Shu Sakuratani is the creator behind the hit shonen manga Rooster Fighter, which pits a noble rooster against a horde of Kaiju across Japan. We got a chance to speak to the mangaka about their work on the project as well as what attracts them to the medium.
“Rooster Fighter” is now Available through Viz Media. You can find Shu Sakuratani on Twitter: @shu_sakuratani & on Instagram.
When did you first get interested in making manga?
I was working for a company, but quit, and the part-time work I took on after that was incredibly draining. Right around the time I was desperate to make a change, I encountered a manga called Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san, and was amazed that such a manga could exist, which inspired me to become a manga artist. I would draw for fun as a student, but I had no idea that I would later become a manga artist.
Can you tell us about your process when making manga, specifically the action scenes?
I start by coming up with the coolest composition I can imagine and then put pen to paper. Sometimes things turn out differently than I expect, and when I'm not satisfied with the result, I'll keep trying over and over until it gets there. When I hit a wall, I'll put on an action flick and brush up on my action choreography. *laughs*
How would you describe Rooster Fighter to someone who has not read it?
I think the description at the beginning of the manga “this is the story of an everyday rooster saving the world” says it all!
Out of all the animals, you could write a series about, why did you choose a rooster?
To be honest, I was actually in a bit of a rut trying to come up with ideas until I came up with a rooster. I had gone through several other types of living beings, but a rooster felt like the perfect fit. When I was little, I actually had a rooster as a pet, so that may have influenced me. Once I had a rooster set as my protagonist, everything else came together quickly from there.
Are you someone who reads a lot of manga? If so what have you been reading lately?
I try to read everything that piques my interest, but I'm really enjoying Kaiju No. 8 and Dandadan lately.
