[Interview] Japan Expo conference
Jul. 8th, 2009 11:45 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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clampnowbackupTotal-manga.com has a transcript of the CLAMP interview at Japan Expo.
ETA: Link to video
For their twentieth anniversary, the Japanese mangaka group CLAMP were the guests of honor at Japan Expo 2009.
It was necessary then to expect at their conference, taking place on the main stage, that they made a quite a splash.
What moments of your careers have moved you the most?
CLAMP: When we were staring, we went up to Tokyo. But we were only students, and our parents were very worried about us. What touched us very much was when we were published, then they were reassured. It's very moving to see one of your creations on sale for the very first time. Finally, it's truly a joy to come to France together for the first time.
What are your sources of inspiration?
CLAMP: There isn't anything in particular, if it's not only our dreams that sometimes inspire us.
When Mokona was a child, she wasn't very interested in manga, she loved to go to the museum instead.
In fact, we love all art in general.
CLAMP interrupted the interview to make a large drawing especially for Japan Expo. Despite the vibrations emanating from the concert next door, and markers that dried out quickly, they succeeded in making a magnificent illustration of xxxHolic.
Why choose this series?
CLAMP: Because we all work together to design it, and because [xxxHolic] contains many characters from earlier works.
If that was your intention, isn't it complicated reusing characters from other works?
CLAMP: Yes, it's not obvious, that so many of them have a tragic story.
There's also a certain pressure when it's been a while since that character was last drawn, as our style changes little by little.
Regardless, it's always very interesting to make connections with our other manga.
Sakura and Syaoran are among your recurring and most symbolic characters. Many fans wonder why, at the end of Card Captor Sakura, Syaoran leaves for Hong Kong?
CLAMP: You'll have to wait a bit, and you'll know why, perhaps in one of our series to come...
But don't say that on the internet.
The public is shocked at this announcement, but then laugh at the joke.
Then a surprise for CLAMP.
Makino Yui, who sang theme songs [OP/ED's] of Clamp works, and the Japanese voice of Sakura, joins them on the stage.
She is very content, then thanks CLAMP, expecially Mokona who lent her the kimono she is wearing.
Makino Yui, could you say something for us in Sakura's voice?
Makino: What shall I say?
CLAMP: Something that Sakura has never really said yet, something special. "Syaoran, I love you so much!"
Makino: That's embarrassing...
Makino walks to the stage.
Sakura: Syaoran-kun daisuki!!
The crowd is moved, won over, and, after thanking everyone, Makino Yui leaves again.
One last thing, could you show us your projects, current or future?
CLAMP: There's a little, we just did, for the first time, the character for a video game, Tekken 6. What the developers don't know is that the creature on his shoulder breathes champagne. (laughs)
There's an exhibition in Paris of our works, with many originals, from July 3 to September 27. It's called "Clamp, the Queens of Manga", at 22 rue Meller, and we would be very glad if you went there.
Thank you for coming to France! One last word to close?
CLAMP: Thanks to Japan Expo for organizing such an event in Paris, for which our publishing houses/editors allowed us to attend.
We'd like to thank our fans for their great support as well. Your kindness has moved us and we hope to continue making the stories that please you for many years to come.
Also, we were very impressed with the architecture of Paris, and although it is difficult to draw, you will find perhaps very soon, a city that that resembles your capital in one of our series.
Applause as CLAMP leaves.
[Translation by Aurelia]
--------------
There was also an update on the Fanbook email list. Please take a quick look if you are from a Spanish-speaking country.
ETA: Link to video
For their twentieth anniversary, the Japanese mangaka group CLAMP were the guests of honor at Japan Expo 2009.
It was necessary then to expect at their conference, taking place on the main stage, that they made a quite a splash.
What moments of your careers have moved you the most?
CLAMP: When we were staring, we went up to Tokyo. But we were only students, and our parents were very worried about us. What touched us very much was when we were published, then they were reassured. It's very moving to see one of your creations on sale for the very first time. Finally, it's truly a joy to come to France together for the first time.
What are your sources of inspiration?
CLAMP: There isn't anything in particular, if it's not only our dreams that sometimes inspire us.
When Mokona was a child, she wasn't very interested in manga, she loved to go to the museum instead.
In fact, we love all art in general.
CLAMP interrupted the interview to make a large drawing especially for Japan Expo. Despite the vibrations emanating from the concert next door, and markers that dried out quickly, they succeeded in making a magnificent illustration of xxxHolic.
Why choose this series?
CLAMP: Because we all work together to design it, and because [xxxHolic] contains many characters from earlier works.
