[Translation] Yagate Kimi ni Naru Vol. 1 Launch Commemoration! Interview with Nakatani-sensei.
Since there doesn’t seem to be any English translation on this article, I decided to take a stab at it. This interview is translated from a translated Chinese version, which sounds kind of… dangerous lol? Therefore, if you find any mistake, please feel free to let me know so I will correct it.
The original article is here.
The Chinese translated version is here.
All images are not done by me! Please give credits to Nakatani-sensei, without sensei none of this would have ever happen.
Small Spoiler Warning Ahead: It seems like @ihoshiku is the only scanlator out there for this series. This interview mentioned a bonus volume which hasn’t been scanlated in English yet. So, you’ve been warned.
(Also, to all the translators/scanlators out there, thank you for all the hard work!)
The monthly publication Dengeki Daioh is now serializing a love story between Koito Yuu, a girl whom never fell in love with anyone, and Nanami Touko, a popular member of the Student Council. Yagate Kimi ni Naru (Eventually I’ll become yours)’s first volume will be launched in store on October 24th! This time, we invited Nakatani Nio-sensei and the editor together to our interview, which we discussed sensei’s view on girl’s love and appeal of this Yuri-filled series Yagate Kimi ni Naru!
Nakatani Nio-sensei’s Yagate Kimi ni Naru first volume launch date October 24th.
· The lack of Yuri awareness
─── What opportunity help created Yagate Kimi ni Naru?
N: I have been drawing stories between girls so the people around me believed that I already am a ‘Yuri manga artist’. Personally, I was hesitant to call my work Yuri because I never intended to narrate a love story. When I finally decided to “draw a full-on Yuri story for once”, the editor came to me, and that was the opportunity.
E: I was shocking the first time hearing [sensei said this]. Even after drawing kiss scenes [between girls], [sensei] still did not aware that is Yuri (laugh).
N: It’s true that you mentioned it… I always like to draw those troublesome and entangled love stories, that’s why it did not matter [to me] whether the content is Yuri or not.
· Enjoy the contrast between Yuu and Touko’s appearance and inner character.
Koito Yuu
A kind and stubborn first year high school student. She found herself connected to Nanami Touko when they met at the Student Council. She is very self-conscious on the fact that she will never understand what it is like to fall for someone. Not sure why Touko became attracted to her. Currently helping the Student Council activity.
─── Main Character Yuu, antenna is the feature.
N: Now that you mentioned it… why did I draw the antenna (laugh)? This is because I want to create a balance between her and Touko, therefore I purposely designed a girl with a cute look. However, deep down her is cool in some aspects. If (readers feel) that I successfully portrayed their contrast, it will make me very happy.
─── That’s true, this character is cute on the outside, but surprisingly calm and cool on the inside.
N: I like this awkward kind of girl. In the beginning, there was no real person whom I can refer to for this character from. However, for the sake of this a love manga, the editor gathered many love stories from people around us. These stories include those who never had a relationship and those who never want one. All these references helped me greatly.
E: During the name stage, we couldn’t capture Yuu’s personality precisely and this made us worried for quite some time. Luckily, we heard from a kid who doesn’t understand what it feels like to ‘like’ someone… Then it hits us “so this kid is Yuu!” Then, upon consent, the kid agreed to let us use her as Yuu’s model. I think majority of people almost always experienced first love. This is also why it’s difficult for readers to understand the feeling of ‘never going to ‘like’ anyone’. Nakatani-sensei beautifully illustrates the feeling through metaphors like ‘sprouting wings’ and ‘feet can’t feel the ground’.
─── Which of Yuu’s scene do you like?
N: In chapter 5, there was a scene where Yuu took Touko outside. I was happy that I could portray Yuu’s caring side. The “Because it feels like you are nervous that’s why… Even though there is no reason to drag you out here. It is a bit embarrassing but what’s done is done!” kind of feeling. I also wish the readers will like this side of Yuu. Her straightforwardness and do-things-without-hesitation.
E: I like the scene when her older sister entered her bedroom and saw the star projection. It naturally depicted how well the sisters get along with each other. We also received letters from readers saying that they like how Yuu add ‘-san’ when calling her sister, which made us believe that their close-knit relationship is portrayed successfully.
Nanami Touko
A popular, honorary student who is also a member of the Student Council. Even though she claimed she never felt anything from a love confession but is now slowly attracted to Yuu and started to go after her persistently
─── What determine Touko’s look?
N: I want to create a character that has a cool, beautiful, and king like appearance. In the initial stage, her hair wasn’t this long, but after a while the hair got longer and she began to look more like a good female protagonist. After she discovered Yuu’s cold inner character, the beautiful Touko turned out to be rather spoiled by it. I am glad a lot of readers enjoy the contrast between the two characters. Please continue to appreciate once you explore beyond just the first impression of them.
─── Which of Touko’s scene do you like?
N: In chapter 3 when their hands are touched, but I can’t say much since it will spoil the story. Not sure if it is cute or lame the fact that Touko can’t control her feelings… Also the composition that shows Yuu’s reaction is also depicted very tastefully.
Saeki Sayaka
Touko’s best friend and always the second place among her year. Even though she view herself having the ‘responsibility for supporting Touko’, deep down she feels very complex towards how close Touko is getting with Yuu.
