In everyvolume of '''JoJo'sBizarreAdventure''', the front folded flap of the dust jacket usuallycontains a picture of [[Hirohiko Araki]] himself, and more than often a quotation.Thequotationsfeaturedbelow the picturearealwaysdifferentfromeachotherandareusually about Araki expressing his opinion on certainsubjects.Thesesubjectscanbeaboutanything,includinginformation about charactersorthestoryitself. Thefollowingquotesandpicturesbelow are from ''[[Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan]]''.
In each ''{{W|tankōbon}}'' of '''''Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan''''', the front flap of the dust jacket typically features a photo of [[Hirohiko Araki]] and, more often than not, a personal note from him to the reader. Referred to as {{Nihongo|'''Author's Comments'''|作者コメント|Sakusha Komento}}, these notes provide Araki with a space to share his thoughts on a variety of topics, ranging from insights into ''TSKR''{{'}}s characters and story to anecdotes about recent events in his life. Shorter versions of Araki's comments appear in the table of contents of each magazine issue that features a chapter of Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan. Below are notes from every [[Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan]] volume and the corresponding magazine issues.
In each tankōbon of Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan, the front flap of the dust jacket typically features a photo of Hirohiko Araki and, more often than not, a personal note from him to the reader. Referred to as Author's Comments (作者コメント, Sakusha Komento), these notes provide Araki with a space to share his thoughts on a variety of topics, ranging from insights into TSKR's characters and story to anecdotes about recent events in his life. Shorter versions of Araki's comments appear in the table of contents of each magazine issue that features a chapter of Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan. Below are notes from every Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan volume and the corresponding magazine issues.
I went to a photo booth with the manga artist Koji Koseki, a good friend of mine. I've never done that sort of thing before, but I'd say it was quite fun. —Rohan Kishibe
I still have another 60 pages left to draw until I can publish a short story collection. It'll take another two years. Please wait patiently for it. —Rohan Kishibe
As you might already know, Rohan Kishibe is a spin-off character from Part 4 of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (see Volume 34) who works as a manga artist. He has a Stand ability that allows him to turn people into books; this allows him to read their raw memories and thoughts as text, as well as write into and manipulate them. This book is a short story collection of Rohan's observations. I drew the first of these works in 1997, so I am very happy and grateful that they have finally been gathered into one book. This collection of five spooky stories features a wide variety of settings, from Italy to the mountains to the coast. If you were to enjoy them, it would make me even happier.
In 1997, the editorial team asked for a short story. The terms were: less than 45 pages and no spin-off of an existing series. Ta-dah! And here's a spin-off for you (laughs). I obviously made the first draft without Rohan, but isn't it so much better with him as the narrator? Just read the panels without him, just to see. It's like a tasteless meal, isn't it? When I think about it, without that interdiction, I would never have drawn the other Rohan spin-offs. Above all, I'm grateful for that.
Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan - Episode 16: At a Confessional (Published in Weekly Shonen Jump #30, 1997)
When I was a child, my father and grandfather used to scold me by saying, "People like you should move to a deserted island," or, "I'll go ask the prison to lock you up!" (There was a prison near our house.) I thought, "I'd like to go to a deserted island," but I also thought, "Prison is so scary, please don't let me go there!" One particular rebuke he used was, "If you live your life mocking people, you'll be struck down when you are happiest." I still find it terrifying. I fear being struck down whenever I'm happy, and as I grow older, I'm becoming more and more afraid of it. I don't think I'm cheating anyone, but I still don't like it. However, I do like the main character of this work, who remains undaunted. The "Thus Spoke" part of the title means that Kishibe Rohan is not the protagonist, but instead the navigator of the story. (I'd call it a B-type work.)
Whenever I write a short story, I always think about how "youth is horror." That's the goal I aim for. I think Mutsu-kabe Hill is a really creepy story. As I was drawing them, I started to feel as if the "creatures" in the story actually existed somewhere in Japan, which horrified me. That said, why exactly was Mutsu-kabe Hill named Mutsu-kabe Hill? I can't remember it at all. I'm sorry. It really is terrifying.
I am honored! It was a genuine adventure into the unknown! I found myself having to produce a manga about the famous Gucci brand. Trying to find a way to take on this subject was a real conundrum, but then I thought about Rohan. I actually didn't have him in mind from the start. He really is able to travel in any circumstance for his work, which is really convenient for me. Once I made Rohan the protagonist, the story came together in no time. I tried to have him hold the traditional bag from the brand and wear some of Frida Gianinni's creations while respecting the details to the best of my ability. I'd also like to thank the decisive courage of SPUR magazine.
The greatest benefit I obtained from Millionaire Village is Kyoka Izumi, the editor character. Even though she has an annoying personality, I love the character and consider her a masterpiece. I swear upon my own honor that no editor among my entourage was used as a model. It's true, and I'm not just saying that because I fear reprisal.
What I most wanted to portray in Poaching Seashore was the exchange of the lines, "We're going to poach them," and "That's why I'm interested." Rohan might cross the boundaries of modern society's rules for the sake of something more important, but he never forgets to pay respect to tradition and history. In the end, I think that feeling was the reason why he survived and avoided drowning. Also, the chef, Tonio Trussardi, is a spin-off character from Part 4 of the Jump Comics JoJo series.
The Stand user who works as a manga artist, and can read and write people like books... This is volume two of Rohan Kishibe's book of observations. Also, I'm glad these stories have been compiled into one book. When I look at them all together like this... I don't think I was aware of it when drawing them, but I feel like each episode has a different flavor as a result of being published in different magazines. I especially feel the influence of Bessatsu and the app. That's a happy occurrence, too... to Rohan Kishibe, I mean.
Times are changing and so is manga. As part of the launch of their exclusively digital magazine, Shonen Jump honored me by publishing this one-shot for their first issue. In the way that they respect their family tradition and celebrate the moon together, the Mochizuki family is reminiscent of the Higashikata family in JoJolion. Although the drafts were drawn on paper, this story has only been published on paper too thanks to this re-edition. It's like opposite elements found each other here, in the end. In any case, the moon will stay where it is.
"So it once existed here on Earth!" When I think about dinosaurs, horrible giant dragonflies and other ancient creatures, my heart skips a beat. I also like to think about new chimeras, like the man-faced fish or the chupacabra. I don't believe in their existence, but each time I think I catch a glimpse of them, I get shivers down my spine. I like that feeling.
When I was a kid, I used to read Bessatsu Margaret as early as Shonen Jump, or even earlier! When I went to visit my relative's sister, I would find an issue of it in the bathroom and read it. I was given the opportunity to draw Deoxyribonucleic Acid for Bessatsu. Well, Bessatsu still made me anxious after all. Usually, I aim to have a scary ending, but this story turned out to have a touching happy ending, perhaps because of that anxiety. I think it's wonderful. I'm also glad that I could draw Yukako Yamagishi again.
I revived the muscular characters I had aspired to draw in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure back in the '80s. In doing so, I surprised even myself. I really feel that something was revived. I also feel that someone like Yoma Hashimoto might really be out there somewhere. What a truly terrifying character.
Author's Note
