Tokyo Mew Mew interview : Ikumi Mia

[TheMangaQueen]

I want a kisshu plushy :(

[PotatoUPrincess]

...I need subtitles. Now.

[Kissamangastar]

Why did she stop drawing mangas? LOVE IKUMI!!! <3 I had the strawberry bell for christmas ^^

[OniHimeHatate]

@Kissamangastar She stopped?

[ThePagesAreViral]

what was that anime at the end

[255reese]

I HAVE THAT MEW MEW  ICHIGO PLUSHIE!!!!!!! I got it for christmas its so soft and so cute!

[lenton456]

I never expected ikimi to be this cute

[princess1arabia]

OMG SHE'S SOOOOOOO CUTE I WANT THEM REAL IN CHRISTMAS CANT WAIT TO BE 18YEARS OLD tht time im gonna go tokyo

[paklk75]

I wish their we're subtitles. ._.

[Angeliclily]

SHE'S SO CUTE OUO

[ringoisawesome]

she the mother of the mew mews

[thepinkypinkgirl]

For christmas i want that ichigo mew plush doll!!!!!!!!!

[Evachan2010]

For christmas I want a Pudding-chan keychain.

Huuu!! And Ikumi-sensei thinks she isnt pretty in pictures/on camera? She's sooo pretty!! She's so talented, my idol. I'd looove to study under her as an apprentice...

[Evachan2010]

I wish I had those posters O_O

[Animeshelly0120]

I love Mia ikumi!!! She's my idol!!! I want the plush toys so badly!!!

[Evachan2010]

Ikumi-sensei! =O =D

I've always followed her work. (TMM and Rabbits Dropping Stars were the first manga I ever read.)

Dakedo finding a picture of Ikumi-sensei herself was so hard, I gave up. TT^TT 5 years later, I finally found it. Thank you so much!

[1TeamFriendz1]

3:41 where was it taken place at?

[purplefurby2]

we love you Ikumi-san and we miss and love Tokyo Mew Mew! <3 <3

[cyberdrink56768]

この動画とは関係ない話だけど、｢恋きゅー｣いつの間にか連載終­わってたのね(´；ω；｀)

征海先生の新作まだかなぁ(>_<)

[xMewMurderx]

Uwaaaah~ she's my idol ^^

[1TeamFriendz1]

3:39 I love their performances. What is the name of the song? And are they're the "Mew 5"?

[Mewbutterflydee]

Mia Ikumi Is like the best drawer... :D LOL

[limpida98]

w mia ikumi è la migliore w!!!!!!!!!!!1

[dancergirlie13]

i love tokyo mew mew so much i want 2 read more books but idk where to find them

[hana4eva2]

@ dancergirlie13 im buyin mi books/mangas at ebay ive bought TMM a la mode so far. also check out amazon the prices may b pricey but theyre brand nu after all ^u^

[SailorStar006]

Im with u on that 1 ;)

[SailorStar006]

I wih i could meet her i love tokyo mew mew and shes so cool! :D

[MewMelonxGreenKnight]

aww shes so cute!

[HanonVoice]

OMFG Mia Ikumi I LOVE YOUR WORK!!!!! YOU ARE MY ROLL MODEL!!!

[8TeamFriends8]

I love it! I wish the TMM were here in real life everywhere around us someday! :)

[TheAnimefan345]

im with you but i would want to be a mew mew

[Galladegal2009]

i want to meet mia ikumi. T^T

she looks pretty. =)

she inspired me to make a mew mew of my own. ^___^

[Goldenpearlvoice1]

I wish she would still make the ORIGINAL MANGA

Tokyo Black-Cat girl

that story seems more interesting, but the producers made it into Tokyo mew mew

which has a whole different story T.T

don't get me wrong it is still one of my favorite manga's but I would like to know how Ikumi wanted to make it. because Tokyo Black-cat girl was her version

[xsweetxXcandyx]

I agree! I enjoyed that story

[Goldenpearlvoice1]

you can read it?!!! where where wheeerree xD???

[tolvfen]

@Goldenpearlvoice1 -So what's the difference between the Original Tokyo Black Cat-girl and Tokyo Mew Mew?

