Author's Note ★ Steel Ball Run

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Steel Ball Run
ArakiLogo.png

In every volume of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the front folded flap of the dust jacket usually contains a picture of Hirohiko Araki himself, and more than often a quotation. The quotes featured below the picture are always different from each other, and are usually about Araki expressing his opinion on certain subjects. These subjects can be about anything, including information about characters or the story itself. The notes below are from Steel Ball Run.

Comments

Note that, since Ultra Jump lacked author comments until the January 2009 issue, there are no accompanying monthly comments for each chapter from the switch to Ultra Jump up to that point.

1-1011-2369-8081-9091-95
Chapter Translation Original

SBR Chapter 1 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has entered a parallel world. And since it's not really JoJo anymore, it's Steel Ball Run. ジョジョの奇妙な冒険P(パラレル)ワールドに突入した。そしてジョジョでなくなったっていう事でSBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)

SBR Chapter 2 My goal for 2004 is to start playing golf. I've never played a round of golf in my life. 2004年の目標はゴルフを始める事。やった事一ぺンもないから。

SBR Chapter 3 I went to Kyoto for the first time in my life. On the way, I saw Mount Fuji from the bullet train. 生まれて初めて京都に行き、途中新幹線の車内から、生まれて初めて富士山を見た。

SBR Chapter 4 The most delicious food I had during my research trip to the southwestern United States was from a Burger King. アメリカ南西部取材旅行で一番おいしかった食べ物は「バーガー・キング」だな。

SBR Chapter 5
SBR Chapter 6
My editor has switched from Mr. Shima the 8th to Ms. Keiko the 9th. You have my gratitude, Mr. Shima. 編集担当が、8代目嶋さんから9代目瓶子さんに変わりました。嶋さん感謝。

SBR Extra Chapter 1 I'm looking forward to reading Aomaru Jump, a magazine that focuses on artists who draw unique works. 「青マルジャンプ」は変わった作品を描く作家さん中心の雑誌だそうで楽しみです。

SBR Chapter 7 Some of the CDs I've been listening to a lot lately are Norah Jones's new album and the soundtrack to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. 最近よく聴いてるCDはノラ・ジョーンズの新譜と「続・夕日のガンマン」のサントラ

SBR Chapter 8 For some reason, looking at catalogs makes me feel a sense of calm. The ones I've been looking at lately contain pictures of the interiors of boutiques. カタログ本を見てると、なぜか心が落ち着く。近頃見てるのはブティクのI(インテリア)だけの写真が載った本

SBR Chapter 9 Cooking, more specifically spaghetti carbonara, is actually very complicated. If you don't do it quickly, the eggs tend to clump together. 料理。スパゲティーカルボナーラ。奥が深い。スゲッ手早くやらないと卵がかたまっちまうんだよね

SBR Chapter 10 'The Lives of Eccentrics will be released as a volume on Friday, March 19th. These short story collections only happen once a decade, and this will be my third one. 「変人偏屈列伝」が単行本で3月19日(金)発売。10年に1回しか出ない3冊目の短編集。

Chapter Translation Original

SBR Chapter 11 Steel Ball Run will be a 31-page serialization. But that means I'll have to take a break every ten weeks or so, so please be patient with me. The race's second stage will resume around June or so. SBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)は31P連載です。が、10週位ごとに休むことになりますのでよろしく。2S(セカンドステージ)再開は6月頃。

SBR Chapter 12 This year, I've met with several manga artists. Privately, I mean, not for business reasons. I've met eleven so far. 今年はよく漫画家に会う年だ。仕事ではなく、プライベートで。11人に会った。

SBR Chapter 13 Are Finnish people really a nation of Xylitol gum chewers? フィンランドの人たちって本当にキシリトールガムばっか噛んでる国民なの?

SBR Chapter 14 It's an annual complaint, but during the rainy season, my manuscript paper gets damp, which makes it hard to move the pen across it. 毎年のグチだけど梅雨シーズンは原稿用紙が湿るのでペンが走りにくくて困る。

SBR Chapter 15 I've suddenly developed an allergy to mangoes. They were my favorite fruit, but now I can't eat them anymore. 突然、フルーツのマンゴーのアレルギーになった。大好物なのに食べられなくなった。

SBR Chapter 16 It was George Asakura the manga artist's birthday, so I sent her some flowers. She sent me twice as many in return. Oh, dear... 漫画家ジョージ朝倉(あさくら)が誕生日だったので花を贈ったら、倍のお返しが来た。やばいよ。

