"YAIBA: True Samurai Legend" (Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV, Saturday 5:30 PM) is a new TV anime adaptation of Gosho Aoyama 's swordplay action manga "YAIBA," known for works such as " Detective Conan ." With Aoyama himself fully supervising the script, the masterpiece has been revived in the Reiwa era, roughly 30 years after its conclusion. Produced by WIT STUDIO, known for works such as " Attack on Titan" (Season 1-3) and "SPY×FAMILY," the anime has been garnering attention for its powerful action scenes and fast-paced storyline, reimagined for the Reiwa era. We spoke with series composer Doko Machida about the behind-the-scenes production, the appeal of the new series, and what to look forward to as the series approaches its climax.
◇ Pay close attention to avoid any confusion. Keep in mind Gosho Aoyama's script revisions.
--What is your impression of the original "YAIBA" and what do you find appealing about it?
It's a straightforward, classic shonen manga. In particular, there's Yaiba, who harbors a burning desire to become a true samurai, and Onimaru, who became a demon out of a desire for power, as well as the heroine Sayaka, who isn't just a cute girl but also exudes a strong, principled personality. I thought all three were very charming. The swordsmen Musashi, Kojiro, Jubei, and the enemy characters all have their own distinct personalities, and I thought the way Aoyama-sensei portrayed so many characters was impressive.
--The new TV anime is set in the present day, and the story order has been changed, giving the impression of a fast-paced development. What do you value and keep in mind when working on the series composition?
There are some parts of the original work that I rearranged slightly, so I was very careful to make sure the story, setting, and characters were consistent. On top of that, Aoyama-sensei supervised the scenario despite his busy schedule. I always tried to remember the corrections and use them for the next time. Also, when the scenario came back to me from the teacher, sometimes his ideas were written in, and even with illustrations! I was really impressed!
◇Nadeshiko's original development, behind the scenes of the Ganryujima episode. What will the final episode be like?
--Yamato Nadeshiko, who only appeared in one episode in the original work, becomes a companion to Hajime and travels with him, a development that is unique to the anime and has become a hot topic among fans. How did this development come about?
The idea for Nadeshiko was Director Takahiro Hasui's. As for the change in plot, when adapting a serialized manga into an anime, it's important to decide where to end the story and how to connect it to the next week, and we also wanted to introduce an appealing character as soon as possible.
-What episode that you wrote the script for made an impression on you?
All of them left a lasting impression on me, but I think the episodes on Ganryu Island (episodes 7 and 8) were the best, as they were brought forward. In the original work, the story takes place much later, so I focused on making sure there were no inconsistencies or unnaturalness in the story, starting with the blade sword. I also tried to make sure the dialogue in the original work was consistent with the characters, so that it didn't stand out.
--What are the moments when you feel joy and happiness during production?
It's the moment when you see the finished product after the script you wrote has been worked on by many staff members, with voice actors adding voices and sound staff adding music.
--What is the unique appeal of "Shin Samurai Den YAIBA"?
Above all, it's a passionate boys' manga with powerful swordplay. I think it's a work that will energize the children who watch it, and of course the adults too.
--Please tell us what to look forward to as we approach the climax.
Having finally obtained the Dragon God's Orb, Haibu faces off against Onimaru. What will be the outcome of the battle? And who is the new enemy that appears before the two?
