Rumiko Takahashi (author of Ranma1/2 and Inuyasha)

[Chibi Jen]

Here's an interview with Rumiko Takahashi and about Ranma1/2 and Inuyasha ^_^ I found it quite interesting....

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Rumiko Takahashi sits down and talks with the actors who are bringing her characters to life. Kappei Yamaguchi (Inuyasha) and Noriko Hidaka (Kikyo) had both worked with Ms. Takahashi previously on as the main couple on her previous series, Ranma ½. Satsuki Yukino (Kagome) is working on her first Takahashi project.

Takahashi: Thank you so much for the opening party for the animation last week!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Thank YOU! We had a lot of fun.

Yukino (Kagome): My ears are still ringing from Kappei-san(Inuyasha) singing "Change the World" (laughs)!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Did that really happen?

Hidaka (Kikyou): It sure did (laughs)! There were too many people around last week for a good chat, let's take some time to really talk today.

Takahashi: Episode 3 will go on the air at seven, so we should finish up by then. I set my VCR to record it just in case, though.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Let's start with Takahashi-sensei. Just among ourselves, now. You watched the first two episodes on TV. I'd like you to feel free to be completely honest and tell us what you thought of our performances.

Takahashi: Everything was so well done, including your acting, which I was totally blown away by. Episode 1 was very special. I came to the studio recording and watched the whole process come together. When it was done, I was so impressed with the results that I said, "It's just too good to be true!" Kappei-san's Inuyasha was the best, of course.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Such direct praise from you makes me feel a littly shy. Well... I don't know what to say!

Takahashi: I've been thinking about it, and I just can't think of anyone who could do Inuyasha better, Kappei-san.

Hidaka (Kikyou): That's got to put Kappei on Cloud Nine!

Yukino (Kagome): We better hurry up and bring him down (laughs)!

Takahashi: I liked Yukino-san as Kagome, too. I was utterly convinced; I thought, "Now I know how she sounds!" And you have such a cute scream!

Yukino (Kagome: I've got to make that scream cuter!

Takahashi: Don't push it too much, it sounded fine to me. And Kikyo, I'd been looking forward to that performance since the day they picked Hidaka-san! How would you do? Kikyo doesn't show up often in the story, but she has a huge presence. Hidaka-san's Kikyo, just like in the comic, makes me feel that she's right there at my side, making me feel good.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): I know what you mean -- she's always there!

Hidaka (Kikyou): Take a picture in the studio and you'll probably see me in it, even when I'm not there.

Yukino (Kagome: No kidding, really! Even when Hidaka-san isn't in the studio, it's like your aura is still there, I swear.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Yeah, it's like you're watching us from somewhere.

Hidaka (Kikyou): I'm probably peeking through the crack in the door (laughs)! You know, I was real tense and nervous when I gave my first line: "Inuyasha!" Kikyo is so conflicted about Inuyasha and so tense, I really wondered how it'd sound coming out of my throat. I had no idea. I worried that it might be exactly like Akane's "Ranma!" My heart was pounding! But an entirely different voice came out, I was so relieved! It felt good, and I knew, "this is it" (laughs)!

Takahashi: I knew Hidaka-san was doing it, but if I hadn't known that ahead of time I couldn't have told you who was in the role.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): I've been hearing from a lot of people since the show went on the air, from TV people to my neighbors (laughs). I've found out that a lot more people are watching "Inuyasha" than I expected.

Hidaka (Kikyou): I went to a gig at a different studio, and people were talking about "Inuyasha" all the time, not the show they were working on (laughs)! "Noriko-san, I'll play Shippo. And he'll probably play Hojo."

Takahashi: Will Kumiko Watanabe do Shippo? I'm looking forward to hearing that. I wonder what sort of voice she'll use. I saw her at the opening party last week, but I didn't have the guts to ask her to do a little Shippo right there (laughs)!

Yamaguchi: We had Miroku and Koga at the party, too. I'd tell the readers who they are, but it's still a secret, sorry!

Takahashi: Indeed. I can't wait to hear that person do Miroku (laughs)!