SBR Chapter 17 I was given a bottle of very expensive wine, but when I took it with me for use on a trip, it ended up breaking open. 超高級ワインもらったんで、旅行先で飲もうと持ってったら、痛んでしまった。

SBR Chapter 18 The mail and home delivery services in my neighborhood know when I'm asleep, so they never bring me anything in the morning. 近所を配達してる郵便と宅配は寝てるの知ってるので、午前中ぜったい持って来ない。

SBR Chapter 19 It seems to be out of stock at the bookstore, but I'm just too embarrassed to ask if they have a book titled The Legendary Guts. 本屋で品切れらしいんだけど「ガッツ伝説って本ありますか?」って恥ずかしくて聞けない。

SBR Chapter 20 We had a cockroach infestation at work. I used half a bottle of pesticide to get rid of them, but I've been afraid that they'll come back ever since. 仕事場にゴキブリが出た。殺虫剤半分使って始末したんだが、そっからが恐い。復活しそうで。

SBR Chapter 21 I'm not a mecha fan, per se, but Thunderbirds is an exception. I have all five volumes. メカって、そんな好きじゃあないんだけど「サンダーバード」は別。1〜5号全部集める。

SBR Chapter 22 Volumes 3 and 4 of Steel Ball Run will release at the same time on Thursday, November 4th. Thank you for your support! JC(コミックス)「スティール・ボール・ラン」③と④が11月4日(木)同時発売になるので、よろしく。

SBR Chapter 23 My latest challenge has been trying to find a good walking route. It's hard to find one that isn't full of stressful things like traffic. 最近の課題はよい散歩コースを探すこと、車の通行などストレスのないコースはなかなかない。

Chapter Translation Original

SBR Chapter 69 It's been quite awhile since I've made a comment like this, and I'm really nervous. Ultra Jump, please continue to support me! コメント、本当久しぶりでマジ緊張します。UJ、これからもよろしく。

SBR Chapter 70 This year, I got to meet Mikiya Mochizuki and Kishin Shinoyama. I hope I age nearly as well as they have. 今年に入り望月三起也先生、篠山紀信先生と会えた。あんな風に年をとりたいです。

SBR Chapter 71 I went to Kyoto. I thought I saw a maiko, but a local told me they were a faker. 京都へ行った。「舞妓さんだッ」って言ったら、「あれパチもん(にせ者)や」って地元の人に言われた。

SBR Chapter 72 I went cherry blossom viewing three times this spring. It's the perfect season to enjoy the beauty of nature to its fullest. 今春は、花見を3回しました。「花鳥風月」全部しみじみ楽しめる良い季節ですなあ。

SBR Chapter 73 I bought an eighty-thousand-yen umbrella so I wouldn't forget it anywhere, but the idea was a little naive of me. I lost it anyway. 忘れ物しないようにと8万円もする傘買ったが、甘い考えだった。失くした。

SBR Chapter 74 A friend of mine said they're going to appear on Atsushi Watanabe's Exploration of Architecture. They're married, so I'm almost certain they played guitar on it. 友人が渡辺篤史さんの「建もの探訪」に出演だって。きっと夫婦でギター弾かせられたな。

SBR Chapter 75 I'm not particularly a fan of cats, but I do want to meet Wakayama's cat stationmaster. ネコ、あまり好きじゃあないけど、和歌山の「ネコの駅長」。会いたいです。

SBR Chapter 76 Taken[a] was great! I want to thank the people behind that miracle of a stylish and tear-jerking masterpiece. 映画『96時間』良かったです。スタイリッシュで泣けるという奇跡の傑作、ありがとう。

SBR Chapter 77 I'm terrified of cicadas in the summer. Whenever I approach one, asking myself if it's dead, it comes back to life with a screech like a zombie. 夏、蝉が怖くて。「死んでる?」と近づくと『ギ!』ってゾンビみたいに甦るところ。

SBR Chapter 78 I've made a hobby of collecting CD jackets, but a lot of them tend to be sold out. CDの『紙ジャケット』ってのを集めるの趣味にしてるけど、売り切れスゴい多い。

SBR Chapter 79 A very good pizzeria opened in my neighborhood, and I couldn't be happier. It's a great place for meetings, too. 近所にうまいピザ屋が出来て、超幸せです。良い打合わせ場所としても。

SBR Chapter 80 The first thing I did to kick off the new year was play Mario Kart. Although, I'd usually watch a horror movie... 新年一番最初にした事は『マリオカート』でした。普通はホラー映画だけど…。

Chapter Translation Original

SBR Chapter 81 While I was out shopping, I met A-chan from Perfume. What were the odds? Were we destined to meet? (Or was it not her?) 買い物行ったら「Perfume」のあ~ちゃんに会った。どんな確率?運命の人?(違うか?)

