"Forest Warrior Bonoron" (sponsored by Seven Bank), a children's picture book distributed free of charge from 2005 to even months 15 at 7-Eleven and Denny's. About 1 million copies are distributed every issue, and this work has been animated. In S.N.S., there are many stories that are free of charge, but I almost cry even though I was reading to children" and "I smile every issue", so there are voices that I always go to get every issue. Tetsuo Hara, who is known for his work Fist of the North Star, produces this picture book. Why did Mr. Hara, who has worked on many boys' and youth manga, produce picture books for children that are the exact opposite of the culling worldview? And what is the unexpected commonality with Fist of the North Star?
Since 2005, 7 - 11 and denny's have been distributing free picture books to children on the 15th of the even month of 15th, with about 1 million copies distributed per issue, which has been animated. There are many comments on SNS: "Although it is for children, I have cried myself" and "Every issue is very warm". Although it is free, because there are many stories that move adults, they will collect each issue. The person who made this picture book is Mr. Tetsuo Hara, who is famous for "Hokuto Divine Fist". Why would Mr. Tetsuo Hara, who has created many juvenile and youth manga to this day, make a children's picture book that is completely opposite to the worldview of killing? In addition, where is this unexpected similarity with "Big Dipper God Fist"?
How my own child-rearing experience made a picture book "I wanted to distribute it for free so that everyone can read it"
My own parenting experience was the opportunity to create a picture book "I want to distribute it for free to everyone"
――What made you decide to produce picture books for children, having been drawing manga so far?
——What was the opportunity for Mr. Tetsuo Hara, who has drawn manga so far, to suddenly turn to making children's picture books?
Tetsuo Hara: As I experienced child-rearing, I learned that character in picture books and anime moves children's hearts. When I was drawing Fist of the North Star and Keiji Hana in Weekly Shonen Jump, there was an aspect where the main character's way of life hinted at the way of life of the boys, and I wanted to work on works for younger children next time. When I was talking about such a thing with Hoshibo Kitahara (Nobuhiko Horie who was the editor in charge of 'Fist of the North Star'), who was the original author of Bonoron, I got the chance of materialization.
Tetsuo Hara: Probably during my parenting experience, I stumbled upon picture books or anime characters that can touch children's hearts. In the era depicted in hokuto Shinkenken and Hanano Keiji in the manga magazine "Weekly Shonen Jump", the protagonist's lifestyle will become a revelation of the life of teenagers, so I want to try to make works that are more suitable for young children. When he talked to Hoshihiro Hokuhara, the original author of Bonolong (the responsible editor of Hokuto Shinken), he was given the opportunity to implement it.
――This work is distributed to the whole country for free, but what kind of thoughts did you start distributing it free of charge?
- This work is distributed nationwide for free, what is your idea to do this?
Tetsuo Hara: If you can deliver a wonderful story without being affected by the family environment ... I wanted to say that, so that children can't read even if they want to read, we distributed it at a convenience store that is free and relatively easy to pick up. That common thought was connected to Seven Bank.
Tetsuo Hara: I want to be able to pass on wonderful stories to children without being affected by the family environment, etc. I hope that no children want to read books but can't see them, so they distribute them free of charge at convenience stores that are relatively easy to obtain. The idea was reached with Seven Bank.
INTERVIEWER What was the image of bonoron's character, the main character of this film?
——What kind of image did the protagonist of this work, Bonolong (ボノロン), come into being?
Tetsuo Hara: I designed the harmony as a hidden taste in a world view that blends Japanese and Western styles. My style is influenced by the contrast of the American painter Frank Frazetta, baroque paintings. I thought it would be interesting if the form of "Sumo-san" with a Japanese image combined with that. Therefore, the shape of the head imitates a large ginkgo. In addition, the arrangement is Western style, but bonoron is wrapped around the waist. In addition, it imagined from the sound of a plump name "Bonorone", and mokomoco was applied to the neck circumference.
Tetsuo Hara: Japanese style design is more hidden in the Japanese-Western worldview. My painting style was influenced by the contrasting Baroque paintings of the American painter Frank Frazetta. In terms of design, I think it would be interesting if you combined the japanese impression of "sumo" as a form. Thus, the shape of the head is copied from the great ginkgo biloba. In addition, although the hairstyle is Western-style, It is the crotch cloth that Bonolon wraps around his waist. In addition, I tried to put something furry around my neck, based on the plump pronunciation of the name "Bonolong".
"Tetsuo Hara ism" common to Kenshiro and Bonoron "What underlies the work is love"
Kenjiro and Bonorong's similar "Hara Tetsuo" "The foundation of the work is love"
――I think that fans of the teacher's work, such as Fist of the North Star, are often of the parent generation. Some people said, "It is good that Tetsuo Hara ism such as crying and sadness is incorporated.". What kind of response did fans of past works have received?
——I want to take "Big Dipper God Fist" as the lead, and the fans of many of Mr. Shenquan's works are mostly the generation of my parents. There are also voices that "it is better to include crying and sadness, etc. What kind of reactions have you received from fans of past works?
Tetsuo Hara: Unlike the end of the century, when Kenshiro was at the end of the century, some people seem to be surprised because it is a world view of adorable characters, but it seems that reading with parents and children from the younger generation is an important time for a moment.
Tetsuo Hara: Unlike kenjiro at the end of the century, this is a cute character's worldview, so some people will be surprised that from the perspective of the younger generation of parents, parent-child co-reading has also become a very important period of time.