Hidaka (Kikyou): He couldn't come to the party, but Ken'ichi Ogata, who's doing Myoga, told me he's looking forward to the sessions very much. Everyone who got parts are really excited and waiting anxiously for their sessions. That's so cool!

Takahashi: From a long time ago, since the very beginning, I thought long and hard about Inuyasha's voice. I couldn't think of anyone but Kappei-san. In the early production meetings the staff asked me if I had any requests. There was only one: "Please have Kappei-san do Inuyasha."

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): That's wonderful, I'm so grateful! It's a lot of responsibility.

Yukino (Kagome): I've been a fan of Ms. Takahashi's work since I was a little kid, and it was so strange to be playing what I'd been reading. I went to the audition for Kagome thinking, "I HAVE to get this part!" It came true, and I got it. After that the pressure, gradually built up. I asked myself, "Am I really Kagome? Me? Are you sure?" It got really heavy.

Takahashi: Don't worry, you're perfect for it!

[Chibi Jen]

Hidaka (Kikyou): I was going to the audition for Kagome, but I knew nothing about her, so I went to a bookstore, picked up the comic, took a look at her and was shocked to find a 15-year-old girl!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Younger than Akane....

Hidaka (Kikyou): Then I went back to the story and rediscovered Kagome as an attractive character, typical of Ms. Takahashi's heroines. Looking at her as an actress, I wanted to play her. But, personally, I was still so attached to my favorite character, Akane in "Ranma 1/2." Anyway I went to the audition and read my lines, feeling a strange sense of deja vu. I didn't know whether that was good or bad, and I went home with mixed feelings about the whole thing.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): I don't catch that you were feeling that way. I just kept going on about myself, didn't I? I apologize.

Hidaka (Kikyou): Thank you (laughs)! A while later, as I expected I was offered "another" character, not Kagome. I said to myself, "I knew it!" I thougt that other character would be Yura, so I reread the story over and over thinking about her (everyone bursts into laughter)!

THen they told me I got Kikyo, and I thought that made a lot of sense. Now I was elected, playing the wonderful past life of Kagome. This time I read the story focusing on Kikyo. Honestly, she's a tough one, not like any other character I've done, but I could see some challenge in her.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): In addition to every "Inuyasha" actor having a good time, there's a really good balance among us, from the very young people to the very experienced actors. It's particularly great to have Hisako Kyoda there doing Kaede.

Yukino (Kagome): She is such a great actress!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): She gives us little comments about our acting, saying things like, "that inflection was a little odd," or "something's not quite right about that." This alone is so precious. Once she began commenting to me, I felt her watching me constantly. This makes rehearsal really fun, but builds up a lot of pressure for the final take.

Takahashi: In that way, "Inuyasha" is blessed.

Yukino (Kagome) : Kyoda-san and the experienced actors are great, but look at you, Kappei-san.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): (surprised) What?

Yukino (Kagome): You're terrible, Kappei-san, always calling me Akane!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): I got a good chewing out for that the other day.

Yukino (Kagome): I let it go twice, but the third time? I thought I shouldn't be so sweet to you!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): She sounded just like Kagome in the first episode telling me, "You know, I'm not Akane, I'm Kagome! Kah, Goh, Meh! Right?"

Hidaka (Kikyou): It's the same three syllables (laughs).

[Chibi Jen]

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Anyway... Ms. Takahashi, I sometimes wondered how I should pronounce certain names, like Kikyo and Shikon no Tama.

Hidaka (Kikyou): Everybody was doing it their own way, so we talked about it a lot in the studio.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): All my readings turned out to be wrong.

The guest actors wonder, too. They often whisper to me, "Hey, how do you say this?"

Takahashi: I had some ideas about pronunciation when I thought of these names. Because I created so many characters, I ran out of normal names, so I got some names you don't ordinarily hear spoken.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): 'Inuyasha' is also a rare name.

Takahashi: He's both a dog (inu) and a forest spirit (yasha). There you have it, Inuyasha (laughs).

Yukino (Kagome): Kappei gets mad when I call him 'inu,' even though it's in the script.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Don't call me "inu." I don't know why, but I hate being called a dog.