SBR Chapter 82 My favorite political character is the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. He looks so happy. 好きな政治家のキャラクターは伊の「ベルルスコーニ」首相。ハッピーそう。

SBR Chapter 83 I went to the new Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum. It's a replica of a red-brick building from the Meiji era. It's amazing! 新しい『三菱一号美術館』に行きました。赤レンガの明治の建物復刻。凄ッ!

SBR Chapter 84 The CD of Jeff Beck's new album is really good. It's rock that feels like a prayer. CD。「ジェフ・ベック」のニューアルバム、超良いです。確かで祈りのようなロック。

SBR Chapter 85 Recently, I've been really into both art exhibitions and zombie movies. I just want to lose myself in both of them. 最近本当、「絵画展」と「ゾンビ映画」を観てます。どちらもずっと浸っていたい。

SBR Chapter 86 It's been a series of disasters lately at Lucky Land. There's a leak upstairs, and water's pouring down on the workplace. 最近、ラッキー・ランド災難続き。上の階で漏水。仕事場に水が降って来た。

SBR Chapter 87 I visited Tetsuya Chiba's house. It felt like a building of historical significance, given the masterpieces that were born within. ちばてつや先生宅へ。まさに、あの名作たちが生まれた歴史的建造物だと思いました。

SBR Chapter 88 The word I've used most this summer is "hot." How often, you ask? It might actually be several dozen times a day at this point. 今年の夏、一番多く使った「ワード」は「暑い」ですね。一日何回?まさか何十回かも。

SBR Chapter 89 Mikoshi shrines feel so lively, don't they? I got to shoulder one again this autumn. 『お神輿』って元気もらえますね。この秋も担がせていただきました。

SBR Chapter 90 When I got the flu shot, I was told it wouldn't hurt, but it did. I cried. インフルエンザの予防接種、「痛くない」と言ってたのに痛かった。泣いた。

Chapter Translation Original

SBR Chapter 91 I'm hooked on the Twilight series. I want to suck blood, but I can't. 映画『トワイライト』シリーズにハマりました。血吸いたいのに吸えないね。

SBR Chapter 92 Happy new year! Please continue to support JoJo in the new year. 謹賀新年。今年も『ジョジョ』をよろしくね。

SBR Chapter 93 I've been to New York. I respect Johnny for not dying from the cold. NYへ行って来ました。死ぬかって寒さで「ジョニィ」は偉いなと思いました。

SBR Chapter 94 My heartfelt condolences go out to those in the affected areas, including my hometown of Sendai. 地元・仙台をはじめ、全ての被災地の方々に心よりお見舞い申し上げます。

SBR Chapter 95 I'm grateful beyond measure from the bottom of my heart for the completion of Steel Ball Run. I'll see you all in Part 8: JoJolion. 「SBR」心より完結大感謝。第8部『ジョジョリオン』でお会い致しましょう。

SBR Volume 1

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR1.jpg
TranslationTranscript
In substance, I'm drawing Steel Ball Run as Part 7 of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure saga. However, for the readers who might begin with this volume, I prefer not to insist too much on that affiliation. On the other hand, completely burying one's past work in order to create a brand new one is, in my opinion, a bad habit for any manga author. It's important to find a theme which carries on from the past. (To be continued in SBR Volume 2.)
このSBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)は、実質的に『ジョジョの奇妙な冒険』PART 7として描かれているものですが、初めてここから読み始める読者の為に、あえてそのことを強調したくないと考えました。
しかし、一方で、漫画家の創作に対する姿勢の問題として、過去の作品を完全に葬り去ってまったく新しい作品を描こうというのは、良くない態度だとも思ったのです。作品のテーマというのは、過去から連続していなくてはならないのです。
SBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)2巻に続く)

SBR Volume 2

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR2.jpg
TranslationTranscript
Since seasons pass and man evolves during his life, I think it's important to build what I call the theme of one's work by basing it on the foundations of their previous works, and that wanting to cut oneself one from that past is a mistake we shouldn't make. Thus, in Steel Ball Run, you will meet characters whose names are similar to some of the characters in the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure saga. You can see them as their ancestors, or as their incarnations in a parallel world.
However, the theme remains the same: a hymn to humanity. What will happen to these people plunged into the strange race of life?
季節がうつり変わるように、あるいは人が人生を歩むように、作品のテーマというものも過去からの延長線上になければと思うのです。断ち切ることは、してはいけないと考えます。
SBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)には「ジョジョの奇妙な冒険」に登場したキャラクターに似た名前の人物が出て来ますが、彼らの先祖と考えるかあるいは、パラレル・ワールドと考えてください。
テーマは同じ人間讃歌。人生という奇妙なレースを登場人物たちはどう突き進むのか!?

