Interview by Nippon Club with Akira Itou

You know, the co-creator of Cardfight!! Vanguard. (The interview is translated from Indonesian!)

Q: Is this your first visit here (Indonesia)?
A: Yes, this is my first visit.

Q: What do you think about Indonesia?
A: I’m surprised because of the weather. It’s very cold in Japan, yet it’s very hot here.

Q: You are one of the Cardfight!! Vanguard’s creator, can you tell the story behind it?
A: After I finished the spin-off from Yu-Gi-Oh! I felt like I need to create something new, and I was inspired to create Cardfight!! Vanguard.

Q: You’ve created Yu-Gi-Oh! R and Cardfight!! Vanguard, both has the card game theme. Will you create something that isn’t card game related?
A: Yes, I have some plans, and I’m currently preparing for it.

Q: Why do you choose card game as the theme of your creations?
A: I already understood card game things since the start of my career, I feel like I have the talent here. I also feel like it’s easier to create manga about card game.

Q: Why do you choose drawing as your career?
A: I used to be an office worker, but I’ve never got enough salary, so I decided to work as an artist. [Editor’s note: What world is this.]

Q: How do you feel about the anime Cardfight!! Vanguard, in which you also take part as the manga creator?
A: I’m working the manga alone, but about the anime, I work with many people, about hundreds of people. So, I feel nervous when creating anime.

Q: Where do you find inspirations while working?
A: I get inspirations everywhere, like my childhood experience, or while I’m observing things around me.

Q: Do you play Cardfight!! Vanguard?
A: I used to play it, but people around me are so strong, and I feel weak. Now I don’t play anymore.

Q: What’s your favourite clan?
A: Shadow Paladin.

Q: Do you have an avatar like Aichi Sendou?
A: Currently I don’t have any.

Q: Do you have any favourite character from Yu-Gi-Oh! R or Cardfight!! Vanguard?
A: Hmm, I like Dragonic Overlord.

Q: Do you have a favourite mangaka?
A: My favourite mangaka is my teacher which is also the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh, Kazuki Takahashi-sensei.

Q: Some say your drawing style looks like Kazuki Takahashi-sensei, how do you feel?
A: I feel honoured because I adore him so much.

Q: What’s the first card that you created in Cardfight!! Vanguard?
A: Blaster Blade.

Q: How does it feel to see Cardfight!! Vanguard being popular everywhere around the world?
A: I can’t describe it with words, I’m so happy.

Q: Is there any other card game that you follow?
A: Magic: The Gathering.

Q: Are you currently working on a project?
A: I’m writing a manga, but I couldn’t tell you now.

Q: You come here to see your fans, is there any unique/weird things that happened to you?
A: When a stranger said “thanks” to me. I don’t know how to explain my feel.

Source: Nippon Club (Source in Indonesian)
Thanks to vectroll from the Pojo Discord for the translation!