  
Webmaster: Thank you,
Masamune, for joining us today and welcome to the kodanclub.com web
site. Congratulations, by the way, on the publication of "MANMACHINE
INTERFACE"!! Like many fans of "GHOST IN THE SHELL" I've been
eagerly awaiting the sequel. Well it's taken 10 years, but now it's
out how do you feel?
Masamune Shirow: You know, I
didn't think it would take me 10 years...but I'm pleased to have
published it without hitch (Or were there problems?). Actually
production only took me a year and a half. But it feels good to
finally get rid of the baggage I've been carrying around with me for
the past 10 years. When I finished, though, I wasn't so confident
about what I'd done. I thought, like maybe, there was room for
improvement in many places. Now all I want is for my readers to
enjoy it. All's well that ends well...
I should say that
"MANMACHINE INTERFACE" is not a true sequel to "GHOST IN THE
SHELL"...well, not in the strict sense of the word. "GHOST IN THE
SHELL" was all about the 9th Division of Police HQ. This time, I've
written about what happens to Motoko after she's been fused with an
"artificial life" (Motoko-plus). She now works in a huge corporation
that floats on the Pacific Ocean. Readers may find that some parts
are similar to "GHOST IN THE SHELL" but it's really a completely
different kind of work.
Webmaster: You said before
that all 200 full-color pages were created on a computer. What was
especially difficult about using computer
graphics?
Masamune Shirow: One day my hard disk
suddenly died on me and I lost 16 GB of data. It was really tiring,
too, having to read through those thick manuals, every time an
application got an upgrade. As a MAC user I experienced trouble with
USB devices. In the end, I learned that DTP involves a lot of manual
work and relies -painfully- on the operator.
There are 2 versions
of "MANMACHINE INTERFACE" published in Japan, the "short-cut" and
"standard" versions. For the "short cut," I made the colors darker
and softer to facilitate quick and tireless reading. But for
"standard" I went for a stronger contrast than regular printing, so
be warned, your eyes might get tired. Right now I am making the data
for the foreign-language editions. I've no idea how they will turn
out because I don't have enough information about the ink and other
factors.
Webmaster: You've drawn a fascinating
combination of very detailed machines and erotic characters. What do
you like to draw the most?
Masamune Shirow:
Everything. I create by putting together everything I like. I like
it best when a drawing turns out exactly as I intended. This is even
more satisfying than drawing things I like.
Webmaster:
By the way, have you read any books or seen any movies recently that
impressed you? Or is there anything else that you are interested in
right now?
Masamune Shirow: There's computer games...
I've finally got the time to play "TOMB RAIDER V CHRONICLES"... As
of June 19, 2001, I'm looking forward to CAPCOM's "Devil May Cry"
(not yet on sale) and ARUZE's "SHADOW HEARTS" (not yet on sale)... I
hope I'm not too busy when they come out... No! I'll be in trouble
if I'm not busy.
And animations... I wonder if they'll make Hayao
Miyazaki's "Zasso Note" into an animated movie. I hope they do
during my lifetime. Not that I can do anything about
it.
Webmaster: So what do you have up your sleeve
next...
Masamune Shirow: I'm currently making plans
for my next work. I've heard that Mamoru Oshii, the director of the
animated movie, "GHOST IN THE SHELL" is planning on doing a "GHOST
IN THE SHELL 2." It will be about the 9th Division again and not
"MANMACHINE INTERFACE."
Webmaster: Last of all, do you
have anything to say to your fans who are reading this on
kodanclub.com?
Masamune Shirow: Yes. I'm making
non-Japanese versions of "MANMACHINE INTERFACE" right now. I'm
afraid I've had to rewrite the balloons and sound effects and
reverse the work from left to right. So like "GHOST IN THE SHELL"
sometimes right arms become left arms for example. But there's not
much that can be done about it. Ideally, I wanted to publish them at
the same time as the Japanese version but it just wasn't possible.
Sorry. Please wait a little longer. I would also like to thank the
people, who have waited for 10 years. Thank you so much. Foreign
editions will be out soon.
(Tokyo, June 19.
2001)
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| Born in 1961, Masamune Shirow
created his first manga, "Black Magic" while still in college and
made his public debut with "APPLE SEED" in 1985. His profound
worldview, fast action scenes and detailed artwork have won him many
fans. His major work, "GHOST IN THE SHELL" was a big hit and it's
movie adaptation was popular in Japan, the US, and UK. The video
reached number 1 on the "Billboard" sales
chart. |
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