This Interview it recorded before Episodes 22 and 23 of EIGHTY-SIX are completed
What are your thoughts on the series now that production for cour 2 has concluded?
Ishii As this is my first time directing a TV series, I found it difficult to pace the highs/lows across the episodes and often just ended up going all out on every single episode instead. Especially in cour 2, I really had a hard time pacing the series and adapting to the situation.
Asato Its been on my mind since cour 1 and I think this has been quite the blessed adaptation. It stays true to the source material, but even when it does break away it does so in a way that is the result of understanding and treating the source material with care. For example, by adapting the epilogue of volume 1 in the 23rd episode it preserves the core idea of the source material. However, it also presents these scenes in ways that I had never imagined in the source material, surprising me with just how much the anime format can elevate the material. As a writer, I was able to learn a lot from this experience. Therefore, I sincerely wish for Director Ishii to direct the sequel to EIGHTY-SIX, though, I also would like to see him direct a non-sequel original series as well... As the author for the source material, I am quite conflicted (laughs).
Asato-san, which episodes or scenes made you want to see an original series from director Ishii?