What motivated you to participate in this project?
I accepted the project because I thought it was quite romantic to revive the Fountain Boy, a former symbol of Osaka Station now preserved at the Kyoto Railway Museum, and bring it back to the public eye.
What are your thoughts and design concepts for the "Fountain Boy"?
Well, fountains symbolize water, don't they? Fountains have a long tradition dating back to the Roman Empire. People gather around fountains, experiencing human interaction and a sense of healing--there's a meaningful aspect to it. I think that's why the old Osaka residents designed the Fountain Boy in such a way. The image of Rome in Italy was the first thing that came to mind, along with the circular design representing the water cycle. Rain falls, flows into rivers, goes to the sea, evaporates, and comes back again, circulating in a continuous loop. That's why I chose a circular design.
It seems to have a connection with your work, especially themes like regeneration and revival.
Yes, themes like regeneration and revival are quite nice, aren't they?
How does creating public art for the first time compare to your previous work?
Oh, yes. First of all, I'm very honored to receive a public commission. I usually create work exclusively for manga readers. This project, however, reaches a broader, more public audience, as it will be displayed in a station, a very public space. I considered the wider target audience and the themes accordingly.
What did you focus on when creating art that can be seen by a large, unspecified number of people?
I wanted to create a piece that anyone could look at and immediately recognize as a fountain.
How does this differ from your previous creative activities?
There are differences. The artwork will be significantly enlarged, so I had to consider the balance and proportions carefully.
If you were to set a story in Osaka, what kind of story and characters would you create?
I already have some connection with Osaka, having held the JoJo Exhibition there. I often visit Osaka for its delicious food and travel through it by train when going to Wakayama. As for a Stand, a Stand in Osaka would have to be related to food. There's a character named Tonio Trussardi who deals with food, and I think characters and Stands like that would be great.
A story related to Osaka's gourmet culture?
Yes, a gourmet showdown or a culinary battle would be interesting.
Finally, a message to your fans in Osaka?
When you're passing through or stopping by Osaka Station, please take a moment to glance at the Fountain Boy. Thank you.
[Translated by Vish (JoJo's Bizarre Encyclopedia)[2]]
