Artist and writer Takehiko Inoue, best known for his series Vagabond, Slam Dunk, and Real, has a surprising secret. He expressed dissatisfaction with his own art style. The mangaka’s work has worldwide readers for his unique brush strokes and details.
Yet, he sees a flaw he can not fix. His statement in a 2007 interview offers a glimpse into his mind. It shows that sometimes artists can be their own harshest critics. His honesty in this regard is both surprising and relatable.
The Restless Pursuit of Improvement
In the exclusive interview that was interpreted by VIZ Media via Mangasplaining Extra, Inoue says that maintaining the same artistic style over an extended period would be creatively stifling. Instead, he embraces change and uses his boredom to improve more. His approach has resulted from a progression in his art from his earlier works.
He exclaims:
I wouldn’t be able to say that it’s zero, that I have zero feelings of embarrassment. For some artwork that is coming out I feel, I prefer it not to be… So to be blunt at the beginning of Slam Dunk, my art was not as good as it is now.
His self-criticism highlights the double-edged nature of his artistic growth. He recognizes the improvement in his skills. But is also aware of what he perceives as shortcomings in his earlier work.
A Style Too Unique for Merchandise
Inoues’ restlessness is directly tied to his dissatisfaction with merchandise. Unlike many artists who license their creations for various products, he has a deep hesitation. His evolving art style standards have made it challenging to create merchandise that meets his expectations. So he prefers not to do it.
It explains why compared to other popular manga series, there isn’t as much merchandise available for Inoue’s work. This situation highlights how he prioritizes the integrity of his artistic vision over potential commercial opportunities. Although Slam Dunk remains extremely popular even many years after the anime ended, there is not much merchandise for it.
He stated:
The main issue I feel is my art style. It’s difficult to change my artwork into actual merchandise. For example, for Hanamichi [lead character of Slam Dunk], if something with his image was made into some kind of merchandise, if there was a slight difference to it… It’s no longer Hanamichi. So… I’m often not satisfied with the way things turn out with merchandise so I’d prefer not to do it.
When asked about Slam Dunk’s potential success in America, Inoue was optimistic:
I don’t think the numbers will be the same. Because in Japan, there are manga artists before me, who created the path, and created a deep culture of manga in Japan. They laid the path for me.
Inoue’s struggle with his art shows even great artists face doubts. Despite his concerns, his works continue to captivate the readers. His comments highlight the ongoing process of cultural exchange and adaptation as manga continues.
Slam Dunk is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