――There are voices such as "I was reading to children, but I almost cried" and "I have been reading for many years", and this work has many fans not only for children but also for adults. Is there a point that you are particular about so that more people can sympathize with you?
"Although it is read to children, but I am about to cry" and "I have been reading it for several years", there are also voices such as this work, not only for children, but also for adults. Do you have any points to make for more people to resonate?
Tetsuo Hara: At the root of the work is the caring mind between people, and I have drawn love through the compassion that the character shows. I think compassion is something that humans originally have. However, I think that it is important to draw repeatedly because I think that it is something that tends to be forgotten. As I noticed when I looked at children, even 0-year-olds sometimes hold their fingers and catch people's eyes to sooth their parents. I feel the weight of the responsibility of the watcher so as not to miss such a child's own compassion and awareness.
Tetsuo Hara: The tone of the work is the caring heart between people, and the love is depicted through the care shown by the characters. I think compassion is something that humans have. However, I think it's something that's easy to forget, so it's important to depict it repeatedly. In the process of observing children, I found that even 0-year-old children will use their fingers to attract the eyes of others in order to make their parents get along harmoniously. In order not to ignore the characteristic thoughtfulness and care of children, I feel that the responsibility of the guardian is great.
――What do you think you were able to continue serializing for this film for 15 years?
What do you think is the reason why this work has been serialized for 15 years?
Tetsuo Hara: Seven Bank has been supporting Bonorone for a long time with a firm will to "for the future of children." Bonorone will have 100 episodes in the December 2021 issue. I think it was because of the power to continue to produce the story of the original author, Hoshinobu Kitahara, and the power to continue drawing by Mr. Go Nagayama of drawing.
Tetsuo Hara: I think it is because Seven Bank has long supported Bonolong with the firm will of "for the children's future". Bonolon will celebrate its 100th episode in the December 2021 issue. I think this is precisely because the original author, Mr. Kitahara Hoshibara, continues to produce the power of the story, and the power of mr. Nagayama Katsu, who paints, continues to paint.
"Painting is a given destiny" Many works that have been drawn in the spirit of "self-recluse"
Works that continue to be created in the spirit of "painting is the destiny that is given" and "forgetting oneself and altruism"
――Currently, the family spends more time together due to corona. There are various ways to use that time, but what role do you think this work plays in such an era?
Now, due to the impact of the new coronavirus pandemic, the time spent with family has increased. There are many ways to use this time, what do you think is the role of this work in such an era?
Tetsuo Hara: I hope this picture book will be an opportunity for parents and children to spend time together. I think that the child receives the nourishment of love from the experience of doing something with father and mother, and will be ready to go out to the outside world sooner or later. It is clear that it will be a great food for the child's growth afterwards if you value the time to face it with parents and children, even if it is small in any situation.
Tetsuo Hara: If this painting can become an opportunity for parents to get along, I will be very happy. I think children will receive the nourishment of love from the experience of doing something with their parents, ready for the outside world in the future. Obviously, no matter under what circumstances, even if it is only a little bit, as long as you can cherish the time spent with parents and children, it will provide huge spiritual food for the growth of children.
――Even after the 20th or 30th anniversary of this work, do you have anything you don't want to change? Also, do you think that you want to change this way?
——In the future, this work will usher in 20 or 30 years, and there will be "only this is something that I don't want to change"? In addition, are there any thoughts that "want to change like this"?
Tetsuo Hara: The idea that this picture book will be an opportunity to deepen the bonds between parents and children has not changed from the beginning. I would like to continue to convey that in the future. And even if the essence does not change, I think that it is necessary to devise expressions tailored to the times so that it can be transmitted to the reader.
Tetsuo Hara: I hope that this painting will become an opportunity to deepen the parent-child relationship, and this idea has not changed from the beginning. I will continue to pass this on to you in the future. In addition, even if the essence has not changed, in order to be able to convey it to the reader, I think it is necessary to match the expression method of the times.
――What is your belief as a creator of Hara,"What is your belief as a creator who continues to produce a variety of works?
──Mr. Hara, please tell me what is the belief as a creator who continues to create various works to this day?
Tetsuo Hara: So far, when I tried to draw a picture, I suddenly thought, "Is this a destiny?" "You may think. I feel that God praises me when I draw it. On the other hand, why don't good things happen when I'm slying (laughs). At first, I was happy that my mother was happy with the picture I liked. In the mean time, I began to draw while imagining how many people, from children to adults, would enjoy it. In my case, it is my pleasure to make people happy. When I'm painting, I forget myself and immerse myself. Rather, you often can't do a good job if you don't make yourself go. I don't have any belief, but if I dare to say it, I think it's an image of "self-righteousness" (Buddhist language: forgetting yourself and making it for others). Forgetting yourself and drawing leads to altruistics, and eventually there is a return. May you have a return of happiness.
Tetsuo Hara: So far, I sometimes suddenly think that this is "Destiny?" I feel as if I can get God's praise as long as I keep painting. On the contrary, I don't know why I feel lazy and no good will happen (laughs). In the beginning, the paintings I painted because I liked them made my mother very happy, and I was very happy. But gradually, from children to adults, I began to draw while imagining that many people could enjoy it. For me, making others happy is my own joy. When I paint, I will forget to paint. Rather, in many cases, if you don't forget me, you can't do a good job. Although there is no belief, the hard thing to say should be a gesture of "forgetting oneself and altruism" (Buddhist term: forgetting oneself and doing one's best for others). The depiction of selflessness, although the result is altruistic, will soon be rewarded. I wish everyone a happy reward!
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