Interview:VOGUE+ (February 2022)
CGWORLD (December 2021)
An interview with Hirohiko Araki from the February 2022 issue of VOGUE+ magazine published on February, 9 2022. It is notable for being the first interview that Araki has ever been done with the Chinese press.
VOGUE+ is a monthly Chinese apparel, beauty and fashion magazine that started publication in September 2005.
Interview
- It’s been 20 years since you created Stone Ocean, a masterpiece of a manga featuring a female protagonist. What was the reason that you made the main character a woman?
Araki: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a manga series based around the theme of the protagonists inheriting the spirits of their ancestors. My goal was to make the main character of Stone Ocean, Jolyne Cujoh, a woman who would still be able to hold her own in a fight, both physically and mentally.
- How does the way you portray Jolyne Cujoh physically differ from those of your other male protagonists?
Araki: Even when depicting male characters, I often reference poses and styles used by women. And while drawing female characters, I try to make them more expressive and dynamic than they would be normally. In Jolyne’s case, I was very conscious of how muscular the character would be.
- The way the series focuses on spiritual power and the manifestation of “Stands” is very unique. What were you thinking when you came up with this concept?
Araki: Stands were created to reflect an “inner power” that’s invisible to the naked-eye. That’s why when I design Stands in my manga, I aim to match the ability and appearance to the personality of the user they’re tied to.
- So what was the design process for Jolyne’s Stand “Stone Free“?
Araki: Jolyne’s Stand “Stone Free” has the ability to turn itself into string and manipulate it. The more string it uses up, the weaker the main body becomes. This gives the Stand a “risk and reward” element that I think goes together very well.
- I’ve noticed that over time the characters in JoJo have become much slimmer, sexier, and softer from how you initially drew them. What was the reason for this change?
Araki: I think it’s because of how the times have changed. In the ’80s, main characters were drawn as the embodiment of adventure, with muscular bodies and strong features. However, when I came up with the concept of “inner power” in the ’90s, the bodies of the main characters started becoming more normal-sized (around 5’7″ to 5’9″).
- How does fashion tie into your manga?
Araki: Fashion plays a very important role in the creation of my manga because it helps highlight the appearance and personality of my characters.
- The characters in JoJo are very elegant and beautiful. Which character design is your favorite?
Araki: It would have to be Weather Report’s fur hat.
- I heard you’re personally involved in selecting the ending songs for the JoJo anime, so why did you choose “Distant Dreamer” by Duffy as the ending song for Stone Ocean?
Araki: When I listen to it, I vividly picture Stone Ocean's protagonist, Jolyne, within the coastal prison. Duffy’s “Distant Dreamer” is a great song and I love it very much.
- VOGUE Magazine has appeared many times in JoJo. Can you tell us the influence that VOGUE has had on your art?
Araki: VOGUE is a fashion magazine chock-full of avant-garde and artistic photos. Every time I read it, I get inspired to draw.
[Translated by Morganstedmanms (JoJo's Bizarre Encyclopedia)][1]
- 您在20年前就创作了《石之海》这部以女性为主角的王道漫画,创作的背景和决心是怎样的?
荒木:《乔乔的奇妙冒险是以主人公继承先人和先祖之心为主题的系列漫画作品。空条徐伦作水石之海》的主人公,我的目标是将其描绘成无论是精神上还是肉体上,都具有极其强大战斗力的女性。
- 对空条徐伦在身体的描绘和动作的展现上,跟前几部男性主人公有何不同?
荒木:在描弄弄中的男性角色时,我也偶尔会参考女性的造型和姿态。实际创作中,在动作的展现上,女性角色的表现会更为丰富些。而在徐伦身上,我则是更有意识地描绘一些肌肉的感觉。
- 《乔乔》强调个体的精神力,并将其具化成“替身”,这样的设定非常特别,您在创作时是怎样思考的?
荒木:替身是为了将肉眼本看不见的“心灵的强大”通过绘画表现出来而创作的。因此我设计替身时,以能力、外形与角色的心灵、思想一致为目标。
- 空条徐伦的替身“石之自由”的设计理念是怎样的?
荒木:徐伦的替身“石之自由”是将自己的身体变成线状并进行操控,放出线的量越多越长,自己的肉体就会变得愈发单薄。这就是所谓的“优点和缺点“安全和风险”总是时常相伴的说法吧。
- 《乔乔》的人物身材从开始的壮硕慢慢变得纤瘦、性感、柔和,产生这种变化的原因是什么?
荒木:这应该是因为时代的变化吧。上世纪80年代,肌肉满满的主人公才是浪漫(的化身)。而进入90年代后,因为“心灵的强大”这一主题的出现,主角的身材也都变成了等身大(170~175cm)。
- 您如何看待时尚与漫画这两者间的关联?
荒木:时尚在漫画创作中是十分重要的,因为时尚元素可以突显避画中角色的外貌与内在。
- 《乔乔的人物造型十分之华和复杂,您最得意的人物造型设计是哪一个?
荒木:我想应该是“天气预报”这个角色的毛茸茸的发型吧。
- 听说《乔乔》动画的片尾曲您也会亲自参与挑选,那么最新这部《石之海》的片尾曲为选择了Duffy 的Distant Dreamer?
荒木:这是一首听之便能思及海岸监狱里《石之海》主人公徐伦形象的歌曲。Duffy的Distant Dreamer真的是很棒的歌,我太喜欢了。
- 《乔乔》里多次出现了VOGUE杂志的身影,可以讲讲VOGUE对您创作的影响吗?
荒木:VOGUE是登载着前卫而充满艺术性照片的时尚杂志。每每阅读,都会受到创作上的灵感刺激。
