JOJOmenon (October 2012)
Ultra Jump - VS JOJO (December 2011)
Interview with Hirohiko Araki in the JOJOmenon mook, published on October 5, 2012.
Interview
Interviewer: “JoJolion” has been a bit more erotic in comparison to previous arcs but is this a conscious decision? Is there a motive behind this shift?
Araki: I wanted to draw something that I had never drawn before. Therefore, it’s probably the first time bust shots have made an appearance. As for the art, I want to draw a looser style. Instead of having a constant focus on intense fights, I think the readers also enjoy the off-beat interactions as well. Up until now I was pursuing the element of fear but I also want to incorporate a sense of relatability and looser aspects.
Interviewer: How have you specifically actualized these ideas?
Araki: For example, I have increased the number of white panels. I try not to draw everything to perfection but rather with a little more openness. I could illustrate as dark as I did previously but I intentionally included more white elements so the reader could pass through a section without being heavily invested in a facetious scene.
Interviewer: I do really enjoy how the art throughout the “JoJo” series has constantly evolved.
Araki: Rather than trying to change, I try to avoid illustrating old, already existing art. However, I do realize there are characters like Hirose Koichi or Kobayashi Tamami whose heights have gradually shrunk and that’s not great.. haha
Interviewer: Like, Funny Valentine from part 7 was the opposite as he steadily grew.
Araki: Ha, That’s okay because he was working out! (lol) In reality, the characters constantly move through their lines and poses and they just happen naturally like the flow of nature.
Interviewer: Regarding the dialogue, it’s really amazing because the lines are so memorable that they even publish books such as “Famous quotes from JoJo’s BIzzare Adventure”
Araki: It’s amazing isn’t it! Haha! When I see my work being accepted by the younger generations, I feel glad to have been drawing all this time.
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