Interviewer: Continuing from the Tokyo Ghoul and Tokyo Ghoul Root A anime, you have become the lead writer for script and series composition. Please tell us how you felt when you received the offer.

Mikasano: Even when the previous anime came to an end, I kept track of the sequel in case Tokyo Ghoul:re ever got an anime…if I have to be honest, I couldn’t imagine someone other than myself writing the script for it. Somehow I felt that I’d be able to meet them again, the characters I’ve written for up until now. So when I received the story recently, I was feeling very emotional and thought, “Ah, am I going to get to meet them again?” Of course, the series has become increasingly huge and has gained the world’s attention, but oddly enough I’m not pressured by that. Looking back at the previous anime, I am the only remaining member of the former anime staff, so I feel like I have a sense of duty and responsibility.

Interviewer: It feels like Tokyo Ghoul:re has a considerably different atmosphere from Tokyo Ghoul, such as the protagonist being Sasaki Haise. Regarding the anime, what are your thoughts on this?

Mikasano: So far, the story had been told by Kaneki Ken in first person, but now Tokyo Ghoul:re is told more dynamically in an overarching manner, so I was under the impression that the style of the story had completely changed. But having worked on it, I’m starting to think that the anime direction of :re will be easier to manage compared to its predecessor, to the point that it makes me wonder if Ishida-sensei deliberately portrayed the story to make it easier to animate in mind.

Interviewer: Tokyo Ghoul:re is presented in such a way that there are many quirks unique to the manga medium such as Urie’s monologues, which was surprising.

Mikasano: Of course there are many obstacles when it comes to expressing the quirks unique to manga into animation and plays, but I think it is very easy to substitute the transition between scenes and the flow of emotions with footage. Ah, but that might just mean I’m getting better at writing scripts (laughs).

Interviewer: (laughs.) Based on your track record, Ishida-sensei seems to be looking very forward to what you have written for Tokyo Ghoul:re.

Mikasano: Throughout the series up to now, I have been able to build a relationship of trust with Ishida-sensei. Both sides understand the differences between the anime and manga media, so nothing extra is added other than what was in the series, and things seem to be progressing more than ever.* As for the anime for the original manga, I believe more than anything that the source should be respected, however the footage cannot just be slapped together if it is to be good. The concepts of the animation medium must be applied while appreciating the core of the original work. In that sense, this time I am arranging a fairly bold composition, but I think that is something that can only be done with trust by the mangaka. Fortunately, Ishida-sensei seems to have enjoyed the arrangement.

Interviewer: This is your first time working together with the director Watanabe Yoshihiro. What are your thoughts about him?



Mikasano: Director Watanabe left the basics of the script to me, which means I now have a greater responsibility for it, but he believes that it will be easy to show my abilities. As the director, since he has a clear image of what he wants to express and the ability to direct, put this way, we each have our own distinct roles. He is quite easy to work with, and it feels like we have great compatibility working together. I think that we are in an ideal site and can boast that craftsmanship is being done so soundly, to the point that I ask for everyone to watch the anime.**

Interviewer: Any last words to the readers of YJ?

Mikasano: If I had to say something, probably something like, “Please watch until the end and don’t stop midway.” I believe that not watching until the end is the same as not having watched it all. Please look forward to the anime.

Notes:

* : I got the impression from this line that the ‘extra’ parts Mikasano is referring to are the events in Root A that deviate from the manga.

** : This was difficult for me to express, but Mikasano is basically saying that they are doing a splendid job, hence the term ‘craftsmanship’ being used.

If there is anything I have mistranslated, please let me know right away and I will fix it! (Source for original interview)