Below is the script for the Interview with Yoshiaki Iwasaki from DVD release volume 3 of Love Hina (Madman/Australian version). The narrator spoke in English, while Iwasaki's statements were in Japanese and subbed (THANK GOD).
- Iwasaki:
- There is one path I have, in terms of how I want to create the show.
- The most difficult part is when I get various opinions and I can't organize them in my head.
- If the ideas fit s into my boundaries, I will incorporate it into the show.
- But if it doesn't fit, no matter how brilliant the idea is, I won't use it.
- Narrator:
- Iwasaki's dream of directing anime was shaped during his childhood days, watching the classic television series, Mobile Suit Gundam.
- Iwasaki:
- When I was a young boy, I didn't think too hard when I watched anime.
- But after seeing Gundam, how I watched anime changed.
- Narrator:
- So when Iwasaki was asked to work with Gundam creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino on the new series, Turn A Gundam, he jumped at the chance.
- Iwasaki:
- For the longest time, I definitely wanted to get involved in a project that was led by Mr. Tomino, the director of Gundam.
- So when I was offered this project, I immediately jumped on it.
- I learned many things from Mr. Tomino in terms of how to approach my work.
- Narrator:
- Those lessons have helped Iwasaki make Love Hina an international hit.
- Iwasaki:
- The sound and visuals in Japanese animation are beautiful.
- How intriguing the story is...
- Things like that, I feel, are being accepted all over the world.
- Narrator:
- From local anime stores to national conventions, Love Hina has found a loyal following in the United States.
- Iwasaki:
- The biggest difference, other than nationality, and differences in appearance is that the fans in the United States really love the title in itself.
- They really enjoy the series on a personal level.
- While you're in Japan, you can't get a grasp of the reality that goes on over there.
- I think it really is something to actually come here and see for yourself.
- Narrator:
- To create Love Hina's signature-looking style, Iwasaki used cutting-edge animation techniques.
- Instead of traditional cell drawings, the show is produced using computers and digital animation.
- Iwasaki:
- Right now is a time of change.
- Coloring and other things that used to be done by hand are now starting to turn digital.
- I think that's been ther most drastic change in the last dozen or so years
- There are still things that are hard to do on a digital medium.
- But as we continue to work for the next few years, things like that will create works that are even newer in concept than what we have now.