[mewmewforever32a]

@tolvfen

there isn't much difference, Mia Ikumi just wanted to change it up a little. Tokyo Mew Mew was like an improved version of Tokyo Black Cat Girl

[xMewChemicalRomancex]

I can understand a lot of what they're saying. ^_^

And thanks for the upload and translation!!!

Damn, I'd love to meet Mia Ikumi. :3 She's my inspiration for my manga. ^_~

[PrincessSerenity229]

Does anyone got the English subs for this?

I`d like to know what their saying!

[MewMewSakuralover]

wow she made tokyo mew mew??!!! i wish i could meet her!!!

[ChibiZell]

quanto è tarda!!!!

[Animegal6]

she sounds really shy. could she be worried about something?

[Animegal6]

i mean just by judging from her position and the way she is talking. cuz i barely kno how to speak japanese T_T i wish this had subtitles!

[yamajunusa]

About 1 year age, I gave a rough translation in this comment. Please read it. Maybe I should use annotations by now. (But at that time there wasn't such function.) Forgive me.

[Animegal6]

its ok but where can i find the translation?

[yamajunusa]

Click see all comments at bottom and serch my comment about a year ago.

[Animegal6]

i found it thank you!

[MewTwilight321]

Mia Ikumi, I didn't think she'd be THIS young! Wow she looks...what like 18. maybe 20! I LOVE LOVE LOVE TOKYO MEW MEW!

[estu48]

Nice interview!!!

And Reiko Yoshida?, she is the story creator!!!. xD

[MewBenji]

and she says "Hai" a lot, which means yes.

[MewBenji]

what a CUTE little girl as Pudding-chan!!

(why was Masaya's head so big? was it to make him more realistic?)

[munchanime]

around 2.52 they ask her why she choose cat instead of other animal for ichigo

[princessvampire786]

subtitles english

[BagboyTim]

How!?!

[NaruxSakuxfreak]

i feel like i want to meet her and give me some advice to make cute charcters like that..:D

[MewBonnie]

she is really pretty! can anyone upload this with english subtitles, plz?

[MysteryAC]

to Randomchibi96:

She's depressed because someone let her beautiful work of art (AKA Tokyo Mew Mew) fall into 4kids' hands.

I'd be depressed too.

[rukhgulab]

yes, that might be true haha mew mew power sucks

[MewXenia]

i bet shes saying

"dammit! why did i let 4kids ruin my show"

and thasts why mew mew power was cancelled!

[shinofreak011]

wait who got her work? You mean to say that they stole her idea or they stole her work? If so, then fuck those kids

[MysteryAC]

4kids the dubbing company HAD her work. That's why she might sound depressed.

[EvaMaryVale]

embarassed*

[EvaMaryVale]

She is so embaressed *_*

[Sailor7Spice7Chick7]

yeah subs please it looked like a very interesting interview^^ thank for the video

[paklk75]

aww...u cud of put subtitles so we cud of understanded it but...oh well, she darn adorable though!!! :)

[tsukihime333]

I wonder how people draw anime, for me ITS IMPOSSIBLE!

[immigranter]

i'm an anime drawer! I can show you if you want

[tsukihime333]

Thanks!

[immigranter]

just send me an e-mail... my hands are kind of busy being in university, but I need to get away once in a while! so no worries all the better.

[xXMewXIchigoXx]

I draw anime, but I also draw realism, which helps a LOT. XD But when it comes to style and stuff like that, you just have to watch a bunch of different kinds of anime, read different manga, play different video games, etc. to get an idea of what you like in a style, and then develop your own style. ^_^ To be honest, my style is a lot like a modified version of the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (anime version) style. XD

[RabbitTeacup]

Hmm. I always wondered what she looks like.

[pandakoi]

same... there are no pictures of her anywhere!

[paklk75]

Mia-Chan Is Kawaii!!! x3

[Sunokinomi]

It's Amazing How A Girl Like That Created 東京ミュウミュウ she is so kawaii i love her style, shy & sweet ^-'.Love Her ^O^.Thank you for posting/uploading this on youtube ^^;

[LilMewOsaka]

awuhh shes shy :)

i really like her and OMG look at those ichigo plushies! i want one

[Topazz29]

OMETTETO!!!