If that was your intention, isn't it complicated reusing characters from other works?
CLAMP: Yes, it's not obvious, that so many of them have a tragic story.
There's also a certain pressure when it's been a while since that character was last drawn, as our style changes little by little.
Regardless, it's always very interesting to make connections with our other manga.
Sakura and Syaoran are among your recurring and most symbolic characters. Many fans wonder why, at the end of Card Captor Sakura, Syaoran leaves for Hong Kong?
CLAMP: You'll have to wait a bit, and you'll know why, perhaps in one of our series to come...
But don't say that on the internet.
The public is shocked at this announcement, but then laugh at the joke.
Then a surprise for CLAMP.
Makino Yui, who sang theme songs [OP/ED's] of Clamp works, and the Japanese voice of Sakura, joins them on the stage.
She is very content, then thanks CLAMP, expecially Mokona who lent her the kimono she is wearing.
Makino Yui, could you say something for us in Sakura's voice?
Makino: What shall I say?
CLAMP: Something that Sakura has never really said yet, something special. "Syaoran, I love you so much!"
Makino: That's embarrassing...
Makino walks to the stage.
Sakura: Syaoran-kun daisuki!!
The crowd is moved, won over, and, after thanking everyone, Makino Yui leaves again.
One last thing, could you show us your projects, current or future?
CLAMP: There's a little, we just did, for the first time, the character for a video game, Tekken 6. What the developers don't know is that the creature on his shoulder breathes champagne. (laughs)
There's an exhibition in Paris of our works, with many originals, from July 3 to September 27. It's called "Clamp, the Queens of Manga", at 22 rue Meller, and we would be very glad if you went there.
Thank you for coming to France! One last word to close?
CLAMP: Thanks to Japan Expo for organizing such an event in Paris, for which our publishing houses/editors allowed us to attend.
We'd like to thank our fans for their great support as well. Your kindness has moved us and we hope to continue making the stories that please you for many years to come.
Also, we were very impressed with the architecture of Paris, and although it is difficult to draw, you will find perhaps very soon, a city that that resembles your capital in one of our series.
Applause as CLAMP leaves.
[Translation by Aurelia]
--------------
There was also an update on the Fanbook email list. Please take a quick look if you are from a Spanish-speaking country.
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no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 09:54 am (UTC)I can add to the review of Total-Manga.com that the conference began with the "Clamp in Wonderland 2" video, resulting in big applauses when Kamui, Card Captor Sakura and far above all else, Tsubasa RC characters appeared !
no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 01:03 pm (UTC)The version above is the first, and only, which says "in one of our series to come", which very strangely sounds like a "FUTURE series", a very unlikely possibility.
What is your version?
no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 06:25 pm (UTC)And remember, we heard this from a translator on stage, who was repeating Ohkawa-sensei's answer, so maybe the translator mispelt something important :-S.
One thing is clear, I'm really glad about that news and I'm quite surprised it hasn't been a big chillin' annoucement over the CLAMP fansites already ! It was the same back there, real CCS fans were screaming but most of the audience didn't really know what they were talking about, they did even laugh at the guy who asked the question because it was too precise... Tsubasa RC is indeed clearly the most famous manga by CLAMP in France nowadays.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 08:01 pm (UTC)And I was quite surprised too, just like you, that this info did not shake more all the fans out there, online, because in my case my jaw dropped to the ground and I felt like jumping around and screaming, since this was a question which answer I had been waiting for since forever ^^; Because, seriously, in vol12, his face/eyes really looked like he was declaring he was going to wage a war, when he said that he "had to go back to Honk Kong, no matter what"...
That said, I don't think Clamp already had TRC or Holic so clearly in mind when they were working on CCS, I bet they are just conveniently using this somehow 'open' ending of vol12, in which they left out mysterious elements, to add up whatever they want next XD An example would be how they concluded Tokyo Babylon in X, after leaving loose ends in TB...
no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 11:43 am (UTC)really thanks for this :P
no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 12:50 pm (UTC)Thanks for the update! ^^
no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 01:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 04:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 06:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-09 08:23 pm (UTC)Anyway, SxS were used as protagonists twice already, no matter how much they are loved or whatever, Clamp can't really abuse of their popularity anymore then they already did by making up YET another manga about them...not that I would be against it, but there is just so much you can overuse characters to earn money ^^;; *and drive mad the fans...* If we count both CCS and TRC/Holic, we've really been following this couple for 12 years (1996-2009)
no subject
Date: 2009-07-12 12:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-12 05:03 pm (UTC)