EX: With MACROSS PLUS and THE VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE, you worked with Kawamori Shouji. With BRAIN POWERD and TURN A GUNDAM, you have worked with Tomino Yoshiyuki. What do you think of the differences in styles between Kawamori and Tomino?

KY: (laughs) Those two's styles, as well as the styles of BEBOP's director Watanabe [Shinichiroh] and ESCAFLOWNE's director Akane [Kazuki], are all completely different. COM-PLETE-LY different. However, I do enjoy creating sounds for their completely different needs. Except for Kawamori in particular, they are not familiar with basic music techniques. Kawamori is not very detailed when it comes to musical instructions. He would say, "This would be interesting to try ... <hum>." (laughs) Tomino is not detailed at all. He was concerned about age though. He would say, "This is the song when a young man enters." He was concerned that everyone from children onward would understand. (laughs) Director Watanabe is extremely detailed. Detailed, detailed, detailed ... He listened to a lot of jazz himself, and since I don't have a lot myself, he brought many over. He is very skilled at collaboration and combining music with visuals. Director Akane is very earnest. For example, he said since "It's about love, I need a love theme." He was so very earnest ... "Please give me a good song." (laughs) He's a die-hard romanticist, and he really loved romantic songs. Everyone is very different.

EX: In the liner notes of MACROSS PLUS Original Soundtrack Plus: For Fans Only, Gabriela Robin wrote, "I was astonished by the presence of darkness, hidden beneath myself." Why do you think she said that?

KY: (laughs) What do I think? I'm not Robin, so I don't know. (laughs)

EX: Do you feel the same way as she does?

KY: When I'm asked such questions, [In English] "No comment." (laughs)

EX: I understand you've traveled to Italy, England, and America. Which other countries have you visited?

KY: Hmm, various ones ... Italy, England, America, France, Israel, the Czech Republic, Warsaw [in Poland], Bulgaria. Oh, and in addition to England, Scotland and Ireland. I also went to Copenhagen [in Denmark].

EX: Which did you like the most?

KY: I especially like delicious food during my travels, and all of them had delicious food but Italy especially ...

EX: Even England?

KY: [The food of] England was tasteless, but Scotland and Ireland's food was delicious. (laughs) "Which was the best" is a difficult question. I like whatever has delicious food. (laughs)

EX: According to your "Pokkari shita" column, you visit overseas zoos and safari parks because you love animals. On top of that, you draw pictures of animals in every issue of NEWTYPE. Do you get any inspiration for music from animals?

KY: (laughs) I don't receive any particular inspiration for music from animals. I've really loved animals for a long time. When I was a child there was a city zoo nearby. It was less than twenty minutes by walking. Every day, I would go to the zoo. Later, I wasn't able to go as often, but I try to go to relieve lots of stress. (laughs)

EX: On this trip, have you been able to visit zoos?

KY: I haven't been able to visit any zoos yet. However, there is the zoo down in San Diego.

EX: Are there countries you haven't gone to yet that you would like to?

KY: Africa!

EX: Which countries in Africa?

KY: The ones with lots of animals. (laughs) I don't know, but Tanzania and South Africa, I would like to visit.

EX: Would you like to go on a safari?

KY: Yes, I would. (Laughs) For the adventure and all ...

EX: You have now been to two American conventions, and you have traveled to America before. What is your most memorable experience in America?

KY: The most interesting experience is the combination of fans and creators. This is the first time I've been able to experience this. There aren't many opportunities at all in Japan for creators to meet fans directly. I was very surprised (laughs). To hear from people directly encourages me.

EX: At the Opening Ceremonies, were you surprised by the enthusiasm of American fans for your work?

KY: I was very surprised at the opening ceremonies, when everyone went "Yeah!" (laughs).

EX: If you can talk about them, please describe the plans for future animation and game projects.

KY: There are several in progress for animation, but as to when [they'll be released], I don't really know. There's an ESCAFLOWNE movie, and there will probably be a BEBOP movie.

EX: Oh? There hasn't been an announcement yet ...

KY: I think there hasn't been one, but BEBOP will probably be made into a movie—ah, I mean, wouldn't it be nice if it was made into a movie? (laughs) Next year or the year after, I'm planning a project with Kawamori.

EX: Is there a title?

KY: There's no title. (laughs) As for games, there are plans to do a fantasy game, one without killings.

EX: Do you plan on producing Sakamoto Maaya's album again?

KY: If I can, I would like to produce Maaya-chan's album again.

EX: This is the final question. Is there anything you would like to say to the fans in America?

KY: [In English] "You give me a lot of pep. (Laughs) Thank you for coming to this convention."

Special thanks to Border Line's Ohta Toshiaki for arranging the interview and the members of Escaflowne Mailing List for suggesting questions. Humble apologies to the good people of England and its cuisine.

Image Copyright © Sotsu Agency, Sunrise, Fuji TV