Natsuki Takaya interview

Time magazine has an interview with Fruits Basket manga-ka Natsuki Takaya, and it’s clear that she’s not threatened by global manga:

Simply put, I’m glad that manga as an expressive form is expanding. I think that nationality has no relation to that which gives rise to manga. Even among the Japanese, manga creators are making their creations everyday reflecting their own individuality, with none being the same. What is important isn’t the differences between the creators but their love for manga.

On the subject of Fruits Basket, she says

I plan to conclude it within the year. I don’t really think that I’m particularly sad about it drawing to a close. If I don’t follow through with it until the end, my work won’t stand on its own. I always want to be able to draw new projects.

Takaya doesn’t exactly bare her soul in this interview; she’s rather reserved, although she does admit that she loves the TV show CSI and that doing the storyboards is her favorite part of the manga process. And I like this:

Above and beyond drawing my creations, I try to incorporate some kind of message. I try not to end as merely a question but try to provide a conclusion within the work. Furthermore, I try not to supplement this understanding outside of the work. This is because I believe that readers are free to respond to the work in their own way and that this is part of the pleasure.