Interview
Bound interview by Kikyo from Clone-Orgie.net
The online manga world never had it so good. With its newest and one of the best-received manga in the online community, Bound continues to take OL manga fans by storm. This is definitely not your typical schoolgirl manga, riddled with mysteries, legends, and (all together now!) bishounen. What do the creators have to say about their manga? Read on as we take a peek behind the masterminds of Bound.
Q. How did the idea for Bound first come about?
M: I wasn't really a part of the original idea. Shiori came up with the idea herself - she would post series of her stories on her mailing list. I ended up trying to do fanart for her series...so I started doing fanart for Bound. We started talking about it when I'd ask for character descriptions so I could design them for the fanart. After, I don't know, maybe a year or two of that? we agreed to work on a series together. We planned on drawing one of her original stories out in a new scripted form. And of course that was Bound. That's how it started for me.
S: Hmm, this one is kind of funny to answer I'll see how far back I can remember (*lol*). The original idea behind Bound manifested itself as a shadow of what it is now in my mind almost three years ago now. I really wanted to write a magical girl story that tore itself away from many of the usual conventions but still had some elements of the genre and its staple ideals. I also started off with a strong theme in mind - two people in one body. There's a part of myself that sometimes feels like there is an "outer" me and an "inner" me, I simply built on this idea by making the heroine into two people - people with different thoughts, feelings and identities who also (thanks to fate) share a mutual goal.
One was Rekka; who I wanted to be a strong girl, a young woman with goals who wasn't going to be an atypical heroine (the kind that needs to be rescued by a man and who ends up married with kids at a very young age) - someone who had strong beliefs and was against the war she was being drawn into - sure, in some ways I wanted her to be a cute and fun heroine with her own little quirks but I very much wanted her to be her own person as well, without fitting into the magical heroine stereotype.
The other was Toshi; a strong woman in her own right as well. While she can come across as rahter ditzy, the truth is she is the savage and unwavering side of a person. Where Rekka can let her feelings get in the way, Toshi pushes hers aside to achieve goals for which she was "made" to achieve. But in other ways she can be nuturing, a mother figure to Rekka - a girl whose own mother is barely in her life. Two different but determined people who can clash, but who ultimately enrich the others' lives.
I actually started writing parts of Bound in February of 2000, however I didn't really start working on it after I returned from Japan in May of 2000. While I was in Japan I visited some beautiful mountains near my town's sister city (Sannohe). Having come from a very arid region in Australia this was the first time in my life I'd ever seen snow - yes, I was that deprived! Running in the snow, throwing snowballs, looking out from the tops of icy mountains gave me a burning inspiration to make Bound a manga with a definite "winter" feel to it. Originally I wanted Yuki-Onna to be one with Rekka, not Toshi while that was a fleeting thought I confirmed my idea to have Toshi and Rekka as one after my visit to Japan. The mountains I visited had a Yuki-Onna myth associated with them so, after my host sister explained the story to me it became definite in my mind that Yuki-Onna, the haunting maiden of ice should be inside another person, Rekka and Toshi were more complimentry to one another.
After I'd figured out the basics of my heroines, characters like Mamoru & The Council slowly evolved. I must say that Meimi was the one who helped develop a lot of the other characters and really refined the story. Her passion for it in its original state (I wrote about 13 chapters that were quite... awful by my standards now, but still ran on my mailing list of manga writers) helped drive her to fixing up a lot of errors and loose ends that were scattered through my original telling of the tale. Now we both work together on plot elements, and while I've had a lot of it planned in my mind all these years, things are always changing when we work together.
Q. How do you feel about online manga in general?
M: Choosy. It's just like any other creative effort on the internet. Some of it is good, most of it is pretty bad. I admit I never read much of either webmanga or webcomics until we started working on Bound, though. I'm very hard to please. Story has to be delivered in a way that's easy to understand, while still being intriuging...nobody nowadays seems to care about their setup or explanations, you know? They just jump straight to the action or the romance or whatever. It really makes me irritated - most online manga with original worlds or futuristic styles, they don't bother to explain how the "rules" of the world differ from the world today. It's very confusing as a reader.