Takahashi: (laughs) Come to think of it, I did a lot of thinking before deciding on Kagome. I wrote down everything that came to mind. Kagome sounded cute. I like names that end with 'me,' so for no particular reason, I chose Kagome (laughs).

Hidaka (Kikyou): How did you come up with Kikyo?

Takahashi: The language of flowers was the key. I happened to see a balloonflower (kikyo) on TV, and its meaning was introduced: "unchanging love." I said, "That's it!"

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): I have to say it's so much fun doing Inuyasha. At this moment, the character's focus is on the Jewel rather than Kagome. So what I play is joy, anger, joy, anger, joy, anger.... The director warned me not to be so argumentative all the time. I love Inuyasha that way, he's a stress reliever (laughs).

Yukino (Kagome): You may be having fun, but when Inuyasha calls me 'stupid woman' over and over, I'm offended (laughs)! I feel like he's getting a little sweeter lately, though.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Is he? I worry that after Kikyo appears, I won't know how to switch my feelings between Kagome and Kikyo. Don't you think that'll be difficult, Ms. Takahashi?

Takahashi: Don't worry. I avoided situations where the three of them would be together talking. Inuyasha always likes the girl he is with the best.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Uh-huh (laughs)! Shame, shame, bad Inuyasha!

Takahashi: I think he's all right that way (laughs). There might be a problem if the three of them were together.

Hidaka (Kikyou): It's hard to really understand Inuyasha's emotions, but Kikyo's are mysterious, too. I feel I have to read the original story more and work harder. My mission is to keep frightening everyone as much as I can, both as a character and in the studio.

Takahashi: We can't wait, can we? The revived Kikyo just explodes to life. She makes the scenes with all her screaming and such. She has so much hatred, but enormous love as well. I wonder what sort of voice she'll have....

Hidaka (Kikyou): Because she has so much love, her hatred is deep, right? Her only reson to come back from death is that 'unchanging love.'

Takahashi: A job well done when it's done at ease. I'll watch you on TV every week. Good luck everyone.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Please come back to more sessions!

Hidaka (Kikyou): Please come back when Kikyo appears (laughs).

Takahashi: I will, but only if I don't get in your way (laughs)!

What do you guys think of this interview?? I think it's really interesting...lol

[jdeyke]

Thanks for posting that! :-)

That was great! :-D

[Saphira]

it's really interesting....i find rumiko takahashi as a friendly and kind person..^_^

[Death Soldier]

I really enjoyed reading the interview you posted up chibiJen! It was like bringing the characters to life and seeing the voice actors having a converation to me was like the actaul characters Inuyasha, Kagome and Kikyou talking to Rumiko Takahashi . =)

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Younger than Akane....

haha..this made me have a laugh because I could imagine ranma/Inuysha saying it. It's funny!

Yukino (Kagome) : Kyoda-san and the experienced actors are great, but look at you, Kappei-san. Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): (surprised) What?

Yukino (Kagome): You're terrible, Kappei-san, always calling me Akane!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): She sounded just like Kagome in the first episode telling me, "You know,

I'm not Akane, I'm Kagome! Kah, Goh, Meh! Right?"

I found this very cute

Yukino (Kagome): Kappei gets mad when I call him 'inu,' even though it's in the script.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Don't call me "inu." I don't know why, but I hate being called a dog.

The character interaction's nice =)

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Is he? I worry that after Kikyo appears, I won't know how to switch

my feelings between Kagome and Kikyo. Don't you think that'll be difficult, Ms. Takahashi?

Takahashi: Don't worry. I avoided situations where the three of them would be together talking.

Inuyasha always likes the girl he is with the best.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Uh-huh (laughs)! Shame, shame, bad Inuyasha!

ahaha!!! This is so funny...seems like Takahashi has planned out everything...

[Death Soldier]

Here's the Transcript of the interview with Inuyasha's author - Rumiko Takahashiin June 1997 by ANIMERICA .

(Interview by Seiji Horibuchi, translated by Takayuki Karahashi)

It's not as entertaining as the one ChibiJen posted, but still some interesting stuff.

ANIMERICA Inuyasha, your new work that the entire world's been waiting for, has finally begun serialisation in Japan, and the English translation is already underway. Can you tell us the basis for the idea or story inspirations when you were creating Inuyasha?