SBR Volume 3

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR3.jpg
TranslationTranscript
One of the things I've found amazing lately is a ball that is used for exercise. It's about 70 to 80 centimeters in diameter, filled with air, and made of scientific resin. By just sitting on it and jumping around, you can strengthen your abdominal muscles and remove strain on your spine and pelvis. I couldn't understand the principle behind something that moves so simply. I am a skeptic, but when I saw professional athletes using it, I was convinced that it was true. It also makes my internal organs stronger.
最近「球体」関係でスゴイな、と思ったものは、エクササイズとかに使うボールなんだけど、直系70~80センチくらいの中に空気が入って科学樹脂でできてるもので、それにただ座ってボヨンボヨンとジャンプするだけでなんと、腹筋がついて背骨とか骨盤の歪みがとれるっていうのだ。それだけの動きなのにどういう原理でそうなるのか、感覚的に理解できない。疑り深い性格だが、プロスポーツ選手が使っているトコ見て、本当らしいと納得した。内蔵も強くなるんだと。

SBR Volume 4

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR4.png
TranslationTranscript
Something related to the shape of the sphere amazed me... I was watching an Aikido video, and this young man in a traditional dress somehow grabbed the head of a man who was around 60 years old (he looked like a master). The master grunted "Hmph!" and shook his head in a spherical motion. The young man flew approximately 2 meters into the air. It makes you think he just jumped on purpose, since he was thrown so easily. But I don't think it was fake, since the video cost over 10,000 yen. I'd like to be thrown once (onto somewhere soft).
「球体」関係の事でスゴイ、と思った事は、「合気道」のビデオを見ていて、袴姿の若い男が正座している60歳くらいの男(達人らしい)の頭をガシィッと両手で(なぜか)ワシ掴みする。60男は「フン!」と頭を球の動きで首をふる。すると若い袴男は2メートルくらい宙にふっ飛ぶのだ。「ヤラセでワザと飛んだのか?」って思うほど軽々と頭で人を投げ飛ばしたのだ。1万円以上するビデオなのでウソとは思えないし、一度投げ飛ばされてみたい。(柔らかい場所で)

SBR Volume 5

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR5.png
TranslationTranscript
In late 1980, when I had the opportunity to shake Osamu Tezuka's hand, I thought to myself, "Wow, a manga artist's hand is so soft and fluffy!" Later, when I shook the hand of Masutatsu Ōyama, a karate master, I also thought to myself, "Whoa! So he actually smashes bottles and stuff with these soft hands..." And so I decided that all experts must have soft hands. Nobody has ever told me that I have soft hands, but I'm sure that Gyro's hands are very soft and fluffy.
1980年の暮れに、手塚治虫先生に握手していただいた時、「うわっ、漫画家の『手』ってすごく柔らかくてフワフワだぁ。」と思った。また空手の大山倍達先生と握手させてもらった時も「ゲッこんなフワフワの手でビンとか砕くのかぁ」とも思った。そしてつまり「達人」ていうのは、柔らかい手をしていなければならないんだなぁと決めつけた。ぼくはあんまり「柔らかいっスねえ!」って言われた事ないんだけどきっとジャイロの手はフワフワだな。

SBR Volume 6

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR6.png
TranslationTranscript
The question usually comes from women for me, but have you ever been told that you looked like someone else? People used to tell me I looked like an actor in Stargate named James Spader. But lately, I've been told that I resemble Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa or the cover of Prince's album 1999. I've also been told I look like Jackie Chan, Masakazu Tamura, a dog, a horse, a cloud, a car, the vampire Rock from Osamu Tezuka's work... All of these are questionable.
よく女性とかに言われる事が多いんだけれど、「誰それに顔似てるよね?」とか言われたりしないでしょうか? ぼくは昔よく「ジェームス・スペーダー」という「スターゲイト」とかに出ていた俳優に似ていると言われました。最近ではダ・ヴィンチの「モナリザ」とか言われたし、プリンスの「1999のジャケット」に似てるとかも言われました。その他言われた事のあるもの「ジャッキー・チェン」、「田村正和」、「犬」、「馬」、「雲」、「自動車」、手塚治虫のヴァンパイアの「ロック」など。全部「?」です。