Also, I'm very picky about art. It takes a clever concept for a story to get me to read something I don't think is just gorgeous. (Which worries me, very little of the Bound art is up to my standard for other people...) I'm trying to read more now that I know where to find good manga, though. Lots of pretty things on our links list that Shiori's hunted up. Altogether though, I really respect anyone who puts together an online manga. It takes a tremendous amount of effort and dedication - I think we're lucky that there's two of us. I can't imagine putting a whole series together all by myself the way most people do.
S: I believe that there are some real gems in the world of online manga. I have my favourites, like most and I enjoy reading them when I get a chance. I wouldn't call myself an avid follower of a lot of online titles but I do enjoy looking at interesting stories and a lot of the beautiful art in these online series. I particularly read horror and fantasy manga online, and it's always a thrill to find new and innovative titles though it can't be denied that there's a lot of average titles out there, there are a few that stand above these and those are the kinds I enjoy.
Q. Do you think Bound is providing something new for frequent readers of online manga?
M: If it isn't yet, it will. The writing is just brilliant. It's got a plot full of twists and a cast of characters that play my heartstrings like no other story I've read. It's funny. It has drama. It has every kind of romance type you could look for. It's got action. It's clever. I am madly, madly in love with every character and a day does not go by that my mind is not filled with thoughts of this series. I don't think all of these things have shown through in the beginning chapters, yet. We're still getting off the ground. But once we do, I can't imagine people not falling in love with it. I was just a fan of the story originally - and now look at me; I fell for it so hard that now I'm drawing the manga.
S: I believe it is. While our updates thus far have been rather infrequent we're hoping to get better at providing substantial updates of art and writing whenever we can. I think Meimi's illustrations and use of screen tones are an important part of what gives Bound a bit of staying power with avid online manga readers. I've heard a lot of comments from people that suggest some thought it was a translated original Japanese manga and not just an online title! Others have said that the storyline is quite unique in a sea of stereotypical online series, the sort of story that sucks you in and won't let you go (*blush*).When you have art like Meimi's and a gradually unfolding storyline that people find intruiging I think you have something special.
Q. On your site, you state that Yuki-Onna is based on the legend--do you think that this legend will have a great impact on the story later on?
M: Somewhat, I think? It's not as big an influence as other legend-based manga have though. Nothing hugely specific, as far as I know. I mean, the idea of the yuki-onna is important to the story. But it's not the kind of storyline, I don't think, where you know exactly where the story is going once you hear the legend. It's not a an Ayashi no Ceres tennyo legend with the whole manga revolving about the backstory and finding the hagoromo, or a Dreamsaga Takamagahara legend of Amaterasu when it's all about keeping the sun alive. It's just a legend that's good to know and understand...just in the same way that it's nice to know that Mamoru has winged feet like messenger god Mercury.
S: Definitely. Yuki-Onna as a character hasn't developed very much to this point (end of chapter #2) but her motivations (which were inspired by the original myth) do become incredibly important to the storyline as the series progresses. I think I'm giving you the hint that she's far from your normal villain (*wink*). But seriously, I am, and always have been, very interested in mythology from around the world so a lot of my ideas for manga are based on mythological tales and people. I provide links to the Yuki-Onna myth on the official Bound site because I feel people should be familiar with the eerie, beautiful tale of the snow woman when they read our title though it isn't an intergral part of understanding the title, it is a supplementry thing.
Q. Shiori-san, what processes do you go through in order to come up with a good, workable script?
S: Well script-writing can be quite difficult so I usually sit down to write a Bound script when I'm in a good mood. I need to feel motivated and inspired to really portray the characters well through their actions and speech. When I write I started with the first page and write the page scripts in order, unless I have a brilliant idea for, say, page 20 that can't be repressed any longer (^^;). After saying that, I hope it's obvious that I know what I want to write before I try to write it. I have goals for each chapter and what I want to get across to the reader which are established before I get down to the nitty-gritty of writing dialogue.