[animedelight]

omg in the book the creater of the book said that she had big eyes but i see no reseblence

[lossylollypop]

omg so thats what mia ikumi looks like, wow shes so shy compared to her talking in the book!

shes so pretty

[iadoptedapenguin]

How do we get zee ichigos on the table??? there so kawaiiii

[Sketcherr]

Wow, she's really pretty! And her hair is just too cute! ^^

[Micsoollover]

cool

[AnimalLuver85]

dah i need subtitles ahh

[rukhgulab]

OMG OMG OMG THATS MIA IKUMI!!

[ryoushirogane]

Thank you very much for the translation.

[AmuGabbyGirl]

mia ikumi is sooo kawaii

[yamajunusa]

**** caption on the screen 3:39-3:51 ****

Ichigo & co. (Tokyo Mew Mew) have popped out of the manga world!

Average age 12.6 years, "Mew Five" is the five-membered unit of topic.

We will serve for the sake of the earth as in the manga world.

****

[xTheMapleStoryx]

Thanks so much for the translation! I absolutely LOVE the group poster in the back! I want it really badly! *idolizes over poster* Thanks for the upload!

[yamajunusa]

=About this video=

This program is a part of a two-hour bi-weekly Anime/Manga information show "Anime Paradise" broadcasted on Cable/Satellite TV channel "Kid's Station" in August 2001. The man on the right is one of the two hosts of this program Mr. KOBAYASHI Osamu.

In this corner of the show, that is called "21st century Comics", Kobayashi talks/interviews about a manga which attracted his attention.

[yamajunusa]

=greetings 00:00-00:25

K ' "21st century Comics", today I visited Kodansha (publisher of the manga), and will hear about "Tokyo Mew Mew".

What a surprise! ......We had a pleasure to be joined by IKUMI-sensei, who is responsible for the drawings, to the talk. Thank you for joining us.'

Mia 'Thank you for inviting me.'

K. 'You are nervous, aren't you?'

Mia 'Yes.'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'We talked a little while ago, and I heard IKUMI-san always watches our "Ani-para", is it right?'

Mia 'Yes. I watch every broadcast.' K. 'Thank you very much.'

Mia 'Thank you.'

=Sentai and Mew Mew 00:25-01:05

"Let's start straightaway.

I had a pleasure to read the comics, and I found this work has a resemblance to the "Sentai-show (Power ranger show)" in the format, although this is a Shojyo-Manga. Five girls get together and transform into...so and so."

"Ah, Yes."

[yamajunusa]

K. 'I felt the five members are finely well-balanced.'

Mia 'Yes, I had deliberately considered about the balance among them before I started the serialization (on the magazine "Nakayoshi"). I drew them again and again, changing their costumes, changing their height and others. So their balance should have been appropriate.'

[yamajunusa]

=About characterization 1:00-1:20 K.'Besides the balance of their height and outlooks, I was interested in their characterization? I suppose it is difficult to characterize all five of them, isn't it?'

Mia 'Ah, yes. It was difficult to characterize them, I was often asked to change a certain characteristics of one not to overlap on other's. It troubled me a lot.'

[yamajunusa]

=About their names 1:20-2:05

K ' And I also want to ask about the names of the characters. The heroine is "Ichigo"-chan, and there is "Purin (Pudding)". What is the source of their names? To start with, who worked out their names?'

Mia 'Well, some of them are from my friends and assistants. However, in the case of "Zakuro (pomegranate)" I couldn't get any inspiration from violet, I went to a supermarket store to see things.'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'Ah! So you tried to make their colors and names consistent.'

Mia. 'Yes. I thought it might be cute if I name them after some foods. I also thought if I use "Ichigo", they would make Strawberry(Ichigo)-related merchandizing goods.'

K. 'Oh! You have tactics.'

[yamajunusa]

==Endangered species 2:05-2:25

K. ' In the Mew Mew story, those five characters have been injected the genes of "endangered species"; that is the species of rare and of small population, which we ought to preserve. '

Mia ' Yes. That's right.'