SBR Volume 7

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR7.png
TranslationTranscript
I've realized that I've reached my mid-40s. If I'm to live to the age of 70 or 80, then I've already passed the halfway point. This is a bit of a difficult topic to write about, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm alright the way I am. Am I walking the right path? One needs satisfaction on that front, and both Gyro and Johnny are seeking that satisfaction in this race. That is the theme of this manga. (To be continued in Volume 8.)
わたし(飛呂彦)も気付いたら40代半ばになってしまっていて、仮に人生70歳とか80歳まで生きるとしたなら、とっくに折り返し地点を過ぎてしまった事になる。で、ちょっとこムズかしい事を書くけど、最近良く考えるのは、自分はこんなんでいいのか? という事だ。自分は「正しい道」を歩いて来ているのだろうか?
「納得」する事が必要で、ジャイロもジョニィも「納得」する為にこのレースに出ているわけで、それがこのマンガのテーマってわけで……。(8巻に続く)

SBR Volume 8

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR8.png
TranslationTranscript
Sometimes I wonder what the right path even is. I wonder what would happen if I were to go down the wrong path, in pursuit of love or justice. What are the right and wrong paths, and how are we supposed to distinguish between the two? Will anyone ever tell us? If we hurt the ones we love because we love them, how can we escape it? Gyro and Johnny, as well as everyone else involved in the race, are in that situation. Can they do anything other than pray?
「正しい道」とはなんだろうと思う。
愛とか正義を願う気持ちを持つあまり、間違った道に迷い込んだらどうしようと思う。
それが正しいのか誤った道なのか、どうやって「2つ」を見分ければ良いのか? 誰か教えてくれるというのか? 愛する気持ちゆえに愛する者を傷つけてしまったら、どうやってそこを抜け出せば良いのか? ジャイロとジョニィも、レースに関わる者は全員、その状況下にある。

「祈り」しか方法はないのか?

SBR Volume 9

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR9.png
TranslationTranscript
Movies that I've seen recently and thought were fantastic were works by Micheal Mann (like The Insider and Collateral), the Jason Bourne series, and the TV series 24. The main characters in these works all have a sense of professionalism, and they act without hesitation: it's as if their determination transcends notions of good and evil. I can sense a deeper sense of humanity through these characters. When I place myself in these characters' shoes, I can feel myself tearing up. All of these works are supposed to be cool, but I am passionately moved by them. My favorite is Heat.
この数年で最高だと思う映画は、マイケル・マン監督の一連の作品(「インサイダー」とか「コラテラル」)と、ジェイソン・ボーンシリーズ、そしてTVの「24(トウェンティ フォー)」だ。主人公たちが全員プロフェッショナルで、躊躇なく行動する点、その意思には迷いがなく、「善」だとか「悪」だとかの区別を超越している。そこには人間存在の深い何かを感じる。主人公たちの思いを考えると涙が出て来て、超クールな作品なのに熱く感動する。BEST1は「ヒート」。

SBR Volume 10

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR10.png
TranslationTranscript
It's something that was given to me, but I have a swimsuit calendar hanging on the wall of my workplace. In other words, I have 12 pictures of girls in bathing suits in my office. Nothing too naughty. Every time the month changes, I have to flip the page to the next girl, and that somehow makes me feel incredibly melancholy. I feel like I'm saying, "Goodbye, September girl. I'll never see you again..." And then when I flip the page, I end up betraying her already and thinking, "October's not bad either!" What I'm trying to say is that a year goes by really quickly.
たまたま貰ったんだけど、仕事場に水着ガールのカレンダーが飾ってあるのね。つまり12枚の女の子の写真があるのよ。イヤらしくないやつよ。月が変わる度に一枚めくるでしょ。これがさぁ、その時、何かもの悲しい気持ちになるのよ。
「さよなら、9月の女の子。もう会えないんだね。」とか思ってしまうのよ。
『ベリッ!』(カレンダーを破く音)で、「10月もいいねぇ!」とかすぐに裏切って思って。
……で何が言いたいのかというと、「一年は早いな」という一言よン。

SBR Volume 11

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR11.png
TranslationTranscript
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about numbers. Take money, for example. Everyone thinks it's better to have a lot than a little, but it seems like once someone gets too much of it, they become burdened with it. This also applies to that wonderful, beneficial invention of cars: too many of them, and they become an inconvenience. They're bad for the atmosphere, too. And though I believe every human life is important beyond measure, if a country with more than ten billion people were to come into being... Hmm, that's a scary thought.
最近良く考える事は「数字」について。たとえば「お金の数字」。少ないよりは多い方がいいと誰もが思っているけど、ある数を越えて多過ぎると、なんか不幸をしょい込む雰囲気がするし、万人が恩恵を受けてる発明の「自動車」も、数が増え過ぎると逆に不便だし、気象にまで影響が出てきている。
そして生命もひとりひとりはとても大切なものだが、これがもし「人口100億人の国」がこの地球上に出来上がったら。う~む、相当恐い。

SBR Volume 12

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR12.png
TranslationTranscript
I have times I like to call angry seasons, when I strangely begin to get aggravated by the world's rules and regulations. On the other hand, once those phases pass, I start to think that the same things I was irritated by are now great!

