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THE YURI TIMES had the opportunity to interview Tamamushi Oku-sensei, the author of the manga I Don’t Know Which Is Love (Yen Press/hereinafter referred to as DoreKoi). This high-speed yuri comedy where “falling in love too much!” happens has become a hot topic among yuri enthusiasts. The English version has been released and it’s gaining attention overseas. In the second part of the interview, we’ll learn more about Tamamushi Oku-sensei, hear a message from her, and hold a giveaway for autographed shikishi boards and clear files!
▼インタビュー記事の日本語版はこちら▼
— How much time did it take to prepare the plan for “DoreKoi”?
I used to think anything would be fine for Comic Cune, but all my ideas got rejected, and I couldn’t start serializing for about six months. I told my editor, “Being a manga artist is tough, huh?” and they replied, “It’s normal” (laughs). Even with a unique setup, I could create an interesting story… But looking back now, I’m glad it turned out the way it did.
— Considering the amount of time you spent on the preparation, do you have a favorite character among them?
I do have one, but it wouldn’t be interesting if I told you (laughs). Since I’ve incorporated my ideal type into each character, I love them all, but there’s one character in particular, more like a romantic interest or admiration, whom I like. But I can’t say who it is! I might share it at some point in the future (laughs).
— The first volume ends at quite an intriguing point, doesn’t it?
I thought readers might enjoy the aspect of a love triangle, so in a service-oriented sense, I chose to end it at an intriguing point. Considering the enjoyment in the long run, I’m drawing this series with that in mind, so there’s a strategy behind it. Personally, I’m not a fan of it (laughs). But with volume releases, you end up reading and then realizing, “Now I have to wait another six months!” which can be tough. So, I prefer to read my favorite manga in monthly magazines whenever possible.
I love Milk Morinaga-sensei’s Girl Friends so much that when it was serialized bimonthly, I couldn’t wait and started drawing my own continuations. This happened multiple times, so it became great practice for drawing manga (laughs). I posted them on Pixiv, published doujinshi, and unexpectedly, when I started creating original works, they were well-received. It was around that time when I got a call from the editor at Manga Time Kirara Miracle, which led to my debut in commercial magazines.
— Since when did you start drawing manga?
I’ve been drawing pictures and manga since I was little, but I got into theater during high school. I continued doing theater throughout my university years and even after graduation. I was involved in theater every day, and I wasn’t drawing manga during that time. I’ve always loved the works of Kazuo Umezu since I was a child. When I started doing theater, I became a fan of Shuji Terayama, and I developed a liking for underground and dark themes. Until I discovered Milk Morinaga-sensei’s manga, I was into darker themes, but after reading Girl Friends, I felt purified and thought, “This is my favorite!”
Recently, various yuri works flow through social media, so I can explore the yuri genre. However, in the past, there were no social media platforms, so I didn’t know about yuri. I loved shonen manga, but I also liked works that had yuri-like elements. In shonen magazines, it’s usually all about boys, but when I started drawing girls, I thought, “This is my path in life! This is where I belong!” I hope yuri becomes even more widespread! Currently, there are still many yuri works where the person they fell in love with happened to be a girl, but I have an ideal of wanting to naturally portray girls romantically interested in other girls… So, I had Mei-chan declare, “I’m finding a girlfriend.” at the beginning of the first volume.
— We also love the scene in the opening color pages where Mei-chan declares, “I came to college just to find a girlfriend!!”
Mei-chan is just venting out her frustrations after a heartbreak, but it did take courage to depict her in this way. I was worried that readers might decrease if I portrayed her like this… But when I saw that this scene was well-received by international readers on X (Twitter), I realized that everyone, regardless of nationality, has similar thoughts about wanting to be popular. International readers express their thoughts so vividly, and I’d love to talk with people from other countries. They might think the author isn’t watching, but I am (laughs).
— In drawing manga, are there any particularly challenging aspects?
Everything, really (laughs). Before this interview, I was working, and I could only manage to draw about four panels. Even if the panels are small, it’s just as challenging. Occasionally, I get a little help, but basically, I don’t have assistants, and I draw everything by myself. I put a lot of effort into the rough drafts, so when I’m inking, I lose some emotional involvement; it feels like I’m transcribing something.
I do have themes I want to explore, like ordinary girls similar to myself naturally falling in love with other girls. But sometimes, I wish I could collaborate with others, like in theater. There are moments when I think about wanting to do things together with everyone. In anime production, with so many people involved, it can get difficult to coordinate, and yet, even in the midst of arguments, they can create incredible works. I find a certain beauty in that!
— Please give a message to all the fans!
I sometimes come across overseas fans analyzing and enjoying my work, and I really want to chat with them. I do feel a bit anxious about how they’re enjoying it, but if they’re experiencing the scenes and empathizing with the characters just like I do, that makes me incredibly happy. If that’s the case, then drawing this was definitely worth it. Let’s continue enjoying it together with ease and pleasure!
— Thank you, Tamamushi Oku-sensei, for taking the time for this interview despite your busy schedule! We’ll continue to look forward to Dorekoi in the future!
Gift giveaway
We will be giving away one original hand-drawn illustration shikishi by Tamamushi Oku-sensei, and one clear file of I Don’t Know Which Is Love signed by the author through a lottery.
Please fill out the necessary information in the form below and submit your entry. The winners will be contacted via email at a later date. (Application deadline: 12/25/2023, Japan Time)
＊＊＊The giveaway ended, thank you for your apply.
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In her final days of high school, Mei Soraike tried to confess her love to her best friend only to have her hopes crushed.
Determined to ”definitely get a girlfriend in college!”, she enters university with high spirits.
However, inexplicably, one girl after another starts coming into Mei’s life…!?
Profile – Tamamushi Oku
Debuted with Miyamori ♡ Typhoon in 2014. Notable works include Cheerful Amnesia (Yen Press) and participation in anthologies, as well as projects like Yuri-Drill. An acclaimed author active in various fields. Currently serializing I Don’t Know Which Is Love (Yen Press), with the first three volumes receiving rave reviews!
This interview was conducted in September 2023 at Yuri Cafe Anchor. Many thanks to Yuri Cafe Anchor for their cooperation.
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