According to creator Tatsuki Fujimoto, Chainsaw Man finds a delightful balance between its art and story. However, he humorously expressed his admiration for Aka Akasaka’s decision to retire from drawing entirely, wishing he could do the same in front of his editor.
In a translated interview by @lightning446 on X, Fujimoto was asked about the concept of creators stopping their work, especially in light of Hayao Miyazaki’s multiple “retirements” – the latest after The Boy and The Heron. Fujimoto responded, “Hmm, I’m not entirely sure about that. But Aka Akasaka, the writer of Oshi no Ko, declared, ‘I won’t draw anymore.’ I thought to myself, ‘That must be so nice… I want to do that too!'”
Aka Akasaka, known for the popular rom-com manga Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, with 28 volumes and over 20 million copies in circulation, decided to retire from drawing in 2022. His next work, Oshi no Ko, received immense praise for its anime adaptation, which earned the highest rating ever on MyAnimeList. The manga also garnered widespread attention for its subversive elements and likable characters, although it’s not illustrated by Akasaka himself. Mengo Yokoyari handles the art for Oshi no Ko, while Akasaka’s latest manga, Love Agency, is drawn by 5mm Nishizawa.
Where Does Fujimoto Stand on Retirement?
Similarly, Fujimoto was questioned about whether he had ever contemplated retirement. In response, he firmly stated that retiring would deprive him of the enjoyment he derives from the intricate process of plotting and balancing the art and storyline. He expressed a pessimistic view of an endeavor solely focused on art.
While the demanding work schedules in the manga industry could be a contributing factor, Fujimoto’s main reason for not considering a career focused solely on art was that he believed it would limit his ability to convey a broad and open-minded impression to the readers. This stance was in contrast to the sentiments of some Chainsaw Man fans who appreciated Fujimoto’s “simplistic” art style for its creative paneling and its ability to complement the often gory and absurd nature of the series and its creator. One-shots like Goodbye Eri further showcased Fujimoto’s storytelling prowess beyond the constraints of weekly serialization, leaving fans to speculate on the possibilities.
As the manga continues, fans are left to ponder the potential directions a Chainsaw Man season 2 could take.
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