An interview with Muegumi Tachikawa! o Tell us how you came up with "Mink".
Q: "Cyber Idol Mink" is about an idol created with a computer. How did you think of a futuristic story like this?
A: Whenever I'm trying to think of a new story, I have to think of lots of ideas so that they aren't anything like others I've drawn. So this time, I wanted to draw something completely unlike anything before. So I thought, "This is the year 2000, I want to draw something new and futuristic!"
Q: But isn't it hard to write a story revolving around computers?
A: Yes. The truth is, I'm not good with them at all. But I thought it might be a good idea to not use a lot of technical jargon, so that anyone could understand the story.
Q: The name "Mink" is really cute!
A: I'm glad. I thought that I really wanted to give her a cute name. I tend to use names starting with one of the "ma-mi-mu-me-mo" sounds to give a name a really cute feel... (like "Meimi" from Kaitou Saint
Tail) and now "Mink"~!
Q: Hmm, so that's the reason...as the story develops, Mink-chan will steadily become a super idol...did you have a model for her?
A: Yes. For her image, I used Vivian Hsu-chan as a kind of model.
Q: Then for Motoharu-senpai?
A: For his image, I used Inohara-kun from V6....
Q: I see! Then what about Illiya?
A: For his appearance, I used people from all different bands! But I made him like Hyde-san from L'Arc-en-Ciel in places, but their looks are sometimes different because I was checking it out, and thought, "This might be kind of risky..." by making them too similar...
Q: What characters are the most fun to draw?
A: Kanoka and Mahoko are really fun to draw. Because the heroine is sort of ditzy, they sort of play the more serious parts compared to her. And I try with all my might to draw Illiya to make him very cool! I try to make my power come out in my drawing...
o How about Work and Private Life? Q: What does it take to produce a story every month?
A: First, I arrange things with my editor. Then we decide on content and plot (storyline, dialog, and other details) and that takes two to three days. After I have the OK, next I work on naming (checking on continuity, and deciding how many words to a page). At the latest, I
can do this in about five days. Then I do my first draft, which takes about five days. It takes about three to four days to ink it. Once it's finished, I have to arrange things for the next chapter...and so on.
Q: Wow! So then you're busy all year round? And plus, you have to do any other work Kodansha gives you, right?
A: Always.
Q: Like things for "Cyber Idol Mink" volume one?
A: Yes. It's going on sale on March 6th.
Q: That's news! Everyone, please check it out! But, if you're busy everyday, when do you think of story ideas?
A: Mostly when I'm watching TV. Ideas surface while the commercials are on.
Q: Clever! So then, do you watch TV while you work?
A: Except for the naming part, I watch TV when I'm working.
Q: Ooh! What a cute size!
A: I like sports programs. The year before last when the Olympics were on, I kept thinking and thinking about it no matter what, so I thought, "I want to get a TV to watch during work!"...and that was when I bought it.
Q: What kinds of sports do you like?
A: These days, I've been watching World Cup Volleyball. It suprised me when it showed up, but it was really interesting to watch.
Q: Do you watch dramas?
A: I like them. When a new one starts, I'll definitely watch it once. If I like it, I keep watching.
Q: How about the recent suspense shows?
A: I like them...but I get scared, and I can't stand murder scenes. If they happen, I have to close my eyes and I won't open them until it's safe to look.
Q: So, then how about horror...?
A: I can't take them!!
Q: That's too bad...so what do you do to calm down when you get scared?
A: I guess...play with my little parakeet, Momo...
Q: Wah, lovely! How old is it?
A: He's about three years old, but this isn't its true form, right now it's half-asleep...so it isn't acting like it usually does... I think his original form was "God of Destruction"!
Tachikawa-sensei and Momo begin to play. However, Momo gradually wakes up and follows the sounds of the digital camera, then suddenly starts to attack this strange visitor!
Q: Wah! (Momo starts pecking the reporter's head) I woke up the God of Destruction! I'm sorry! I'll cut it short here, Tachikawa-sensei, thank you very much!
A: Thank you very much.
In case you're curious, these are photos of the idol singers that Megumi-sensei mentioned in the interview as being models for the characters Mink, Motoharu, & Illiya.
Inohara Yoshihiko
Vivian Hsu
Hyde