─── How is Sakaya’s character determined?
N: The fact she is always next to Touko and the vice president position makes her an exceptional student too. I purposely design her to look different when she is next to Touko. Even though they are both high-honor students, Touko is popular and a loveable, whereas Sayaka is hard to approach kind of like a high mountain flower.
─── Will there be a surge/conflict between Sakaya and Touko?
N: That you will have to find out later on (laugh).
· Asking the editor why serialize a Yuri manga on Dengeki Daioh?
─── Yuri manga seems to give a freshness to Dengeki Daioh.
E: I received a lot of the same reaction too. However, since I decided to do it, it is impossible to stop. I already like Yuri work and have been thinking when will I become an editor for it.
N: [The editor] gets exciting when talking about Yuri.
E: (Cough cough)… As soon as Nakatani-sensei agreed to do a Yuri work, in that very instance my head is filled with nothing else but Yuri. I even had the belief that all female in this world must be les while I was learning about the topic.
N: That point I thought this person can’t be cured anymore.
E: I was actually taking a gamble since Dengeki Daioh never had any story that depicts a love story between the two girls. Thankfully the editor-in-chief agreed. I was very glad to be able to work in such an open minded company.
─── What do you think is the appeal of a Yuri manga?
E: It depends on how people define ‘what makes a manga Yuri’. Some people think ‘as long as there is no male character’, or ‘once in love everything changes’, and ‘if there is H then it is not Yuri but GL’. Personally, I simply get exciting over a love story between girls. It is precisely because they are girls and that is what makes it attractive – At least that is what I think.
N: It is hard to define what is Yuri, as long as every reader their own thought on it, it’s good enough. I think ‘once the reader thinks this is Yuri, then at that moment it becomes Yuri’.
─── In a teenage boy mange magazine, there seem to be voices that says “if there is no male character then who should I relate my feeling to?”
E: There is nothing wrong with being a CP. Rather than relating yourself with the characters, being on the audience side and watch their relationship is nice too. I think you will be able to enjoy Yuri manga even better this way.
E: Instead of incorporating your feeling into a character, try and become an audience and enjoy their relationship from the outside. It is alright even if you can’t relate. As long as two people can love each other, and they keep finding each other on a vest grass field, then I rather become a patch of grass on that field… However, our goal is to have you find a character that you like and that makes you want you to observe this character until the very end. For this reason, we need to make the readers favor all kinds of characters.
N: This gives me tons of pressure. When I draw, I always remember to make Touko and Yuu likable for everyone… If everyone feels the same way, I will be very happy.
─── I see. Nakatani-sensei, is there a recent Yuri work that you like?
N: I really like the anime Hibike! Euphonium. It depicted everything I want to do in Yuri. It even made me thought “why am I watching this while drawing Yuri manga at the same time” – complicated feeling (laugh). I was also in a band when I was a student. I played Trombone in middle school and Tuba in high school. The story in the anime echoes part of my memories in the band. On top of that, the Yuri flavor in there just made me love the show even more! The illustration on the instruments is also stunning. There are a lot of details can be discovered only if you ever played the instrument. This anime completely fits my taste. Thank you very much!
· Yuu’s bookstore special is also very luxurious! Yagate-matsuri attack!
─── For example, the melon special is just too amazing.
N: That’s right! Melon special is the bonus booklet which invited Minakata Sunao-sensei (Akuma no Riddle), Canno-sensei (A Kiss and A White Lily), Itou Hachi-sensei (Sayuri-san no Imouto wa Tenshi), and more to help contribute to illustration and manga!
N: The fact that my favorite senseis all gathered together and draw my work made me so happy that I feel I can fly! Things like “so this is how this sensei viewed this kid…” it really gave me some new discoveries. Hopefully everyone can give it a read.
E: In addition, store A also has bonus merchandise related to A kiss and A White Lily and a new short series published by Toranoana. Hopefully everyone can check it out too.
Yagate’s Vol.1 Special Items
E: Also, Dengeki Daioh ‘s official twitter is hosting a lottery even starting October 27th. We will be drawing 5 readers go give out sensei’s signed color illustration. As long as you retweet you will able to participate, make sure you don’t miss the opportunity!
· Touko and Yuu’s increasing contrast is attention grabbing.
─── The end of volume 1 seems to complete a phase for Yuu and Toukko.
N: Now that they finally established the basis of their relationship, something is lurking in the atmosphere in the end (laugh).
E: Next chapter 6 will be publishing the same time when the next issue of Dengeki Daioh is released, which allows readers to immediately continue the story. If you are curious to what happens next please purchase the magazine.
N: In the end, first volume focuses on the relationship between Touko and Yuu. The second volume will focus more on Sayaka, Maki-kun, and even the Akari will get to have more action. Touko, who is in deeply love with Yuu’s contrast temperature will soon accelerate. If it will fit everyone’s taste then I will be very pleased.
─── To wrap up, please say a few words to readers.
N: Even though this love story is a bit awkward, plus the freedom that is given to me upon my first official Yuri series made me a bit nerve wrecking. If more people get to read it, that will be good enough. Of course, besides the dedicated Yuri fans, if you also like reading troublesome love story I think you will enjoy this too. For all those reason, the story will be under your care and thank you very much.
─── Thank you both for agreeing to the interview today.
