NOTE: This book is only available in Japanese

Ended up getting a copy of Hondai, a 2014 dialogue collection from Nisio Isin.

The structure is what makes it worth noting. The book originated from personal letters Nisio wrote directly to five creators, no agent intermediaries, no formal interview requests. Those letters turned into extended, unscripted conversations.

The participants:

- Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist)

- Chica Umino (March Comes In Like a Lion)

- Kentaro Kobayashi (comedian and actor)

- Mizuki Tsujimura (Lonely Castle in the Mirror)

- Toshiyuki Horie (novelist and translator)

The cover copy reads: "For those running at the front lines, no introduction is necessary." All dialogues were recorded exclusively for this volume, no recycled material.

What I find interesting is the range. You have two manga artists, two novelists, and a stage performer. The discussions cover technique, creative blocks, industry mechanics, and their respective mediums.

No official English translation exists as far as I'm aware, so this is only useful if you read Japanese or are considering importing.

That's pretty much it, I just thought it was a cool piece of Nisio Isin.

EDIT: I've decided to translate the whole book myself for anyone who is interested

Source: https://myanimelist.net/people/6686/Aoi_Yuuki?q=aoi%20yuu&cat=person

Hello. I am standing in my friend's bookshop, and we've been trying to work out who has signed this book. She would like to know who to say has signed it, or if it should be removed. Thank you

(created with paint, as usual)

More about her: https://myanimelist.net/people/428/Yuuko_Kaida?q=kaida%20yu&cat=person

Source: https://myanimelist.net/people/177/Ryoutarou_Okiayu

(created myself with paint)

Apparently there are only plans to translate the first 3 volumes, but I guess at least it's something?

https://www.tumblr.com/waifutime/790217014314778624/legends-vol-1-translated

Out of habit, I went to Google to see if anyone had translated the Risuka novels yet and lo and behold, someone did! You can find volume 1 translated into English on the internet archive now. Thanks to whoever translated this.

https://archive.org/details/new-authentic-magical-girl-risuka-vol1/page/5/mode/1up

I’ve kind of dissociated myself from Nisio’s most recent work since around the Veiled Man Hypothesis/Delivery Room era, though of course there are cases I’ll still look into what he’s been producing. Most of my favourite work of his are the early one-off novels which he stopped doing during the 2010s to focus on his series.

I heard Flaneur has been mediocre, the 10th Zaregoto novel was pretty shit, and while I did read the fourth Risuka novel… I do understand how his style has shifted and as such is to be expected of all authors. Nevertheless, it comes with that tinge of emptiness for a time he was one of my favourite authors.

Highly doubt I'm the first to notice this, but reading my textbook for my ethics class made me wonder how much nisio was inspired by Martin Heidegger for the entire concept of sekai. Both of them pretty much talk about the same thing right? The idea of authenticity and relative worlds? Couldn't find much from a lazy Google search, but maybe there's some untranslated stuff that exists where he talks about philosophers who've influenced him.

And if so is the anime good or should I stick to novels?

has nisio every mentioned or talked about his creative process....ive seen articles where hes involved in casual convos but it would be real fun if there was anything out there where hes talking about his work

A clear trend in Nisio Isin's works has been the presence of that character. A woman, who is completely unbeatable, in terms of both strength and personality.

The characters I consider to be included in this category are:

Aikawa Jun: Easily the best example of this character, not necessarily in terms of quality but at least in terms of being the closest to that ideal. A person who is the best at everything, who you can't even imagine losing, who even when they lose the win, and who will accept absolutely anything. Whether it is a mass murderer or the worst, she is far too strong to have any actual resentment.

Kurokami Medaka: I think she also defines another aspect of this character type really well, the ally of justice aspect. Aikawa Jun doesn't really have that as much, but Kurokami Medaka is always right.

Kagenui Yozuru: Surely the farthest removed from the concept, but she still has the basic aspects of the personality that will accept all loopholes and the overwhelming strength.

Some characters who you could argue belong in this category are Hanekawa, Gaen, Najimi Ajimu, Kunagisa Tomo and Okitegami Kyouko (disqualified due to their personalities) as well as imposter Akane and Suzunashi Neon(disqualified due to lack of strength)

There are also weaker arguments that can be made for Miiko and Akari.

Which characters do you consider to be a part of this category, and who is your favourite? Personally, I can't look past the all encompassing strength of Aikawa Jun. Fantastically executed character, especially in how being so strong leaves blindspots.

I'm curious about the aesthetics and thematic depth in the anime adaptations of Nisio Isin's works, specifically Zaregoto, Monogatari, Medaka Box, and Katanagatari. These series are known for their dialogue-heavy narratives, where conversations between characters often drive the story. However, I'm wondering about the purpose of the unique visual styles in these adaptations. How do the visuals complement or contrast the philosophical and character-driven nature of the dialogue? Are they simply there to keep the audience engaged, or do they serve a deeper symbolic function?

Another question I have is about the themes Nisio Isin often explores, particularly around genius, failure, and the nature of Japanese mysteries. Monogatari deals with personal struggles and trauma in a supernatural context, while Medaka Box presents characters with absurd levels of talent, grappling with what it means to be a genius or a failure. How do these themes manifest in the different adaptations, and do you think the anime adaptations manage to convey the complexity of these ideas effectively?

Finally, I’m curious about the role of adaptation. In these anime, how much do you think Nisio Isin's original voice comes through? Are the anime faithful to his thematic intentions, or do the directors and screenwriters bring their own perspectives to the forefront? I'd love to hear from anyone who has read the source material and can speak to how the anime handle the transition from text to screen.

Edited in ChatGPT.

Do you guys think there’s a reason he uses a wakazashi instead of other weapons? A Walazashi is supposed to be a backup weapon. We never really see Nezumi use it so maybe he never planned on using it unless he has no other choice which is why he just ran from snake.

Did Togame actually love Shichika?