Chiho Saito and Kunihiro Ikuhara on Utena
Panel Two

These two are near polar opposites, and watching them being interviewed was akin to a ping pong match. 

Saito is a very happy woman, and this shines through in her writing style. Chiho Saito often picks the climax of a story first, then writes the entire story merely to build up to that event. Commenting on writer's block, she says that "listening to a particular song over and over" helps her the most. That, and a nice bath. (^_^) Saito has written over 70 titles, spanning 18 years of being published. Her next work will involve a girl in Italy. When asked on her choice of Renaissance architecture in her works, she replied, "I love the spaghetti in Italy! I love that country!"

Ikuhara, on the other hand, was a slick man, eager to discuss his role in the production of the television show. You see, the Utena manga had no sexual overtones whatsoever - all of these were added by Kunihiro Ikuhara. Why? "I like that sort of thing", he replied. His favorite character is Nanami - he based her personality on a girl that he liked as a teenager who treated him like dirt. He chose to create Utena because of the vibrant colors the show allowed him to utilize, and as for the music, he was a fan of J. A. Seazer (the creator of the rock opera played throughout Utena) in his earlier years, and always wanted to work with him. His next project is entitled 'Shell Bullet' - look for it in upcoming months!
 

And now, Saito and Taniguchi on Shoujo Manga in general! >>