TakahashiWell, that's difficult to say, but for one thing, I wanted to draw a story-oriented manga. Also, I liked the idea of a historical piece. Something I could easily draw. That's the premise I started with.


ANIMERICA Compared to your previous Ranma 1/2, were there aspects or trends in the story that you intentionally tried to change? TakahashiIt's no intentional, but Inuyasha is less comedic that Ranma 1/2. Actually, I would like to get a few more laughs in, but I think that can wait until I can organise it better in myself.

ANIMERICA That certainly feels the way it's going. I've read the manga up to the fifth installment. I did feel it's less comedic, and I kept on waiting for the laughs to come up. I don't remember which story, but the main character Kagome makes Inuyasha quiet down by chanting a mantra... and it's "sit!" I laughed out loud there.

TakahashiI'd like to have more of that sort of thing myself.

ANIMERICA So right now, you're more at the level where you're setting up the story?

TakahashiWell, yes... that's the current stage.

ANIMERICA Inuyasha's setting is purely Japanese. I'm sure that after the story has been translated into English, it will also be translated into various other languages of the world. Now, I'm sure world readership wasn't the first thing you had in mind when you were creating the story. How do you feel about a purely Japanese story going out to the world?


TakahashiWell, some aspects of Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura were turely universal, but I wonder how it will work out in Inuyasha. for example, I must wonder how much of historical Japan foreign readers will understand. But of course, when I'm drawing the story, I'm drawing it for the Japanese readers, and historical settings don't matter to them. Instead, I have to draw a piece that will register to them as manga. In that sense, I think it will work out.


ANIMERICA The serial's just started, and we're all interested in how the story will develop. As one of your readers, I'd be happy if you could tell me what I should look for in the story and keep in mind to enhance my enjoyment of the manga. Of course, I'm sure you have story spoilers that you don't want to give away just yet.


TakahashiWell, I'm not really sure about it myself yet, but if I could, I'd like to depict a bizarre world view. ANIMERICA Okay... well, the serial's just started, but how far have you planned out the story?


TakahashiWell, I have a rough idea of how the personal relationships should work out, but that's all. I'm hoping the plot will follow. But I'm wondering about getting too tied up in relationships. So, I'd really like to be able to improvise as I go.


ANIMERICA So you're just preparing the characters and their relationships and letting the plot develop by itself?

TakahashiYou could say that. So I don't want and premeditated conclusions.

ANIMERICA It look like there will be more characters introduced over time, but do you plan of having, say, so-and-so many characters at such-and-such point in the plot? Would that be in response to the plot development?


TakahashiOf course, it would be in response to the plot, but currently, there are only antagonists, so I would like them to find friends soon. I am hoping for that.

ANIMERICA You're just hoping and don't have specific ideas for such characters right no?

TakahashiRight, I don't have specific characters for that yet. I'll probably come up with one the week I have to draw the story.


ANIMERICA It must be tough work to do a weekly serial. TakahashiIt truly is tough.

ANIMERICA Do you almost never get time off?

TakahashiYou can say that. Once it starts, it's difficult to get time off.

ANIMERICA There was quite a while between the end of Ranma 1/2 and the beginning of your current serial when you didn't have regular work. Were you able to have some leisure time during then?

TakahashiYou could say that. [LAUGHS] I went to Mexico. It was my second time, but it had been a while. I'm glad I was able to go.

ANIMERICA Where in Mexico did you go? TakahashiI went to the Yucatan Peninsula again. I saw the ruins and the pyramids.

ANIMERICA Did you stay in Cancun in Yucatan? TakahashiI went to Cancun and then to Mérida for a total of ten days.

ANIMERICA I hope you can find time to come to the U.S. again. When you came to the San Diego Comic-Con two years ago, it was such a big event, for the fans and probably for you as well. We were glad you came.


TakahashiIt was fun.

ANIMERICA I hope we can invite you to San Diego again, but I'm sure you have something else to concentrate on while you have a serial.

TakahashiI'll say. That does tend to become the case.

