Lightasus's Favorite

So it's been a while since I translated Ayano's French interviews. Here's one to help waiting the next release (in 1 week (≧∀≦)). From 2010!

- Hi Ayano Yamane. For starters, how did you become a mangaka?
A: In fact, I started as a doujinshi artist. At the time, I was having fun drawing a BL version of a known manga. A publisher then noticed my work and I became a professional mangaka. But now I create my own characters.

- Who are your reference authors?
A: I have a lot ! (laughs)
They are mainly shonen manga authors like Masami Kurumada and Takehiko Inoue.

- What are your sources of inspiration for drawing your male characters?
A: For the Uke, Akihito, I draw inspiration from characters typically shonen. For the Seme, Asami, it's just my fantasy (laughs).

- What is the ideal man to you?
A: Beautiful, rich, gentleman and kind. Here you go ! (laughs)

- As far as your works are concerned, what are your limitations when it comes to censorship?
A: In Japan, censorship is very harsh. But truth is, I put myself my own limits, especially in certain scenes so that it doesn't go too far, that it doesn't get too raw. I prefer to respect the artistic side. My editors do not forbid me anything actually. It's actually the opposite, they prefer to push the author rather than censure them. (laughs)

- The BL genre has arrived quite recently in France, but has quickly conquered a predominantly female audience. What do you think are the reasons for its success?
A: Initially, it was mysterious to me too. But when I discovered and started reading BL, it didn't displease me. In fact, I think it's the same for all women. Because women love this purely romanticized and romantic side. There are no women and therefore they cannot identify with the characters. They find themselves immersed in a typically masculine world to which they cannot access or participate. And somewhere, there is admiration for this inaccessible world.

- Have you ever fantasized about someone you knew and put them in one of your mangas?
A: No, because that would prevent me from fantasizing. Knowing the person takes away from the dreamy part. So it would cool me off and I would not be interested anymore...

- In the end the secret of BL would be fantasy and its inaccessible aspect?
A: Yes, indeed. The attraction of BL lies in the imagination, what happens in women's heads, the things they imagine about men and what happens between them. This has nothing to do with manga aimed at a gay audience, which are more realistic, where the authors do research in Shinjuku (gay district in Tokyo). In BL everything comes from imagination. Maybe what I write doesn't match with the reality but that isn't the intention to begin with.

- Have you ever considered writing in another genre? Like shojo mangas?
A: In fact, I am a fan of shonen and don't read much shojo. So I could not even if I wanted to.

- Currently, what are you working on?
A: I work on two series at the same time: Crimson Spell and Viewfinder

- And you have many assistants to help you?
A: No, two assistants. The chief assistant and another for the frames. And if necessary, a friend comes and gives a hand. But even with more assistants, I wouldn't go faster. Everything depends on me since I draw all the boards.

- What is your pace of publication?
A: I only do 20 pages a month. For a mangaka, it is really little. Once, I made 40 pages in a month to complete a series but I nearly died, I couldn't take it anymore. (laughs)

- This is the first time you have come to France. Were you able to enjoy it outside of Japan Expo?
A: Yes, I was able to make some visits. As I also draw a fantasy manga, I took the opportunity to document on architecture, especially castles. It was very beautiful, and very different from what I can see in Japan. I have been to the Chateau de Loire and to the Chateau de Versailles. I was in total awe.

- A final word for your French fans?
A: I will try to draw a beautiful love story. Be patients, I'm working for you. Thank you very much.

Hello! This is Yamane Ayano. Thank you very much for purchasing "You're My Secret Promise in Viewfinder". A new volume after two and a half years... did you all enjoy it? This time it took longer than usual to release the volume for the tseries and I apologize for making you all wait. Even though I previously said I would try harder, due to my health problems, I wasn't able to draw much, and ended up causing tremendous problems for the editor and the printing office instead... However, this new release has given me some relief. I was not aware of how poor my drawing skills were until I began doing the revisions, so I redrew quite a few of them, just like I usually do with every volume. Please try not to compare them with my old work in the magazine T.T

This volume doesn't have many love scenes since the story is progressing, and I apologize for that. I have to keep my patience as well when this happens. The cutesy and juicy scenes I wanted to draw were replaced by bloody battles instead. Akihito's weakened spot and Sudou's touchiness irritated me, so I put effort into drawing Akihito's butt crack which can be seen during the catfight (being rubbed) and the gunfight scenes in the latter half of the book. I had spoken to my editor about my desire to draw Akihito and Asami escaping through the secret passage in the apartment after being cornered, and my wish partially came true! My highlight was Kirishima in pajamas... ^^ With the scene where Akihito was hanging from a crane, I felt a little violence fit the situation. The uke hung up like a sandbag... Such manly manliness (I'll shut up now...)

These days, the rules and regulations on explicit artwork has become stricter, so the private regions have been left undrawn... It's really a shame >.< There might be audiences who are okay with censorship of the genitals as long as the two men are in love, but I prefer to have a mind-blowing, vividly rich erotic love scene ^.^... I want Asami and Akihito to keep having a thrilling type of "chase or be chased" relationship, even in bed <3.

15 years have passed by without me realizing it until someone told me, and it's kind of scary if I think about it, but this is a long series that moves at a rather slow pace; however, this is the speed at which I draw, so what I can do is to make sure I work as hard as I can. To those who look forward to my work, I am very sorry. It would be lovely if you could all support Akihito and not let him fall down the rabbit hole, and support Asami, who has enemies who both love and hate him. And the character you have been waiting to see again might appear in the story!

Lastly, for the longtime fans of the Viewfinder series, new readers of the story, the letters, presents, and cheerful tweets: I always get such encouragement from all of you when I need it. This series would not have lasted this long without you. Thank you so much!

The editors and editorial department that work together with my slow drawing hand and who come up with various plans and ideas to make the story more appealing, the god-like skilled artisan who brings the beautiful colors, the printing office and agency that keeps their doors open until the last second, and the book stores - I appreciate all the people involved in publishing. I will try hard to make the future stories more entertaining, so I ask you to continue to support me!

February 29, 2016
Yamane Ayano