Recently, two horror movies called The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and The Texas Chain Killer: Beginning came out, and I mistakenly bought the wrong DVD. Hey! But once my angry season passes, I'll probably think that it was great that I bought two interesting-looking horror movies.

(Note: The Texas Chain Killer: Beginning is called Hoboken Hollow in America.)
自分の中に「怒の季節」というのがあって、なんか妙に世の中の規則とかに怒りがわいてくる時期がある。その季節を過ぎると逆に「イイんじゃあないのォ♪」とか同じ事に対して思ったりする。最近ではDVDで、「T(テキサス)・チェンソー・B(ビギニング)」というタイトルと「T(テキサス)・チェンキラー・B(ビギニング)」というホラー映画が同時に出て、間違って買ってしまった。(オイッ!)
これが「怒の季節」をはずれていると、オモシロソーなホラーが2本出てとてもウレしい!になる。

SBR Volume 13

SBR Volume 14

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR14.png
TranslationTranscript
I often see the phrase "horse and man as one" in racing magazines or in historical novels, and it supposedly means that the rider can synchronize his or her movements with their horse, so that they're almost one entity. When I draw Gyro and the others on their horses, I feel like I understand a bit of what that phrase means, though I don't ride horses myself. I can't tell you specifically which ones they are, but when I get a racing panel to look just right, the figures seem to fit well with one another. Humans and horses must be biologically suited for one another (whatever that means).
「人馬一体」って言葉が歴史小説とか、競馬の雑誌で見かけたりするけど、乗り手の馬の動きとまるで同化するようになじんで走れる事をいうのだそうだ。
馬に乗ってるジャイロ達を描いてる時、なんかその事が、ぼくは馬には乗らないんだけど少しわかる気がする。
どの絵とは具体的には言えないけど、バシッと決まったように描けた気がする時があって、馬に乗った人間が絵画的になじんで気持ち良いのよ。きっと人と馬は生物学的(?)に相性がいいんだと思う。

SBR Volume 15

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR15.png
TranslationTranscript
I've recently found out that people are somehow intimidated by me-- people I've met for the first time during interviews often say, "Man, I was so nervous the whole time!" That worries me. Apparently, people perceive me as similar to a character that I made in the past, Rohan Kishibe, and that's why they get so nervous. I'm not like him. I'm the type of person that'll drink their tea even when eraser bits or drops of ink get into it.
I really want people to say, "Man, Araki makes me feel so relaxed." I guess I need to work on myself more.
なんかどうも、人様に怖がられているみたいで、インタビューとかで初めてお会いした方々に「ああ、緊張しました」とよく言われる。それがかなり悩みだ。かつて描いた「岸辺露伴」というキャラと僕がダブってるイメージみたいで、何か身構えられる。僕は違います。
仕事中、インクやケシゴムのカスがお茶の中に入っても「まぁ、いいや飲んじゃえ」っていう性格(体質?)です。
本当に「荒木に会うと癒されるなぁ」って言われたい。心の修行が必要っぽい。

SBR Volume 16

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR16.png
TranslationTranscript
I love horror movies more than eating a good three meals a day. The cheaper and more B-tier they are, the more I love them. I watch these movies with the utmost respect for them, and their cinematic vision somehow gives me a sense of ease. However, there are some elements of horror movies that I can never agree with:
  1. Whenever one of the characters try to call someone on their cell phone, they either have no service or the battery is dead.
  2. Even though a character only has a limited number of bullets, they get trigger-happy during the worst times and then run out of bullets when they need them most.
  3. When the camera slowly zooms in on a character's back, but no one's there when they turn around. What's the point of using that camera technique if no one is there?! I... I can't forgive that. I want them to go and stand under a waterfall.
ホラー映画が3度の飯より大好きで。B級、チープなほど大好きで、敬意を表して観るし、世界観は心が落ち着く。
だが、ホラー演出的にどうしても許せない事がいくつかある。(その①)携帯かけようとしたら圏外。もしくはバッテリー切れ。(その②)弾丸が少ないっつーのに、やたら撃ちまくりやがって、肝心な時に弾丸切れ。(その③)主人公の背後へカメラがゆっくり寄って行って、主人公がふり返ると誰もいない。なにもいないならそーゆーカメラやるなぁー。ゆ、許せん。滝に打たれて出直して来い。

