Author's Note/Steel Ball Run
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.
SBR Vol. 5
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"In late 1980, when I had the opportunity to shake Tezuka Osamu-Sensi's hand, I thought to myself, 'Wow, the hand of a cartoonist is so soft and fluffy!" Also, When I shook the hand of Oyama Masytatsu-sensei of Karate, my reaction was, 'Whoa! So he actually smashes bottle 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 all soft and fluffy." |
|
SBR Vol. 7
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"I've realized that I've reached my mid- 40's and if I'm to live up to 70 or 80, then I've already passed the half-way point. This is a semi-difficult topic, but I'm starting to wonder if this is okay the way things are going. Am I walking the 'right path'? There is a need for 'satisfaction' and both Gyro and Johnny are seeking 'satisfaction' in this race. This is in fact the theme of this series. (Continued in Vol. 8)" |
|
SBR Vol. 8
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"Sometimes I wonder what 'the right path' is. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I were to gown the wrong path, in pursuit of things like love, or justice. |
|
SBR Vol. 9
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"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 besides those, the TV series '24'. The main characters in these works all have a sense of professionally, and they act without hesitation: it's as if their determination transcends normal 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, and through all of these works are suppose to be 'cool', I always feel a burning sensation in my gut. And the Number 1, in that respect, is 'Heat'. |
|
SBR Vol. 12
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"There are things called 'angry seasons' for me. It's a time when I strangely start to get aggravated by the world's rules and regulations; but even more bizarrely, when that phase goes away, I start to think that those same things that I was irritated by are now great! Most recently, two horror movies called 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning' and 'The Texas Chain Killer: Beginning' came out, and mistakenly I bought the wrong DVD. Hey! (Note: 'The Texas Chain Killer: Beginning' is called 'Hoboken Hollow' in America) But when my 'angry season' passes, I'll probably think that it was good that I bought two interesting-looking horror movies. |
|
SBR Vol. 14
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"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 really understand what that phrase means, though I don't ride horses myself. I can't tell you specifically which ones they are, but when I sometimes get a racing panel to look just right, it feels good, because the figures seem to fit well with one another. It just leads me to believe that humans and horses are biologically suited for one another." |
|
SBR Vol. 15
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"So I've recently found out that some people are intimidated by me-- people I've met for the first time during interviews always 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 the same as him, though. I'm the type of person that, when eraser bits or a drop of ink gets into my tea during work, will drink it anyways. I really want people to say 'man, I always relax in front of Araki', instead. I guess I need to work on myself more. |
|
SBR Vol. 18
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"While writing 'Steel Ball Run', I recently noticed a common feature among the characters that appear in it, and that is that they have the desire to go home. That is, they're looking for places to go home to and meanings for their going home. The latter at least is for Gyro whom has a hometown to go back to. So far, the only one among all the characters whom was able to find that was 'Mountain Tim'. Even as the author writing 'SBR', as I write, it sometimes feels really harsh and it makes me really want to leave this race and go home. But I can't go home yet. Not until I can find the meanings for the characters to go home." |
|
SBR Vol. 19
| Quote | Picture |
|---|---|
|
"Heads up to all the young people out there. Stop climbing trees as soon as you read this. However, ignoring my friendly wisdom is even more dangerous. Policemen are already looking for you. Especially throughout the Tokyo city center. I know, I know, climbing trees is just too damn cool to give up. But, consider the following: The moment you relinquish your tree-climbing desires is the moment you avoid falling on your ass and looking like a complete buffoon stuck in the hospital. Dislocating your pelvis, scraping your knees, or kicking the bucket can be just the beginning. Furthermore, your mental health comes in question the second your foot encounters bark. Now, a special message to any of you crazies reading this advice while hanging out on a tree branch, 'RETURN TO EARTH!' I understand you wish to defy gravity and the natural order of the entire planet, but climbing trees is the wrong way to do it. Hopefully, this message inspires every one of you to come to your senses and discover new found respect for your own well-being." |
|
