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Grand Prize
SHISSOU NIKKI
The Great Escape of the Comic Writer
Story Manga
Artist : ADUMA Hideo
(Japan)
ADUMA Hideo
Born in Hokkaido in 1950. As a Manga artist, he has produced a large body of work, including FUTARI TO GONIN, YAKEKUSO TENSHI, NANAKO SOS. He received the Seiun Award at the 10th Japanese Science Fiction Convention with FUJORI NIKKI in 1979, but in 1989, he suddenly disappeared. SHISSOU NIKKI is the story behind this disappearance; it was awarded the Grand Prize at the 34th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards.
Thank you very much for awarding me this honorable prize; it was totally unexpected and surprising. This story is about my own experiences, there is no lie or exaggeration within it. Looking at it again I am aware what a really miserable story it is, but I cannot help laughing. It pleased me that so many readers have reacted similarly, as I wanted them to laugh as well.
This work belongs to the already quite popular genre of "personal manga". Although much of the work produced for this genre takes the form of "essay manga", this award-winning work has its own style, which is worthy of appreciation. The writer observes his own severe situation from a sober viewpoint but, by excluding his personal feelings and opinions, is able to present it as a comedy. It is a great surprise, and a great pleasure, that this artist, who once quitted manga writing, has come back in this way and is exercising his talent.
How old were you when you "created" something first time in your life? At that time, what did you create, and what kind of medium did you use?
I was sixteen. I drew four-frame manga with pencils.
What kind of tools or medium do you use now? Please tell us the reason why you choose them.
Manga. I found it was the best means for me to express myself.
If you could get "dream tools/medium" for your creation, what do you wish to get?
I am not particular about tools. I believe that the process of improving one's own technique is the most important thing.
Do you have any consistent subject matter or theme through your works? If so, please explain us.
Comedy, Science Fiction, and Women.
Please tell us the most difficult or considerable part when you create your work.
Creating comedy is so hard that I often fall into a depression. I am straining on drawing girls attractive.
Have you ever felt that your work is a "media art"? Also, what is the difference between "media arts" and "traditional fine arts"?
I never think of my works as "media art"; however, manga, as a genre, has been producing excellent art work and will continue to do so in the future. The difference between "media arts" and "fine arts" are already well known, as they have existed from ancient times.
As an artist/creator, please tell us your approach, stance or point of view when you create your work.
I am expressing myself and delivering to the readers laughter, wonder and catharsis.
What is your motto?
"Draw what you like; Manga is graffito"
"To each his own."
What kind of situation in every day life do you get inspired most?
When I am resting, exhausted after having concentrated on thinking about ideas.
What kind of vision do you have in your future development as the creator?
I am going to draw as my heart desires.
Please name of the people, things, or phenomena that you have got most influenced by as the creator.
TEZUKA Osamu
I was influenced by his drawing style and sense of humor.
ISHINOMORI Shotaro
I was influenced by the lyricism in his work.
ITAI Rentaro
I was influenced by the nature of 'the ordinary' in his work.
TSUTSUI Yasutaka
I was influenced by the radicalness of his work.
I was influenced by his drawing style and sense of humor.
ISHINOMORI Shotaro
I was influenced by the lyricism in his work.
ITAI Rentaro
I was influenced by the nature of 'the ordinary' in his work.
TSUTSUI Yasutaka
I was influenced by the radicalness of his work.