ANIMERICA Society and times have changed since you first started Ranma 1/2, haven't they? And naturally you're older and more experienced as well... How are your feelings different now that you've started Inuyasha from how they were when you began Ranma 1/2?


TakahashiWell, I didn't realise it myself when I started Ranma 1/2, but I must have been under pressure to match my previous two works, and I think I was rushing. I was thinking I had to create memorable scenes as soon as possible. In that sense, I think I feel like now I'm free to do what I can do.

ANIMERICA Are you that much more relaxed?

TakahashiI wouldn't say I'm more relaxed. I wonder how you'd describe it... ANIMERICA You've grown up?

TakahashiI wouldn't say "grown up" either. I'll always be a kid. [LAUGHS]

ANIMERICA But you don't feel the pressure like last time?

TakahashiI do feel the pressure, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm at the age when I can keep on drawing shounen manga ("boy's comics") forever. But I do... I do want to keep on drawing shounen manga until I die.


ANIMERICA I certainly hope you'll go on for a long time yet. [LAUGHS] Inuyasha is just starting its run in the U.S., but we'll be doing out best to take painstaking care with it, so I hope we can have your blessing. Now, I'd like to ask a few more questions on something besides Inuyasha. your American readers learned last year the news that you've sold a cumulative total of over one hundred million tankoubon copies ["compilation books," or graphic novels - Ed.]. It's hard to imagine what the number one hundred million copies means, but how do you feel about that? [


TakahashiIt's really, really hard to have a feel for it. I didn't suddenly make one hundred million copies - it was the result of many years of steady work. But it really made me happy too.

ANIMERICA It averages out to every person in Japan owning a copy of your book. That's monumental. TakahashiBut I do have the great mentor in Mitsuru Adachi [another manga artist to sell over 1000 million copies, author of Nine, Slow Step, Miyuki, Touch, etc. - Ed.]. I could always see what Adachi's done and I would know how to follow in his footsteps.


ANIMERICA So tentatively, your next goal is two hundred million copies?

TakahashiTwo hundred million copies would be tough. I've only recently realized how tough it would be to make one hundred and fifty million copies.

ANIMERICA In creating your works, is there a particular place that inspires you the most, or do you have a unique way of coming up with ideas?

TakahashiWell, I basically think at home, which is my workplace. But I'm thinking about my serial work whenever I go out. Especially in Inuyasha, the task of observing minute details in very important, so I keep an eye out for what's going on in newspaper columns and what-not.

ANIMERICA Do you mean you often get ideas from daily observations?

TakahashiYes. Although, that's true whenever you're drawing manga.

ANIMERICA Do you read books or see movies when your serial is going on? TakahashiI read books. I see more plays that movies, though.

ANIMERICA Do you have a recent favourite play?

TakahashiWell, I've been going to see Takarazuka. [LAUGHS]

ANIMERICA That you very much for your time today. I really hope you can come again to the U.S. when you have the time.

TakahashiThank you. I really made fond memories last time.

ANIMERICA I hope you'll be able to make new fond memories.


www.inuyashaworld.com/artists.cfm

[jdeyke]

That was interesting! Thanks for sharing that!

[Chibi Jen]

From the previous interview;

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): Anyway... Ms. Takahashi, I sometimes wondered how I should pronounce certain names, like Kikyo and Shikon no Tama.

Hidaka (Kikyou): Everybody was doing it their own way, so we talked about it a lot in the studio.

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): All my readings turned out to be wrong.

The guest actors wonder, too. They often whisper to me, "Hey, how do you say this?"

Funny XD I didn't know there were other pronounciations ^^

Looks like the actors love their own character roles heaps!

Yamaguchi (Inuyasha): I have to say it's so much fun doing Inuyasha. At this moment, the character's focus is on the Jewel rather than Kagome. So what I play is joy, anger, joy, anger, joy, anger.... The director warned me not to be so argumentative all the time. I love Inuyasha that way, he's a stress reliever (laughs).

Was the anime made way after the manga? Cause.. they mention Koga's character... but he comes in quite late in the series ^^;;

[Death Soldier]

Interview with Takahashi-senise and the TV Anime producer

Tomioka
The colour samples from "Inuyasha" are finally done! What do think, Takahashi-sensei!!

