# EIGHTY-SIX Author Interview: Asato Asato

> What were your initial reaction to receiving the anime adaptation offer?

**Asato** "Juggernaut action scenes are hard to imagine" were common feedback the novel had received and I thought that the flow of action would be conveyed better when animated, so I was really happy. On the flip side, the series is structured such that the female and male protagonists do not meet each other at all which had me worried as well. However, in my first meeting with Director Ishii, he insisted on adding certain directions to already difficult parts, making it even harder in the process. Upon hearing that, I was relieved and felt that I could trust them to do it right.

> I am sure that Asato-san had mental images of certain scenes and visuals while you wrote the novel. Did you shared these with the director?

**Asato** Nope, i did not share any of my mental images. I think that it is better to leave the visuals and direction to a professional like the director, so I refrained from interjecting.

> In that case, would you say that most of your involvement is with the script and character dialogue?

**Asato** Yes. I did not want core character aspects like word choice to be changed so I was extra thorough when supervising the script and left the visuals up to the directors.

> During your initial meetings with Main Writer Oono-san, specifically, what were somethings that was discussed and checked?

**Asato** When adapting a novel to an anime script, there are bound to be dialogues that have to be cut. So, we had many back and forths about which dialogues to cut and which to keep. I feel sorry for Oono-san having to sit through my rambles... *(laughs)*

> Was this done for every episode?

**Asato** Yes. Specifically the first 3 episodes of cour 1 took the most time, while the later half of cour 2 required incredibly specific adjustments made to the dialogue.

> Did you supervise the Mecha and Character designs?

**Asato** For Mecha design, I-IV-san was heavily involved and for Character design, there wasn't much for me to add. For example, the field jacket that the 86 wore not fitting them properly was more of a world building detail that I was happy to see it in the final product. In terms of design, teppy(the cat)'s design was really memorable, I am pretty sure whoever designed teppy must be a cat lover *(laughs)*.

> The racial traits were also shown clearly, weren't they.

**Asato** We wanted to make sure that the Republic being made up of people with the exact same eye and hair colors was on full display so much so that it feels almost a bit weird. Since it left an impression on many viewers, we had definitely acheived our goal here.

> Were you involved with the storyboarding?

**Asato** Yes. When Director ishii showed me the storyboard for episode 1, I was incredibly moved. Shin's expression in every scene was the same as what I had imagined. I was so happy that someone with such a deep understanding of the series is at the helm of this adaptation. I was really happy that Director Ishii was the one to do this.

> Did you participate in the dubbing sessions?

**Asato** I participated remotely to help mainly with pronounciation, directing and specifically fixing difficult to say lines. The rest was handled by the Director. While they are being given directions, it was clear that the Voice Actors(VA) had a firm grasp on their respective characters. For example, Shin's VA, Chiba-san was someone who gave his own input after reading the series himself, which really put me at ease.

> What did you think of Hasegawa　Ikumi-san, Lena's VA's, performance?

**Asato** Lena is the character that goes through the biggest change between episodes 1 and 11, going from a kind but unreliable girl to a firm and confident commander. Hasegawa-san was able to accurately portray the differing versions of Lena as she shifts between the commander and girl versions between scenes. Especailly her performance in the later half of cour 1, depicting the presence of a more confident Lena so accurately is amazing.

> Cour 1 of 86, the young boys and girls of the 86 were shown surviving the harsh environment while continuing to fight. What were some memorable scenes from the anime of cour 1?

**Asato** The concept of the 86 kids being more than just depressed all the time despite their circumstances was something I had in mind as I was writing the novels. Director Ishii was able to understand this from the text and put extra emphasis on the childish nature of the kids and them acting their age. Especially in the storyboard of episode 1, I could tell that Director-Ishii really likes Kurena. *(laughs)*

> Now that you mention it, Kurena was definitely more likable in the anime.

**Asato** She was made more sister-like, which was really cute. As for visuals, episode 10 really left an impression. Specifically the second of the episode which was told from the perspective of Fido. I thought this would be too difficult to pull one when I first read of it.

> So it would be difficult to tell a story from Fido's perspective?

**Asato** Since Fido only communicates through "Pi", I was wondering how it could be done at first. So I brought it up at the script meeting, but Director-Ishii assured me that it can be done. So I opted to retract my input and believe in the director who clearly has a vision in mind. As a result, episode 10 was absolutely brilliant. Its was something unique to the anime format.

> Including the music, the entire sequence was really effective.

**Asato** Just as the viewer begins to think "I think i like this character", "I would like to see more about this character", the scene cuts. The cuts are carefuly placed to leave the viewer with a wanting feeling and a stronger lingering impression. This is another thing that is unique to a visual medium.

> Would you say it took advantage of its medium?

**Asato** Yes. by the way, the content of Fido's memories in episode 10 includes content from volume 10 of the novels that I had shared with the director ahead of time.

> So the adaptation is made with awareness to what happens in the novel later as well?

**Asato** If the scene needs that information, I will share it with the director. For example, I had shared who the final boss of EIGHT-SIX is. However, this is not to say I will share all the details, just the bits thats needed for the anime.

> What kind of director do you think director Ishii is after working with him?