[yamajunusa]

==Characterization as an animal 2:25-3:30

---Ichigo : Cat ( Iriomote wildcat )

K. 'Because of this injections, each of them has a certain characteristics of an animal. For example, Ichigo-chan is a 'Iriomote-wildcat', is she?'

Mia 'Yes, she is.' 

K. ' So Ichigo-chan has a characteristics as a wildcat.'

Mia 'Yes. Especially I made Ichigo's character sleepy and whimsical according to cats.

[yamajunusa]

---Lettuce : Finless Porpoise

Mia 'As for Lettuce, I insisted that she should be a "Finless Porpoise".'

K. ' I think it is difficult to catch on why she is a "Finless Porpoise"; by the way "Finless Porpoise" is a kind of a dolphin, people rarely have chance to see them?'

Mia ' Ah..., but I like to visit aquariums.'

K. ' So you often go to the aquariums and .....Oh I see.'

[yamajunusa]

---Zakuro : lone wolf

Mia ' Finally, as for Zakuro, she has a position of a lone wolf.'

K. 'Ah, I see.'

==Mew 5 at Tokyo character show 3:19-4:41

K. 'Although these five main Mew Mew characters wear maid costumes, they also make transformation, popping out eras and spring out wings etc. And there is a group named "Mew 5" reproducing the image of the characters after transformation. Is it right?'

Mia 'Yes, it is.'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'I had a chance to watch their show on the event stage at the "Tokyo character show" the other day.'

Mia 'Yes?'

K. 'They were so cute! '

Mia 'Yes, they are terribly cute!'

K. 'Their average age is about ...?'

Mia. 'About 12 point something?'

K 'Are they elementary school girls?'

Mia 'One elementary school girl and the rest are junior highschool girls.'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'Oh really.'

Mia 'Yes.'

K. 'So they have almost the same ages and heights as the original settings.'

Mia 'Yes.'

Mia 'In the final audition, I also took part in the decision who should play which character. So they perfectly fit to my image. They are very pretty and I'm quite happy. I am so excited about them that I've once finished my manuscripts/drawings in great haste to go to their show! (laugh)'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'In a sense, they became the power to speed up your work. '

Mia 'Yes, they are. I've been working on my manuscripts until two hours before their stage show began, then I dashed to their stage. (laugh)'

K. 'You are no less than a fan girl, aren't you?'

Mia 'Yes, exactly. I am a fan of them, the fan No.1.'

[yamajunusa]

==Musical than Anime 4:41-5:18

Mia 'Before I started the serialization on the magazine, I told to others (company/producer) that I want to see musical version more than anime. I suppose they remembered it and listed to me. '

K. 'Then they might be preparing or sketching ideas for a musical.'

Mia. 'Maybe. If Mew Mew became a musical, it would be quite nice. I hope.'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'But if a musical casting these five girls should be made, then I suppose the original scenario writers, Ms. Yoshida and others, would have to make a new scenario or settings for a musical stage, wouldn't they?'

Mia 'Well, I'm not sure but might be so.'

K. 'Now, the realization of their stage is a matter of future, so we want to turn back to the manga.'

[yamajunusa]

==How will the story develop? 5:18-5:54

K. 'The second volume was just published, and I suppose it will take a bit for the third volume to come out. In the Vol.2 all of the five members have gathered, and from here on it's getting clearer the true characters of their enemies, isn't it?.'

Mia. 'Ah, yes.'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'The story begins to expand now, and I wonder how far the story will go? Or will an enormous enemy appear after them? I am expecting very much how the story will develop.'

Mia 'The development of the story is already almost fixed to the finale. But my characters [develop by themselves and] play around and not so serious about saving the earth, falling in love and having fun in life, etc.'

[yamajunusa]

==Ichigo and Aoyama-kun 5:54-6:04

K. 'About the side of love relations, our heroine Ichigo-chan has a boy friend, Aoyama-kun is her boy friend, is he not?'

Mia 'To tell the truth, they are not yet going about together.'

K. 'Ah, he is just a boy she likes then.'

Mia. 'Yes, he is.'

K. 'I see. '

[yamajunusa]

==Future plan 6:04-6:20

K. 'I believe an exciting story will be told in future. The third volume is scheduled to come out in January next year according to the editor. So let's wait it with full expectation. And if there is any possibility, we would wait for a musical show. '

Mia 'Yes.'