SBR Volume 17

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR17.png
TranslationTranscript
Do you know a song called "Tsuki no Sabaku" (The Desert Moon)? When I was a kid, one of my friends used to listen to me singing it with a tear in his eyes. At the time, his sensibility stupefied me, but I realize that I am highly sensitive too. I'm sensitive not to a song but a certain type of background: a curved and sloping street with a wire fence on the side, like what can be found near schools. Whenever I see such a street, be it in Japan or elsewhere, a wave of nostalgia takes me and a tear appears in my eye... I don't even know why. Regardless, I'm always bawling when I take pictures of these streets.
『月の砂漠を♪』って歌あるじゃないですか。子供の頃、僕が歌うのを涙を流して聴いてくれる友人がいて、そいつの事、どういう感覚なんだ?って思ってたんだけど、歌じゃあないけど自分にもあった。それは風景なんだけど、カーブしている坂道でそこに『バックネットがある坂道…例えば学校とか』ヤバイ。
国内でも海外でも、その条件に坂道に出くわすと、ノスタルジィーっていうのか、涙が出て泣いてしまう。理由はわからないけど、とにかく泣きながら写メる。

SBR Volume 18

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR18.png
TranslationTranscript
As I've been writing Steel Ball Run, I'm beginning to notice a common thread between the characters: namely, that they want to go home. Or rather, they're looking for places to go home to and meanings for their going home. That even applies to Gyro, who has a hometown to go back to. So far, the only one among all the characters who was able to find that was Mountain Tim. Even as the author behind Steel Ball Run, it feels really harsh, and sometimes I just want to leave this race and go home. But I can't go home yet. Not until I can find meanings for the characters' going home.
この『SBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)』を描いていて、登場人物達の共通点が見えはじめていますが、それは全員家に帰りたがっています。というか帰る場所と帰る意味を探しています。それは故郷のあるジャイロでさえ。登場人物の中でそれを探せたのは、今のところ「マウンテン・ティム」だけ。
SBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)』を描いてる作者自身も執筆していて何が過酷かというと、本当にこのレースから家に帰りたい。でもまだ帰れません。キャラクターたちが故郷に帰る意味を探せるまでは。

SBR Volume 19

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR19.png
TranslationTranscript
Here's a warning for young people: you shouldn't try to imitate tree climbers, and even more importantly, you should never do what you are told not to do. If you climb a tree in Tokyo, you'll undoubtedly be questioned by the police, and you'll look foolish if you find yourself unable to climb back down. People will suspect that you'll hurt your hip, scrape yourself, die, or simply go insane. You'll have to travel to the countryside to find trees to climb, but it's good to practice becoming one with nature regardless.
若い人に忠告します。『木登り』のマネは絶対にしてはいけないし、やるなという事をするのはもっといけません。もし東京都内で木になんか登ったら、職質されること間違いなしだし、登るのはいいけど今度は降りれなくなったりして、バカには登れません。股関節傷めたり、すりムイたり、死んだり、だいたい人格疑われるので、登ったら軽く見下されます。登れる木を求めて地方まで旅に出なくちゃいけないし、でも、自然と一体になるという深い哲学が体で学べて良いのよ。

SBR Volume 20

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR20.png
TranslationTranscript
I'm afraid of false eyelashes falling in my house... Great long ones fall off in hallways and in the bathroom. When there's bad lighting, they really freak me out. I imagine they might be moving. Talk about horror! (I can't say whose specifically, but) when I picked some up and threw them in the garbage, their owner said "Why are you throwing those away? I'm still using them!" Then they picked the things up and put them on a shelf. I was really indignant, but even more terrified.
家の中に『ツケマツ毛』が落ちてて怖いんですけど………。長くてりっぱなヤツが廊下とか、洗面所に落ちてて、照明が薄暗いとメチャビックリするんですけど。もしかして動くんじゃあないかと想像して、まじ「ホラー」。

(誰、とは名前特定できないんですが)つまんでゴミ箱に捨てると「なんで捨てるのよッ。まだ使うのに!」と、落とした事を棚に上げて本当に激怒されるのが、さらにもっと怖いんですけど。

