SDCC: Interview with Takashi (”Bob”) Okazaki
So, I got the chance to sit down with Takashi (”Bob”) Okazaki, creator of Afro Samurai, at San Diego Comic Con. We chatted about his upcoming plans, what he’s been enjoying at the convention, and where the heck that “Bob” nickname is from. Hit the jump to read!
GM: Where did the “Bob” nickname come from?
TO: Actually a pre-art school teacher started giving foreign nicknames to all the students and he gave random English names to each student, and he said I was very “Bob” and even though the other students’ nicknames were never really used, they kept calling me “Bob” and that’s where I got the nickname from.
GM: For those who didn’t get around to watching the original Afro Samurai, should they watch it before seeing the sequel, or can they understand the second on its own?
TO: I recommend watching the first season before watching the second because it takes place after everything in season one has concluded, so it gives more depth to your understanding…so watching the first season would help.
GM: What was it like meeting Samuel L. Jackson for the first time?
TO: My legs were shaking because I was so nervous, but then I saw he was wearing a Star Wars baseball cap and a Lone Wolf and Cub t-shirt, so once I saw that I could tell that Sam J. has a really good understanding of the work of Afro Samurai, so that’s when I felt really comfortable.
GM: How about now?
TO: The relationship is really great and something I really appreciate. Sam J. is really friendly and really cool about the relationship, although we don’t see each other very often, only occasions like the Comic-Con panel discussion and that sort of thing. But Sam J. takes time to talk to me and makes effort to tease me and I really appreciate that and I hope I can someday be as cool and generous and kind-hearted as Sam J. Someday!
GM: Are you excited to have Lucy Liu in the film? What kind of character does she play?
TO: I’m very excited. It’s another addition of a great voice to Afro Samurai, and I’m really surprised to see so many big names joining the project.
She plays one of the main characters, Sio, and she’s a new sort of character in the world of Afro Samurai. She’s the main villain and she has this hatred for Afro and wants to kill him, there’s a touch of insanity in her hatred towards Afro, which sort of brings a new air to the world of Afro Samurai.
GM: Have you gotten to explore the convention much?
TO: I’m still at the point where I’ve sort of browsed through the booths but now I want to see it all in more detail.
GM: Anything in particular you want to buy or have gotten that you’re excited about?
TO: The truth is, I just got back from buying a Cylon toaster from Battlestar Galactica, which is something that I really wanted to get as soon as I heard about it. And I managed to get it, so I’m really excited.
GM: Are you planning on doing any site-seeing after the convention, or are you heading straight back to Japan?
TO: Unfortunately I have to fly back to Japan to fly to Germany because there’s another convention that I have to attend, so…not this time!
GM: Have you been to Germany before?
TO: Yes, I have.
GM: What do you think the fans there are like compared to the United States and to Japan?
TO: Actually that’s something I’m going to find out from this next visit, because the last time I was in Germany was during my pre-Afro phase, so there was no discussion, it was just another event where some other artists and I held an exhibition, so the situation was totally different…so now I’ll find out.
GM: Okay, I’ll check back. So what do you think about American fans versus Japanese fans?
TO: It’s overwhelming to see the passion of the fans in the United States, because…we did a theatrical release of Afro Samurai in Japan and the audience reaction didn’t create as much buzz as we saw in the United States. It’s sort of a strange feeling to see something that’s created in Japan making such buzz in the United States but not as much as Japan!
GM: What do you think about Comic-Con versus, say, Comiket and other Japanese events?
TO: Actually, I can’t really answer that because I’ve never been to a convention in Japan…
GM: So what projects do you have up your sleeve now? More Afro Samurai or something different?
TO: Just before coming to San Diego I completed my [Afro Samurai] manga, which was a huge project on my end. So while I’m flying to Germany I’d like to take some time to really ponder and think over what it is that I want to do next.
GM: What kinds of things are you reading? Manga, novels?
TO: I read samurai novels often, and there are some series called Kenkaku Shoubai, by Shotaru Ikenami…and these are sort of the original novels from which many popular TV series are made, so I like to read that genre.
GM: Have you played the new Afro Samurai game?
TO: Yes, I have.
GM: What do you think?
TO: It’s awesome!
GM: Do you play a lot of games?
TO: I used to love playing games a lot, but recently I haven’t got time to really play them…so I buy some games but they just end up unopened in my room.
GM: Me too! So, it’d be hard to top the RZA, but are there any other musical artists you’d really like to work with someday?
TO: Ahh…that’s a hard one! RZA played such a great part in building the world of Afro Samurai from a musical point of view that I can’t think of any other artist that would be his equal.
GM: Okay, last question…I heard that you’re really excited about the new Watchmen movie; did you get into the trailer event? Is there anything else on display here at Comic-Con that you’re really interested in?
TO: I haven’t had very good luck with Watchmen because I REALLY wanted to get the bag [that WB was giving out] so I was desperately asking everyone where to get it but I never had a chance. And I didn’t get the t-shirt. So I wasn’t very happy about that for this Comic-Con. But another title that I’m kind of interested in is something that I’ve been wanting to check out, The Spirit, so I got a poster for that. But Watchmen? No…
As it happens, I was able to finagle a Watchmen bag for Okazaki-san before the con was over to thank him for the interview, which was fraught with danger (some cosplayer nearly tripped on us, and then a poster for Dracula 3 nearly fell on us…oof).
Hope you enjoyed!
Tags: afro-samurai, sdcc08, takashi okazaki
July 28th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Cool interview. I wonder what he thought about Mark Hamill as well since he’s doing a voice too.
I wish I could get a Watchmen back though. Bring back enough for the rest of us?
Oh, and I think you forgot to end your italics after Battlestar Galactica.