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Planet With Creator Satoshi Mizukami Shares Thoughts on the First 7 Episodes
posted on by Kim Morrissy
Manga artist Satoshi Mizukami participated in an event at the Shinjuku LOFT/PLUS ONE on August 25 to discuss the episodes 1 to 7 of Planet With. He was joined by Mai Fuchigami, the ED song artist and the voice of Harumi Kumashiro; Kenji Nomura, the voice of Takashi Ryūzōji; Shonengahosha editor Takehiro Sumi; and Bandai Namco Arts producer Atsushi Yukawa.
Although Mizukami chose not to reveal too much of what he thought in case he let slip any spoilers, he did comment on certain aspects of the anime's production.
Note: Spoilers below for episode 1-7.
On the design of the enemy from episode 1, Mizukami said: “I did my best to make them look friendly and not intimidating as foes at all.” He mentioned that there are a bunch of outstretched hands (all of them left hands) underneath the enemy, indicating that it is trying to shake hands.
The scene in episode 2 where the protagonist Soya eats an anman, a steamed bun with a bean-jam filling (only to realize that it is not nikuman, a steamed bun with meat filling) inspired a lot of commentary. Fuchigami said that Atsushi Abe, the voice actor of Soya, insisted on doing multiple retakes of the scene. The scene is a personal favorite of Mizukami's as well. It is also present in the manga version, where Soya strikes the same defeated pose.
Fuchigami asked Mizukami how the colors for the Grand Paladin's Psychokinetic Photon Armor were decided. Mizukami responded that he left that all to the Psychokinetic Photon Armor designer Yasuyoshi Uetsu. The anime side requested that the Grand Paladin mech designs resemble Dogū, the humanoid and animal figurines made during the Jōmon period of prehistoric Japan.
Mizukami further revealed that it was nebula main machine designer Yoshitsune Izuna's idea to make the Sensei robot take strength-enhancing drugs in order to become more powerful. Izuna wanted to design Sensei like a ninja or samurai that is capable of doing powerups.
When Harumi goes berserk in episode 4, Mizukami commented that his own drawings of Harumi's excruciating expression could not surpass the anime's dynamism. “Somehow, my drawings of her ended up looking cuter,” he said.
About the climax in episode 6, Mizukami said, “I wanted to finish off this subplot in one episode. I wondered if I could pull it off.” The episode is very dense with new developments and content. He remarked that it was challenging to write but also very fun.
According to Mizukami, Shiraishi-san introduced in episode 7 looks the way she does because she influences the minds of those around her into seeing her a certain way. In other words, the viewer is under her influence too.
Mizukami concluded the talk by saying that he had packed a lot into the story of Planet With and hopes that fans will continue to enjoy it.
Planet With premiered on July 8 on Tokyo MX. The series is available to watch on Crunchyroll outside Asia with English (US), Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, Dutch, and Russian subtitles. Satoshi Mizukami is best known for drawing and writing the Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer and Spirit Circle manga. He is also drawing the manga version of Planet With, which is currently being published in Shonengahosha's Young King Ours magazine.
More English information on Planet With is posted on the Bandai Namco Arts Official English Facebook page.