K. 'Only if, it is possible.'

Mia 'Yes.'

K. 'Thank you so much for joining for us today.'

Mia 'Thank you very much.'

[yamajunusa]

*** Caption on the screen 5:19-5:28

We will serve for the future of the earth, Nyan!(mew!)

Borrowing the power of animals on the blink of extinction, Ichigo & friends take action. "Tokyo Mew Mew" (Story: YOSHIDA Reiko, Manga: IKUMI Mia)

Comics vols. 1 and 2 are in store now from Kodan-sha [publisher].

[yamajunusa]

*** Caption on the screen 5:32-5:44

Presents from the magazine "Nakayoshi" (Kodan-sha), on which "Tokyo Mew Mew" is serialized!

On September 2nd (Sun.) we will hold an "Autograph meeting of IKUMI Mia-sensei & Mew 5 handshaking fan meeting" at Ueno Matsuzakaya.

We announce the sale of "Tokyo Mew Mew special calendar 2002", limited for subscribers.

For more detail please check "Nakayoshi" magazine or "Digi-Naka" ("Nakayoshi" web page)!

"Digi-Naka" (++ADDRESS++)

[yamajunusa]

==Presents for the Viewer 6:20-6:45

K. 'So, I have heard about Mew Mew. Today, we have presents, these dolls here, for the viewers'

Mia 'Oh, Yes'

K. 'Everyone, please check it! '

**Caption

We present "Tokyo Mew Mew" Ichigo-chan doll for five viewers. Details will be shown at the end of the program.

**

[yamajunusa]

K. 'This doll is just announced at the character show, therefore it is not yet in store at present. This is not-for-sale now. Please apply for it. '

==Neko-mimi & tail 6:45-7:20

K. 'And here are another items which I found in the character show. This is a Neko-mimi of the heroine. This is a Neko-mimi, am I right?'

Mia 'Yes. It is a Neko-mimi.'

K. 'And a tail.'

Mia 'A tail. Yes.'

[yamajunusa]

K. 'Are these aimed for cosplaying?'

Mia 'Not exactly, they are aimed for small children. And I think these might fit with everyday dress. I believe children looks cute with them.'

K. 'I suppose these items will be on sale in near future. Please buy and enjoy them.'

==Good-bye 7:20-7:25 K. 'Thank you so much for joining us. Today, we interviewed with IKUMI-sensei. Thank you again.'

Mia 'Thank you very much.'

**END**

[mo0on12]

her hair is like mint's hair !! in TMM :D

[billiesbiggesfan]

oh and if you can please please please remake this with subs or somthing, I realy want to know what their saying, I wish I could speek japanese.

[billiesbiggesfan]

are those cosplayers the offical actreses for promotional events that she mentioned in the manga?

[yamajunusa]

Yes, they were official group called "mew five". They were elementary/junior-high school girls then. They are now around twenty.

One of the members 'AKESAKA Satomi' (Minto) has become a voice actress. She played the role of 'Nano-Nano-Pudding' in Galaxy Angel Rune.

'Mako' (the first Zakuro : she has changed to 'MITA Mao') played the main role 'Yurie' in "Kamichu".

I cannot promise but I will try some translation in coming holidays (May 3-6).

[billiesbiggesfan]

wow cool, I thought they were, and thanx that would be awsom if you could. thanx again.

[Tigertail94]

OMG!! WAS THAT MIA IKUMI???!!!

[MewMewMarti]

She's so young! I thought she'd be in her mid/late 30's but tshe only looks like 22! The dolls on the table and the big posters were sooo cute!!

[purpleguy319]

I wish i knew what they were saying!

[MewArisa16]

In the manga Ikumi Mia says she doesn't photograph very well but she's soo pretty!!!!!<3 She looks like Kugimiya Rie...

[Sketcherr]

I agree! I was just reading in the first book that she did a photoshoot and she said she doesn't come out well in photographs. But she's so adorable! She looks so young and yet she's so talented!

[tallylou]

I am talking the truth!!!! :)

[mewmewichgo]

where did you get this from?