Takahashi
They're nice, aren't they. But, I don't know how the colours will actually look when seen on TV. Anyway, they're great!!

Tomioka
Yes, I understand. Well on top of that, I read the original serial seial work, but I never thought I'd be doing the anime version!!

Takahashi
As far as my serial work is concerned, there are few laughs, so I worried what'd happen for the Inuyasha anime! (laughs) So for when it becomes an anime, instead of making it serious all the time, I thought I should also have cheerful and fun parts as well.

Tomioka
Indeed! Ikeda-san the director, first swore to treasure the drawing of the original work above all else. Therefor, we'll make use of the cheerful parts in the original work!!

Takahashi
But I'll be looking forward to movement and sound which I can't do without anime, and please don't feel bound to the original work and try other things.

Tomioka
Before long, we'll show the flashy and cool appearance we take pride in (laughs). The director also has a plan to keep to Takahashi-sensei's taste in doing gags. Ah, by the way, next week finally is the audition for the seiyuu-san...!!

Takahashi
Hmm. Inuyasha's voice is after all a young boy's voice. I definately would like a male seiyuu-san for him! A female would sound too child-like, and out of place, but... that's fine if [the character] is more like a child though.


Tomioka
Like Shippou, for example?

Takahashi
Exactly! Shippou in particular wouldn't work without a female [seiyuu]. I don't suppose you could actually bring in a real child could you?

Tomioka
Not really... like, if their voice changed, it would be a major problem wouldn't it (laughs). Next then, what about Kagome?

Takahashi
Hmm, it's a bit hard to image her, but... I feel that something like, well, a voice which isn't too sweet, and yet refreshing would be good.

Tomioka
It certainly could be hard. Then how about Kikyou...?
Takahashi
In the manga, it's said Kagome looks like her, but her personality is different and her face is also different - it's true! So of course, her voice would be different to Kagome's, and being too sweet would also be no good. But, I want a soft feeling somewhere. Seems like you'll be forgiven no matter what I say (laughs).

Tomioka
It's not just a thankless role is it. Kikyou is certainly older than Kagome isn't she.

Takahashi
Right. Kagome is 15 years old... and drawing their two faces is different, and surely Kikyou would be older (laughs). I guess Kikyou is around 17 years old.

Tomioka
I see (laughs). Okay, when the audition CD is done, I'll come around again.

[COMMENTS] I guess he means doing a recording of the audition on a CD...

Takahashi
Okay, I'll be waiting!! So, about when will I be able to see Inuyasha moving and talking?

Tomioka
That's still rather unknown though... (laughs).

Takahashi
The voices and drama are both important, but I'm looking forward to the action parts too. But, I think the way in which the action stops and starts during an episode is an important point too. (or something like that - not sure about translating this line...) When there's action there's action, and when there's a pause there should be a pause, shouldn't there. (trouble translating this line too...) Certainly when there's an important scene, you want to carefully relish it, right.

Tomioka
We'll do that properly too. "Inuyasha" will be a hit no matter how we make it, but the director isn't relying on that and all the staff have really given their utmost since the beginning. I hope we live up to expectations!!

Takahashi
It sounds like a lot of work, but I wish you the best.

Tomioka
Actually, this is the first time I've done such a famous author's work. I'm happy, and honoured, and it'll be a challenge too. But on the other hand, the responsibility is also heavy, isn't it (laughs). Oh, today, the continuity for episode 2 was completed, check it...!

Takahashi
Sure. We both have heavy responsibilities don't we... (laughs).
Source:http://www.wot-club.org.uk/Inuyasha/special/tv_anime.html

[Chibi Jen]

heheh..that's such a cool interview!! It was very interesting to read.

[Chibi Jen]

hahah.. I always thought Takahashi did Kimagure Orange Road... the drawing styles are very similiar After some in depth discussion with a friend over MSN.. I realised it wasn't ^^;; I was quite surprised...

The conclusion we came up with: The person who did Kimagure Orange Road did the animation drawings for Maison Ikkou .. So therefore the similarity in styles (as it was based of Takahashi's manga work)

Please correct me if Im wrong, and feel free to join in the discussion..