SBR Volume 21

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR21.png
TranslationTranscript
This is an actual conversation I had:
"Huh? Don't you know Wakeru-kun?"
"No. I'm afraid I don't."
"Really? He's Wakeru-kun. Wakeru-kun!"
"Really, who is he?"
"Do you really not know him? Wakeru-kun, the guy with parted hair. He's incredibly popular. Sensei, you're from Sendai, aren't you?"
"Huh? Yes, I am from Sendai, but... Is he the city's mascot character, like Shiga's Hikonyan or Nara's Sento-kun?"
"That's the best reaction I've seen since I started working here! Sensei, you really don't know him despite being a manga artist? Wahahaha!"
"How would I know...?"
(The end. Was that good?)
実際にあった会話。―――
「え?『ワケルくん』御存知ないですか?」…「?いえ。知らないですけど」
「本当ですか? ワケルくんですよ。ワケルくん!」
「なんでしょう? それ」
「本当、ご存知ないですか? 分け目のついてるワケルくん。ものすごい人気なんですよ。先生は仙台出身でしたよね?」
「えー。はい。仙台ですけど……もしかして、滋賀の“ひこにゃん”とか奈良の“せんとくん”みたいなゆるキャラの事ですか?」
「わたし、この部署について以来の大反響なんですよ! 先生、プロの漫画家なのに、ご存知ないとは、ワハハハ」
「知るワケない(・・・・)だろ!」(オチ。ウマイ?)

SBR Volume 22

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR22.png
TranslationTranscript
The work known as drawing pictures is infinite. You can keep drawing on one sheet forever, wondering where the best place to end is. The same goes for a story. For example, if you have the setup of a lover falling to the bottom of a deep hole, but a friend you don't like can take the lover's place and save them if you push them in, what would you do in that situation? Would you push the guy you hate in? I don't think it's the correct action. If you start thinking about it, the infinity of answers begins to disappear.
As a side note, drawings are only completed when your heart wants them to end. That's my personal opinion.
「絵」を描くという作業は『無限』である。どこで終わっていいのか、一枚をずーっと描いてられる。
そして『物語』。仮に「恋人」が穴の底に落ちている設定があって、そこに「嫌いな友人」を身替わりに突き落とすと、その『恋人』は命が助かるという状況があったとしたなら、もし、あなたならどうしますか? 嫌いなヤツを突き落とす? それは「正しい行動」じゃない気がする。考えると『無限』に答えがでなくなってしまう。
ちなみに「絵」は、自分の「心」が終わりとした時が完成。自分勝手だと思う。

SBR Volume 23

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR23.png
TranslationTranscript
Recently, something that has been on my mind is people that put on performances. The ultimate goal of these people is to be the center of attention, so I honestly can't tell what is they're actually trying to do. Those people are abundantly talented, so they try to extend into many different fields and never try to quietly master any one thing. Is it art, or is it politics? Is it a rescue operation or is it business? I feel like they're a particularly extraordinary and uncanny part of society. I can't think of any way to unite those clashing goals.
最近、気になる事は「パフォーマンス」をする人たちの存在。その人たちの目的は『話題の中心になる事』が最大なので、本当にやりたい事の真実がいったい何なのか、わからない。その人たちは才能豊かで色々な分野にまたがろうとして、ひとつのことを黙って極めようとしない。
芸能なのか政治なのか?
救援活動なのかビジネスなのか?
社会にとって非常に不気味な存在だと感じるし、相反する目的がひとつになるとは考えられない。

SBR Volume 24

Link to this sectionAuthor's Note
ArakiSBR24.png
TranslationTranscript
With Volume 24, the Steel Ball Run race is completed. Everyone, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for being such loving readers. Just what was the holy corpse that appeared here? I never explained it thoroughly right up to the end, but I wrote it as a symbol of purity. I think that the sense of purity is extremely important: like the difference between good and evil, virtue, and what should be respected, it can be understood instinctively. You can be sure that the one who obtains the corpse will find happiness.
この24巻で、SBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)レースは完結します。皆様、心よりご愛読惑謝申し上げます。

ここに登場する「聖なる遺体」とはいったい何者だったのでしょうか?
最後までハッキリとは言いきりませんでしたが、「清らか」なものの象徴として書きました。「清らかさ」という感覚はとても大切な感覚だそうで、善悪の区別や、美徳や敬うべきものが、本能的に理解できるそうです。
「遺体」を手にする者は間違いなく「幸せ」になるのでしょう。


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Steel Ball Run

Notes

  1. Taken is titled 96 Hours (96時間) in Japan.

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