So, basically, I sit down with a firm idea of what should be done with the chapter and then let the words flow. I write the dialogue, but also write descriptions of how I feel a scene should go or how a character's expression changes. This helps Meimi to create image that match with the dialogue, as well as expressions that match what I imagine the character to look like in a particular scene. Meimi also edits my scripts and makes sure that any continuity problems are worked out before she starts illustrating. I wrote a lot of scripts during my days at high school as a drama student, so reading up on successful script writing for the stage was a big help to me. I'm not sure if there is a right or wrong way to write scripts for manga/comics/the stage, my advice to anyone who wants to give it a shot is to write with passion because it is only through passion that a character's words feel genuine - their emotions, real.
Q. Do the two of you often come up with problems in communicating certain ideas or aspects that you want?
M: I think we work pretty well together. We talk a lot, so I'd like to think that I have a fairly good grasp of the characters; that we think of them roughly the same way and are working towards the same goal. The way it's written, the descriptions, make it very easy for me to lay it down on paper. We communicate a lot and I'm very straightforward about telling her if I think something should be done differently, how it would be easier to draw this way, that kind of thing.
S: (*laughs*) Yes, well, I think we do anyway. I don't have any problems with the way Meimi communicates her idea to me but I'm really wishy-washy sometimes so a lot of what I say doesn't make sense, especially when we discuss Bound. I tend to get caught up on a particular character or a particular scene and then I prattle on with ways to put them in at every chance we get, Meimi usually works out what I'm trying to say and helps sort things out. So, while Meimi says things in a straight forward way (e.g - "I think we should put _____ in _____ because...") I say things in a... less than straight forward manor (e.g - "... And then she can like, run over there but she left the thing- oh, wait, no, I think maybe he should have-- hmm, no, no..."), in other words - I babble, Meimi helps keep me grounded and focussed so we never really run into major communication problems. Our working relationship is great and we discuss things frequently and in-depth, I don't think I could ask for much more in our relationship.
Q. Meimi-san, how much time would you estimate is spent on drawing the actual manga--the rough drafts, the inking, scanning, editting, etc.?
M: About three hours per page if I do a page right the first time. The third chapter, which I'm working on right now, has been absorbing my time at an unbelievable rate. I keep turning back to the first two chapters and cringing at the horrible art, so I swore that this time I'd draw a page ten times if I had to, if that was what it took to make it look right. I think the chapter looks a lot better as a whole, but the drawing experience has been painfully time-consuming. I drew one of the pages five or six times...and inked most of them before realizing I still hated them...
The basic process starts with recieving the script. I ask any questions about the script that I need to, give Shiori feedback, occasionally ask her to redo something that I don't think will flow well to paper. Then I print it off, and those pages become...very ragged and scribbled-over. I write my own notes on the script, split up page breaks, and make marks by the dialogue to show if a section is done sketching, inking, or Photoshopped.
I draw each page one at a time, usually at least attempted in some semblance of order in case the page breaks change later on. I ink it, scan it, edit it, upload it. Then I show each page as it comes out to Shiori and my best friend - who's been absolutely wonderful about looking everything over since I started. When I was beginning I would think, "Ha, nobody will notice if I'm a little sloppy right here," but she always noticed my mistakes and would point them out, and I'd go back to fix it. So it's a pretty long process page by page.
Q. What manga or online manga are you inspired by, if any?
M: Tanemura Arina is my idol. I think she's the one who really shows through in my art (unfortunately she shows through far too much), but there are lots of other mangaka whose works really make me want to grab my pencil and start sketching. CLAMP, Fujiwara Ryuu, and Sadamoto Yoshiyuki especially. Online manga inspire me in a different way, because Photoshop tone is so different, and I see manga online using some great new tone or a Photoshop trick I never thought of, and I think "oh oh, I want to know how to do that!"
