Nya: I’m breathing.
Q: That’s good, air’s cool. So, you’re a big anime guy huh?
Nya: Once upon a time, I was always more of a manga guy though. I love reading.
Q: So then you prefer manga over anime?
Nya: Generally speaking, yes. I like to experience narratives in their original medium. Lots of anime are adaptations of manga, similar to how Hollywood adapts novels and comic books.
Q: Makes sense, so what if it’s an anime original?
Nya: In that case I’m much more likely to watch it. Toppa Tengen Gurren Lagann, Puella Magica Madoka and Psycho -Pass are examples of solid anime originals. Cyberpunk is life...
Nya: I like some. I used to enjoy them a lot more when I was younger but now I find that a lot of the anime don’t do that manga justice. I personally just prefer to get my content of a narrative from its canon, source material. However, I do think some adaptations do the source material justice and in some cases, surpass it.
Q: Can you give use some examples?
Nya: Okay, well the Hunter x Hunter (2011) anime is leagues better than the manga. Togashi is a brilliant writer but personally, I don’t think he’s the greatest artist. I’ve read a lot of the Monogatari light novels and truth be told, I like the anime so much more. I have yet to see an anime or manga adapt a visual novel better but some like Steins;Gate and Fate/stay Night do it justice.
Q: Well while we’re somewhat on the topic of visual novels and light novels, do you play and read many?
Nya: Yes, I do. Visual novels are amongst my favorite type of game to play. When it comes to light novels I can’t say I’m an expert but I’ve read my fair share of them. Accel World, A Certain Magical Index, No Game No Life, Monogatari etcetra.
Nya: Visual novels yes, light novels I’m a little pickier and less experienced. So for light novels, no.
Q: Okay so, you know we had to ask. Top 5 anime of all time (to date).
Nya: Haha of course. Um. Off the top of my head I’d go with Monogatari, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Psycho-Pass, Ergo Proxy and D-Frag. I don’t think these are particularly the best anime, just my favorites. Probably.
Q: Same question, but manga. Go.
Nya: One Piece, Monster, Gintama, Medaka Box and Blade of the Immortal. Also, just my personal favorites though One Piece is the best. Don’t argue with me.
Q:Some interesting picks, if you could only watch one anime and read one manga for the rest of your life, which two would you choose?
Nya: One Piece…twice.
Q: You...must really like One Piece..
Nya: Would literally die without it in my life. Literally.
Q: What anime are you currently watching right now?
Nya: Nothing really, but I plan on finishing Gatchaman Crowds Insight and Durarara. One Piece and Daiya no Ace are also there in the background. I download them every week but I don't watch them. I mean, I purchase them legally.
Q: Any upcoming anime you’re excited for this fall?
Nya: Aside from Owarimonogatari I can’t say I’m excited for anything else. I’ll watch One Punch-Man most likely and check out some of the movies but nothing on the fall list really has my attention. If I have time, I’ll fish through the list for any hidden gems. Maybe.
Q: How about any new and or upcoming manga? Anything catch you eye?
Nya: The creators of Death Note and Bakuman are teaming up again for a manga called Platinum End. I’m pretty stoked, it's about an angel and a human I believe. Another one is called Fire Brigade of Flames, Atsushi Ōkubo. The mangaka for Soul Eater is back with a story about firefighting.
Q: Interesting stuff, I’ll be sure to check those out too. Favorite genres?
Nya: Physiological thriller and romance. Preferably seinen or josei but I’m not against shojou or shounen although those are demographics, not genres.
Q: Cool cool cool. Let’s talk characters. What anime/manga characters do you like or find outstanding?
Nya: Some that come to mind are Gilgamesh, Kuchiki Byakuya, Griffith and Luffy. I could sit here and talk about notable characters from these mediums all day but I really don’t want to do that so I’ll go with my favorite one. Kujira Kurokami a.k.a Naze Youka (Medaka Box). She’s been my favorite character for years. I like her design, her thematic role, her powers and love for despair. Despair is love, despair is life.
Q: Weirdo…what do you look for in particular when trying to find new manga or anime to pick up?
Nya: Honestly at this point, I’m just looking for something refreshing. Creativity, originality and innovation. Everything is derivative, so at the very least subvert some of the tropes and staples I’m used to seeing, and you’ve got yourself a fan. Aside from that I need good characters and a solid plot.
Q: I see..I see. I personally find that aside from Ghibli movies, anime fans don' t watch a lot of anime movies. How about you?
Nya: I like anime movies more than anime series at this point. I've seen so many I almost made a top 50 list the other day. Anime movies are great because the animation is generally cleaner and you can wrap up the story in one movie (unless it's a series of movies). It's less of a commitment and you can rewatch it without having to sit through like 26 episodes.
Q: I never thought of it that way before..intriguing. What are some the anime films you find most memorable?
Nya: Most memorable would be the movie I grew up with. Kiki's Delivery Service. I've been watching that movie for 22 years. Tokyo Godfathers is my favorite anime movie and one of my favorite movies in general. Wolf Children is a powerful tale about some trials and tribulations of motherhood; I found that movie to be exceptional. Anything from Shikai Makoto and Comix Wave Films is solid. One Piece Strong World and Film Z were great, I loved From Up on Poppy's Hill. And then we have some classics like Angel's Egg, Ghost in the Shell and Spriggan! Man I could sit here all day and do this. Lastly I wanna give a shoutout to Sword of the Stranger and Paprika.
Nya: I AM quick an concise.
Q: What?
Nya: I'm ready.
Q: Best anime studio?
Nya: Ufotable, Madhouse or Comix Wave Films.
Q: Best mangaka?
Nya: Eiichiro Oda.
Q: Most overrated anime you've seen?
Nya: Kill La Kill.
Q: Underrated anime?
Nya: Mawaru Penguindrum.
Q: Most annoying character ever?
Nya: Komatsu from Toriko.
Q: Character you'd be friends with?
Nya: Any relatively normal character? I don't know.
Q: Come on pick one.
Nya: Tetsuya Yuuki?
Q: Character you wouldn't get along with.
Nya: Sasuke Uchiha.
Q: What anime world would you live in?
Nya: Any that has modern technology without being insanely dangerous?
Q: ...
Nya: Katekyo Hitman Reborn?
Q: Anime ability you' wa-
Nya: Ope Ope no Mi.
Q: Whoa! Ultimate waifu? You get one.
Nya: Naze Youka.
Q: You're in a harem, aside from Naze, name six girls.
Nya: Shinobu Oshino, Roka Shinasaki, Akane Tendo, Nico Robin, Misaka Mikoto and I guess Dal Dal Choi.
Q: Last one. You get to bring back one manga or anime back. Which do you choose.
Nya: Yuyu Hakusho.
Q: And that concludes our interview, thanks for coming on!
Nya: Thanks for making thousands of weebs out there mad at me lol.