[CoolieTubie]

know what would be really awesome? ;o

SUBTITLES!! yeeee ^^ ;P

[MatteV2]

Mhm she is O_o never seen here before but yeah she is....... how old is she? i mean she looks so young....

[xMink]

She should be in her late 20s.

[MatteV2]

WHAT?! she looks like.... what the hell kinda like 20..... at most....

[PandaGirl9000]

pudding

[mizunonamida]

te bancoo ikumii :P

[soulreaperanbumewmew]

awesome!she's very pretty

[konekoMizu]

She's adorable! XD OMG, do you know what she's saying? I need subtitles!!

[tallylou]

I know!!!!! HeLp Me!!!! I nO uNdErStAnD!

[RainbowAnimeKitten]

I love Tokyo Mew Mew!TMM 4 EVER!

[MewWinxKPandmore]

Momo. lol, u DO know that the lemur on Avatar:the last Airbender 's name is Momo, right? lol

[Laugorlin]

WAT WERE THEY SAYING

[kiki900400]

she is pretty

[haruhi777suzumiya]

shes more adoweble then i thought XD

[xWannaBeLovedx]

Her cat ears... Where r they!? XD I WANNA SEE THEM

[Coolskittles821]

Those 'boxes' are actually the official manga books...

[yamajunusa]

This program was broadcasted in 2001.

I don't know her age, I'm afraid it's a secret.

[Furubatsu]

i thought she said she wears cat-eart to events like this?

[UA05MRCO]

what with your dog? xD

[xbooshbabyx]

I NEED an Ichigo doll. I don't know what the other things are (the Mint+Ichigo boxes) but I'm sure I need them as well.

[xbooshbabyx]

They look like books

[OtakuPanda]

I wish I could pull her out of this computer and hug her! :D

[Shukakulover]

OMG!MIA IKUMI!ILU!

[PrincessSamoa]

she looks nerves

[VanillaUchiha]

omg! mia looks so pretty! this is the first time i've seen her ^_^

[DanceAnotherDay]

I wish I could understand all of it, just part of it isn't any good T.T

[mojocrystaltokyo]

me too

[MewEevee]

I wish I knew what my idol Mia Ikumi-san is saying. I wish this had subtitles

[KokkoiiMatoku]

Aww shes so cute.

Damnit. if only i could understand what there saying DX ha ha

[kyurri1706]

I KNOW

[Mokurentate]

SUBTITLES!!!

[lovekirbysomuch]

nICE!!!! LOVE TMM!waiting for tokyo mew mew ''a la mode''!!!

[crazymonkey2332]

i wish i could understand what they were saying

[midnightcherrytree]

This is great! Ikumi Mia- san looks different from what I imagined. And the girls that play the characters are kawaii!! >^.^< I wish there were subtitles though so I could understand them.

[wolfalchemist11]

i can only understand a little bit, but i still get what theyre talking about!

I love to read the manga!

[TokyoBlackCat]

they would have had wigs but if they did they'd be the risk of the cat ears coming off

[TaoJenChan]

Ikumi-San seems very uncomfortable here...

[Chrisgirl867]

I feel lucky I get words from my idol but i'd feel alot luckier if I knew what they were saying. :(

[NejisGirlfriend1]

is there anyone who might know talk japanese?

I want to learn so badlyy

[tamama777]

I like this manga^^

[Chrisgirl867]

I Ikumi like she said in manga 4 the voice actors are so adorable! Ikumi-san is cute as well :) Cool plushies. Who's that guy talking to her? All I heard them say is hi (yes), ichigo san, & henshin. Arigatou for that interview Ikumi-san!

[MewWinxKPandmore]

i think ichigo and masaya got married, and ryou "admitted" that those two are better off together. ryou still liked her... he is so caring... oh here i go again praising ryou shirogane! there is no tv show for tmm a la mode.

yeah Mew Mew Forever! Ryou Is So Awesome In Every Single Way! (ok...)

[karlibell22]

They didn't actually get married, they had a pretend wedding in the manga. ^^; In the anime we don't know what happens =P

[Junodavidw]

OMG! I want one of those ; ;!

[PeachyWhip]

She is so pretty! My idol!