Interview - Makoto Tateno
We would, once again, like to thank June Manga for the chance to interview one of the most well known BL artists in America, Makoto Tateno.
You Debuted in 1986, how has the manga industry changed from when you started? Has it been any different since you got into BL/Yaoi?
Makoto Tateno:When I started, I was doing shojo. I decided to become freelance to do BL, because I enjoy doing BL.
There is so much depth to your stories, All of your characters seem to have a heart and soul of their own. Is there any one of them that you have gotten atttached to? That you feel you relate to the most?
MT:I love all of my characters, but I am probably most attached to Goh. I love him because he's strong, but he's also nice.
Your books show off a love of fantasy, Sci Fi, even Detective stories. What do you watch or read when you have the time?
MT:I read books of knowledge* (*in America- we would kind of call them trivia books, or general knowledge books), television I tend to watch the news, variety shows and dramas.
One of your first BL stories was Kirai Kiraimo, is it your favorite? Do you have a favorite story that you have written?
MT:Kirai Kiraimo is definitely unforgettable. But I can't choose just one favorite of my works, but if I had to choose my favorite story-it would be Yellow.
With all your projects, and your appearances to conventions, do you have any hobbies? Do you get to do them often?
MT:Drinking. I love to drink with my friends.
Having had success in both BL/Yaoi and Other Manga, What would you tell people who wish to become Manga-ka's themselves?
MT:I would tell them to work hard, work hard.
How did you get started, when did you first start creating?
MT:I started drawing when I was in middle school. After middle school, I decided to go pro.
Who were your idols? Who do you look up to or who inspires you?
MT: I don't know if I have any idols, but I love Go Nagai-sensei, and Osamu Tezuka-sensei.
You mention Pets in a few of your books, do you have any? Is there a certain animal you would love?
MT:Yes. A super cute hamster. I love just my hamster.
Do you prefer Happy endings? Or Sad ones?
MT: Happy.
What are your future projects? Is there anyone that you would love to work with? Any story line you want to try?
MT: Right now, I'm working on several projects. For Libre, I'm working on "Muse Gakuen". For Shinshokan, I'm doing a book called "RomeoxRomeo". I'm also working on Blue Sheep Reverie, and the Yellow cell phone stories. I am also working on a cell phone manga for a dutch movie called "Knocking On Heaven's Door" in Japan. If I could collaborate with anyone (pauses, thinks), it would be Go Nagai-sensei. I really love "Cutie Honey". As for a story line, I would like to do a crime story.
What are the tools of your trade? Do you have a favorite type of pencil or Ink?
MT: I use a G-Pen and a Maru-pen* (*sorry, I don't know what this is called in English).
Manga has started to influence the American comic industry more and more, do you feel that any American influences helped sculpt your own work?
MT: Hmm...I would say I'm more influenced by American tv than American comics. I love American dramas like 24, LOST and Prison Break. I'm definitely more influenced by the older generation of manga artists, like Tezuka-sensei and Nagai-sensei.
What do you do to research information to make such detailed stories?
I use the internet and lots of books. I also interview people for stories.
And lastly, if you had one thing to say to your fans. What would it be?
Thank you, and please read my books!