if Oda likes him.
Don't! That's what he wants you to do!
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The 17th's is what really is going to worry me, though. XD How much life in it? God, he better make it at least 6 or so more years. Still, this interview was funny. xD Oda sure has gone a long way.
Wouldn't worry about it for a number of reasons.
1. Oda's not going to say: OP will finish in X years.
2. Whenever Oda does give time estimates he's always way the fuck off. Laughably so. Just look at his track record.
-Thought OP would be a 5-year project
-Thought the story was half over around Vol.24
-Somehow expected to have Merry 'die' during 2003, an event which didn't happen until THREE YEARS later.
The man's not to be trusted with prospects. Which is good news for us.
3. Oda has said more and more recently that OP has a lot of life left in it.
I wouldn't have thought the same thing just a few years ago but the combination of him introducing the concept of New World and his positive vibe with respect to length, OP will be around for quite a while.
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It's Gori of Garage Sale cross-dressing as his character Gorie.
Ah alright. Sorta though it was her since she's the only JIdol that would be caught in something like that >_>;;
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Wow, so he was a closet manga-ka growing up? Maybe I can find someone like that after I get out of college. (hoping to be a writer for manga because I can't draw to save my life. Birth defect made my hands terribly weak and my fine motor skills equal almost zero. T_T) The fact that he had trouble with telling a story certainly has changed. One Piece has one of the best storylines I've ever seen. Oda-Sensei Ganbatte! Oda-Sensei wa saiko desu yo! ^_^
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I lol'd out loud at him saying that college was a waste of time. But the whole tale of him having a hard time was pretty cool, especially about him not being able to make a good plot, since he's plots and story-line are pure genius now.
But the Shaman King guy's his rival? Shouldn't he be a rival with someone who's still writing their series?
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Oda has a college degree
He's a doctor in answering stupid ass questions from fans.
Shouldn't he be a rival with someone who's still writing their series?
I was thinking something a bit different: shouldn't he be rivals with someone whose series holds a candle to his?
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At least Oda pulled out of college before wasting too much time in there.
OH BOY THIS DEGREE WILL SURELY HELP ME GET A JOB IN THE MANGA PROFESSION
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Sweet. Thanks Greg.
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I like that he considers Takei his rival. Huge burn to Kishimoto haha.
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I like that he considers Takei his rival. Huge burn to Kishimoto haha.
Haha, yeah I hadn't considered that. Nice one.
The whole rival thing, it's not like he sits there thinking to himself, "Grrr! Damn you Takei! Damn you TO HEEEEELL!!!!", it means more of someone he respects and wants to be more like. Someone who he constantly compares himself to.
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You guys are digging with the Kishi thing
But yeah, I might just check out Shaman King now. If it sucks, I may have to have a talk with Oda.
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Haha, yeah I hadn't considered that. Nice one.
The whole rival thing, it's not like he sits there thinking to himself, "Grrr! Damn you Takei! Damn you TO HEEEEELL!!!!", it means more of someone he respects and wants to be more like. Someone who he constantly compares himself to.
Of course!
Oda-sensei & Takei-sensei were best friends since both of them worked together as Watsuki-sensei's assistances.So,no way Oda-sensei can hate his own buddy.Btw:Thx,Greg-senpai!
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The first few volumes at least are servicable.
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Regarding Takei, it's not like Oda said he was his biggest or only rival. He apparently really likes the guy's artwork, and it stuck in his mind.
I've never seen anything by Takei, but none of the criticisms of Shaman King that I have seen have been art related.
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Thank you, Greg! I can't wait for part 2.. and yes, like everyone has already said, he certianly has no problem with writing a great story anymore. :)
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I think the author of Shaman king has the best art work out there…and he created one of the best villians I think by far in a manga with that German Necromancer which was bad ass!
Though it got repeated spamfully after that...
Nice interview thanks bf and Greg!