S: Hmm I think Bound drew some inspiration from "Ayashi no Ceres", as I was reading the series at the time. The same goes for "Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne" and "Shirahime-syo", these were both titles I was quite interested in at the time of Bound's "birth" so I think they helped inspire some aspects of the series. A lot of inspiration, for me, was drawn from the Ivoux song "Yuki-Onna" which I first head while Bound was swimming around in my head, it helped me really research the mythos from which the Yuki-Onna tale was born. As for Online Manga, I don't think any online titles inspired Bound as I didn't really get into online manga until late 2001, long after Bound had been created, even today few online titles inspire me - I prefer to listen to music or read books to gain inspiration.
Q. I noticed that you both list songs as your source for inspiration. Do either of you find a common trend, or a certain genre that often pops up on your playlist?
M: No specific genre, no. There's just this feeling that puts me in the mood for the series. There's a sense of quietness in the songs I pick. Something quiet and cold, but it clears the mind, too. Like taking your first breath when you step outside into the snow. So most of the songs I pick for inspiration just have to do with snow. "Winterfall" by L'Arc~en~Ciel, "White Destiny" by Ishida Youko, that kind of music that's intense but refreshing. And I like soundtracks that are somehow otherworldly; Yoko Kanno and the Lord of the Rings soundtracks come to mind. Those chilling chants are really good atmosphere when drawing Council scenes.
S: For a song to inspire me it must be able to conjure images of scenes and ideas for Bound in my mind, through both lyrics and music. Most of the songs that inspire me a songs about snow, broken love or learning to live. Human imperfection and the beauty in our environment are themes I want to express in Bound, and the particular songs I listen to for inspiration help me write about these complex issues. Different songs inspire Meimi and I which is a good thing, as we both feel different things about the title and the characters so it is only natural we have varying music tastes. I don't think a particular genre of music inspires me, more particular songs with themes I see are also in Bound. And songs about snow - they always help me think (*lol*).
Q. What inspired the idea of using a mirror to switch Rekka to Toshi?
M: No idea. But Toshi and Rekka do reflect each other in more than one sense, so it was a really clever plan...
S: A magical girl has to have a magical transformation item and I thought a mirror went well with the general "theme" of Bound - two bodies as one, different reflections - not to mention Toshi's name is a terrible pun on "mirror image" (*lol*)...
Q. The Council Members are very mysterious and somewhat suspicious characters. However, certain personalities are starting to emerge in chapter 2. Are the readers going to eventually find out "the story" behind them?
M: Lots of backstory. Yes. For now, though, it's mostly about going around chapter by chapter and introducing everyone in turn to let their personalities show. They're a very mysterious group. Running the world is a tough job, and they kind of run it like politicians. Magical politicians. At least, I like to think of them that way. And so there's backstabbing and betrayal and manipulation. And the scandalous relationships too, of course. It's great to see such cute Council members though, isn't it? Councils in manga and anime are always boring old people nobody can ever bring themselves to care about...
S: Yes, definitely. We are aiming to explore their complex relationships, powerplays and dark histories sometime down the track. Their actual roles (Such as "God of Fire" or "Goddess of Love") will be revealed soon and by chapter 5 or 6 a couple of them will have pretty fleshed out personalities. There will always be an air of mystery with them, but they are slowly being allowed to reveal themselves to the readers. It's a slow process, as while they are essential to the main story, they are situated elsewhere so while we want to reveal more about them we need to keep the main story as the focus, as well as allow them to remain somewhat mysterious. Council members #1, #7, #3 & #4 in particular are emerging as being very important cast members - so look for more of them in the future.
Q. Do any of the characters reflect aspects of your own personalites?
M: There are three characters I really relate with. One of them won't be in the series for quite a while (Shiori and I invented her after we started working together, so I had a lot of input which made a lot of my feelings rub off on her), but Rekka and Mai are the two that really...seem like girls. If that makes sense. I mean, especially taking Rekka's situation, she really seems like a real girl. The entire chaos that her life is thrown into - looking at Rekka, it's both the most important thing about her, and the thing that matters the least. Because at the end of the horribly chaotic magical day, she's still just a girl. And yeah, her circumstances are strange, but...she's got problems like everyone else. She can't tell her friends, she can't tell her parents, and she feels terribly unloved. She has moments when she pulls herself together and shows incredible strength, but she also has those horrible breakdowns. How different is she from the normal teenage girl on an emotional level? Not much. I like that a lot.
