The origin of the ever-expanding worldview of the manga “Higanjima”…the origin of the ever-expanding worldview of “Higanjima”! Manga “Higanjima”… The origin of the ever-expanding world view
Interview with Kouji Matsumoto, author of the manga "Higanjima" (Part 2)
It was unexpected! The roots of the author, Koji Matsumoto: ……
The horror manga “Higanjima” by Kouji Matsumoto has been serialized in “Weekly Young Magazine” since 2002. Set on the island of Higanjima, which is also the title of the manga, the main character, Akira Miyamoto, and his brother Atsushi battle against the vampire forces led by the master vampire Masashi.
The title was changed to “Higanjima: The Last 47 Days” in 2010 and “Higanjima: 48 Days Later…” in 2002, and the story has been set on the mainland and is still going strong.
In April, the serialization of “48 Days Later…” surpassed 400 installments, and we interviewed the series’ creator, Kouji Matsumoto. In the second part of this interview, we take a closer look at his roots as a manga artist.
Something that has taken root in me …… is the Tezuka manga.
I have been drawing manga ever since I was a little kid. However, it is difficult for a child to actually draw up the artwork. When I was little, I couldn’t draw that well, so I would draw manga as well, but in order to produce what I wanted to produce, I would write novels and add illustrations and so on.
Then, when I was in the first or second year of junior high school, I came across the works of Osamu Tezuka, and it became clear to me that I wanted to become a manga artist.
Surprisingly, Matsumoto’s starting point as a manga artist was the works of Osamu Tezuka. So there was a time when you tried to draw manga like Tezuka’s? When I asked him if there was a time when he tried to draw something like Tezuka’s works, he was asked in return with a blank stare.
No, no (laughs). I’m still trying to draw them (laughs).
(laughs).
I think my drawings are probably completely different, but there are many things in Tezuka’s manga as well.
He often draws characters who are inflected. I think I would never be able to tell a story on a huge scale like “The Firebird” or complete a complete story like “Black Jack,” but the things and feelings that are rooted in me are Tezuka manga.
Personally, when “Higanjima” started in ’02, already in the first episode, I thought it was a unique world that did not resemble anyone or anything else. I also wondered where the original worldview, like a mutation, came from. ……
What kind of input do you have on a daily basis when drawing manga?
When I’m stuck for material, the most useful thing I can do is to watch something I’ve always loved, whether it’s a movie, a comic book, or anything else. It reminds me of my passion. When I’m in a slump, my brain often shrinks as a result of worrying about various small things, and I can’t come up with anything.
At times like that, I go back to something I’ve always loved, most recently the manga “Kira Kira! (Tetsu Adachi). When I look back at something I love and am moved by it, it reminds me of my desire to draw manga. When you have passion, the little things don’t matter, and you can shake off the little problems that have been holding you back from doing anything as long as it’s fun.
