An interview with the genius soldier incarnated as a music producer and the original author of "Party Ka Kong Ming", Tsuchiba タト
In April 2022, Japan's new "Party Café Kong Ming / Party Ronin Zhuge Kong Ming" is a cross-over funny anime adapted from the manga of the same name, which is the story of the famous military master Zhuge Kongming of the Three Kingdoms Period who traveled to Shibuya, Japan, and used a trick to help Hideko Tsukimi, who wanted to become a singer, chase her dreams. The original manga was co-created by Ryo Mitsuba and Ryo Kokawa, with the former in charge of the plot and the latter in charge of the drawing. In this article, We interviewed Muraba about the project history of the original manga, the source of the idea, and the communication with the animation production team.
——Please briefly talk about the project history of the original manga "Party Ka Kong Ming".
Four Leaves: It started when I thought of the title name. Then I started working on the script, writing it back and forth about 50 times before the plan was approved. My connection with Young Magazine's editorial board was when I met Editor I at a bar. He was still a student at the time, and I hadn't made my debut as a writer yet. I said I wanted to be the editor of the manga, so I joked, "I'll also debut as a writer, so let's find a chance to work together in the future!" ...... It turned out to be a reality. It is important not to give up on dreams. I said, "It can only be this person, and recommended to me mr. Ryo Ogawa to be in charge of painting. Mr. Ogawa is in charge of painting, which I think is the greatest luck.
——How was Kong Ming's idea of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" appearing in modern Shibuya?
Tsuchiba: The opportunity was at a Roppongi nightclub, and on the morning after the night, a DJ friend said, "Wouldn't it be fun if Kong Ming turned into a party café?" It's not a paragraph, I mean really... [Laughs). Then I thought of the title name "Party Curry Ming", and went to the maximum value of the title name and started writing the script, and that was the process. The composition of "Party Cafe Ming" is to teach nightclub games. Originally, I wanted to make a slow-paced funny comic, but because it would not maximize the characteristics of Kong Ming, I gave up.
--Hideko wants to be a singer, and Kong Ming becomes Hideko's military teacher. What are the considerations when making this story?
Four leaves: One point is to be careful not to feel in love. The relationship between Kong Ming and Ying Zi is, in the final analysis, the relationship between the military master and the lord. Like a father-daughter relationship, the love element is zero. As an element that must be added, I will add some settings that I came up with myself, such as "Mr. Kong Ming would be interesting if he did this!" As a fan of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Kong Ming was reborn into modern times and what would he do? I wish I could have that feeling of anticipation and excitement, and I wanted to read it too. I'm careful not to forget this initial impulse.
——With Kong Ming's strategy to make Hideko's stage successful, is there any point of hard work and effort?
Four Leaves: It is more laborious to set kong Ming's plan to work in modern times. Based on the premise of scheming, to compose the content, configure the characters, join the story... The production format is like this, so in a sense it feels like a chess combo. I put forward the idea, made suggestions, and then gave it to Mr. Ogawa, a process like this.
—— How is the production of drama and the production of paintings carried out?
Four Leaves: Impression feels very close to a complete division of labor. My personal feeling is like handing over the script to the film supervisor. After the review of the direction and intention of the script is passed, even if there is a change in the lines and performance, I will ask to paint directly. I have very little experience in making original manga, so I have benefited a lot from Mr. Ogawa's performances and other aspects. In fact, I haven't met Mr. Ogawa once... [Laughs). Although there was a signing meeting, but there was an epidemic, I missed that opportunity. I hope to have the opportunity to meet in the future.
——Teacher Four Leaves, are you a fan of Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
Four Leaves: I'm a fan! More than history, I am a fan of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I don't even remember how many times I've seen Mr. Yokoyama's manga Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Regarding the charm of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", all aspects are too rich, and I hope that everyone can also explore and explore.
-------------------------------------------------
Four Leaves: About a year and a half ago. I was discussing comics with Editor I online, and when we were done, he started telling me, "Actually..." At first, I thought he was lying to me... [Laughs). Later, I was very happy, but considering that everything was a case, I also had to pay attention to keeping a normal mind.
——For the animation team, do you have any hopes that must be adhered to?
Four Leaves: I only said a little "Please don't make the relationship between Kong Ming and Hideko feel like love".
——Mr. Four Leaves, in what form did you communicate with the animation production team?
Four Leaves: I have participated in script meetings and vocal selection angles. However, Shu Honma and the screenwriter coordinator (series composition) Miss Yoko Minaiyama read the manga "Party Kakonaki" more deeply than I did, so I basically just made a confirmation about the script. I might ask for a little bit of Kong Ming's lines to be changed. Regarding the animation script, I also benefited a lot.
——In the communication with the animation team, is there anything interesting about the impression?
Tsuba: When the sound is finally checked and plugged in, honma supervisor wears a hood deeply, like "Pickmin", and I was very impressed (laughs).
-------------------------------------------------
Four Leaves: I was amazed at how high the quality of the film was. I finished watching 1 episode of the anime all at once. A must-see is rap wars. The rap of Mr. Ryutaro Komei and Mr. Shoya Chiba, the voice actor of Komin Komin, and Mr. Shoya Chiba, the voice actor of Kabe Taijin, are amazing. It was truly amazing. The musical aspect is also very refined, and each piece is at the level of the protagonist. After listening to it a few times, you can remember it, which is very distinctive. Hopefully, music can be sold sooner rather than later.
——What do you think is the charm of the anime "Party Curry Ming"?
Four Leaves: This is the strongest animation that can be eaten 5 times by a grain of rice. "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" fans do not say, even people who do not know "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" at all can find happiness in the animation through various angles. The animated version will focus on the dreamer singer Hideko. There are many parts of the anime that cannot be described in detail in the manga version, so be sure to look forward to the anime.
——Finally, please say a few words to the reader friend.
Four Leaves: Thank you readers for seeing this. There are a lot of interesting works in Japan, and I would be very happy if you could feel a little interest in "Party Ka Kong Ming". By the way, "Party Curry" is like this strange title name... It's a hilarious comic. Everyone can watch with a relaxed mood.