I probably like Rekka the most of the main cast. I love her independence (one of my very favorite things in Bound is that it's a most definitely shoujo manga, starring a teenage girl, who has no visible love interest in the beginning. Isn't it amazing, seeing a high school heroine actually stand on her own and think for herself, instead of fussing over what some pretty senpai boy would think?). She can make me smile one moment and break my heart the next. She's driven and determined on the outside, but very fragile on the inside. The most dazzling thing about Toshi and Rekka's "mirror reflection" relationship is the way they are strong and weak in exactly different ways. Rekka has a family that she is constantly reaching out to. She feels neglected by her family, and she is very much alone. Toshi's only real relationship set when the story begins is with Mamoru - he constantly tries to reach out to her, but she shoves him away. She is isolated and alone like Rekka is, but more by her own choice. They're perfect foils for one another.
Of all the cast though, I'm probably the most like Mai. She and I think alike. Scarily alike. She has...I don't know how to express it. A kind of selfish kindness, maybe. It reminds me of myself a great deal. It's not a good kind of likeness, but when Shiori told me about what she had planned for Mai, I just shivered with how similar we were. Family, personality, those secret thoughts that lurk beneath the surface...everything about her is very, very close to me.
S: Well, sort of, I suppose. No one character reflects me but some elements of cast members draw slight inspiration from some aspects of my personality. People who know me well also know that I have an obsession with crime fiction, so they often jump to the conclusion that Rekka is based on me. I maintain that she isn't based on me (the crime solving thing was introduced because I wanted her to try to impress her parents at every chance she could, desperate for some attention and because her parents are police officers... it seemed natural to make her an aspiring Sherlock Holmes!) though I created her to sort of reflect how I feel sometimes. She is every teenager in a way - she wants to impress people, but doesn't want to show off. She wants to be everything but feels that she is worthy of nothing. She wears a mask when she attends school, pretending to be a happy and quriky person but at home she's just a normal, lonely young woman who wants to fit in but still wants to be unique. I think a lot of people can relate to feeling like that as a teenager and therefore see part of themselves in Rekka, part of the way they felt as young women/men - torn between being two different versions of themselves.
If any character drew a few elements from my own personality I'd say it would be Toshi. A woman who is loud, selfish and rather arrogant in the way she presents herself to everyone. But underneath she is as confused and as lonely as Rekka. She was forced to grow up a lot faster than most people (she died when she was only 19, so she trained and fought for most of her youth) and take on a mature role before she was really ready. That, in a way, reflects the way I grew up - forced to travel constantly, to adapt to rather complex situations. Toshi (though it has yet to be mentioned in the manga itself - SPOILER!) grew up without a father, her only male influence was Mamoru. My father vanished when I was very young and I only got to know him properly as a teenager. Toshi was forced to take on extra responsibility as she had no male in her life to really help her, (which explains why she's rather unladylike and brash) a reflection of how I can be at times. I didn't purposely create Toshi as a reflection of my own personality, she sort of just evolved that way - her reactions to things being similar to my own, though in different situations.
The other characters weren't based on my own personality, and they didn't really draw influence from other people. They evolved by themselves into what they are now, and I'm proud of that.
Q. What kind of responses have you received since Bound first came out?
M: Very nice comments. Mamoru seems to be wildly popular. People have been great about pointing out the faults and strengths of the art, too, which makes me happy! I love it when people point out my mistakes, it shows that they're really looking and they care enough to tell me how to make it better. I'm completely addicted to feedback, too...I check referrers and guestbook entries at least three times a day, just to make sure I don't miss anything. And we even have some fanart now, the concept of which completely blows me away.
S: We've had quite a few encouraging emails and guestbook entries. We're always happy to hear from visitors and have Bound reviewed. In fact hearing feedback is one of the best things about having an online manga - hearing what other people think of the acts help us to shape future acts. Basically, the responses so far have been quite positive and I hope we can continue to please the title's readers in the future.
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