**Asato** A perfectionist that remains honest to the material. I had thought he didn't compromise much during the scripting process, but he compromised even less during animation production. On his storyboard, there were detailed notes on the reasons behind each direction and judging from that, he had absolutely thought of everything when creating each storyboard.

> It seems that while the focus is definitely mainly on the characters, the background are also rendered in a lot of detail as well.

**Asato** In the novels, the decriptions of nature was always written to leave as strong an impression as possible. Actually, during early stages of anime production, I was asked by the staff about why I had put in this much effort in describing nature and I explained my reasoning then. Which i think resulted in the anime having such memorable scenery as well.

> On the flip side, there are also many anime original moments. Specifically, the Shin vs Rei moment in episode 9 which Director Ishii had said that he put a lot of work into that scene.

**Asato** The scene in the novel was written from Shin's perspective and mainly explored Shin's emotions in that scene, but in the anime Rei's perspective and emotions were emphasized as well. Rei's perspective is comparatively sad but because there were heart warming moments as well, the scene turned out great. The novel will always be restricted by the specific character perspective that the story is told from, but the anime is able to take an objective point of view and show the different perspectives resulitng in a more effective presentation of the scene.

> So for example, in the conversation scene between Annette and Lena, who is the perspective you will usually write from?

**Asato** Usually I would end up firmly in a single perspective. By the way, Annette was written with no direction in mind until one specific scene in the novels. However, in the anime she was given much more characterization which made her more compelling, like all the suitors she get. *(laughs)*

> So the whole suitor detail was anime original huh.

**Asato** Yep. Oono-san brought up the idea to give her long list of suitors. I suggested that it shouldn't include anyone actually around her age, since she probably has a hard time developing feelings for anyone her age due to her memories of Shin. This is one of the ways that, having more people participating has allowed the characterization of characters to become sharper and better in this anime production.

> There were also other contrasting details like the 86 having tastier looking food while the San Magnolians eating artificial looking food.

**Asato** That is probably the detail that changed the most in this adaptation. In the novels, the 86 had way worse food so much so that they would describe the flavor as "plastic explosives". In the adaptation, the 86's hunting and gathering to make good food was made to seem like the norm by repeating and contrasting it with the artificial food that only looks great on the San magonolian side. This served to clue the viewer into seeing the Republic as more fake and filled with lies, which i think was a great change overall.

> What are your thoughts on the Mecha scenes created with CG?

**Asato** The Legion were more terrifying than I had imagined. Especially in episode 2, when the Legion shows up in such large numbers with the music syncing up with the sound design of the Legion perfectly. I was horrified at what I had created *(laughs)*. On the flip side, the shoddy juggernauts look like they are wobbly all the time even when piloted by Shin. All of these were accurate depictions to what I had imagined.

> The peakiness of the Juggernauts were really well shown.

**Asato** The juggernauts looking ok when moving in a straightline but then wobbles the moment it turns, is such a good detail to show how unweildy of Juggernauts are through its actions.

> What did you think about using music and sound effects to enhance the impact of the animation?

**Asato** The lead in to the ending theme for every episode is amazing. Thi adaptation manages to utilize both the opening and ending themes are incorporated into the direction of each episode. For example, I was in awe at how the ending was used in episode 3! As for sound effects, the Legion sounds in episode 5 had me almost throughing my earphones across the room because of how terrifying it was.

> Cour 2 has just begun airing, what are you looking forward to in it?

**Asato** First of all, I am really looking forward to seeing the Reginleif in action. Then, there is the final boss of the cour and specifically its action scenes are hard to imagine without seeing visually. Ontop of that, tthose scenes and the scenery were described in great detail in the novel, so I am looking forward to seeing how it gets shown in the adaptation.

> How about the characters?

**Asato** There is a terrifying scene for a new character, which has me wondering how it will be depicted. The storyboard for that scene was already horrifying enough, despite it not showing all the detail... I wonder how it will look like when completed. There are also many other horrifying scenes of other characters sprinkled throughout cour 2, so please do be on the look out for them as well.

> Thoughts on Frederica, who is also one of the new characters?

**Asato** Frederica really became cuter now that she has a voice, which is not to say her emperess voice isn't just right as well. I am alsso really looking forward to her performance in scenes that shows her weakness.

> Alright, now please share your overall thoughts on the anime.

**Asato** Despite the adaptation only covering part of Shin's characterization, I was a able to gain a deeper level of understanding of Shin's character through the various interpretation and opnions of the prodcution staff. For example, Chiba-san depicted Shin in such a tender way that it reminded me that Shin is still a very tender child.

> While heroic at times, Shin's expression is still very childlike as well.

**Asato** I agree. His expressions were nuanced, being both strong and tender at times which definitely made it more impactful.

> What are some things to look out for when rewatching after buying the Blueray or DVD?

**Asato** Look out for a specific color, you might notice something. Its a detail that was added with what happens both in the novels that have and have yet to be adapted in mind. Therefore, I think It would be great if Director ishii and the staff for this adaptation could continue to adapt the rest of the series. In volume 4 and 6 of the novel, the action scenes are even more exciting and the color contrast in them are amazing as well. Also there is a horrifying scene in volume 5 that I really want to see Director Ishii's rendition of it in anime form. I am certain that the viewers would agree with me on that, but first I wish for everyone to enjoy every rewatch of cour 2.

## About "Magical Girl Regina Lena", from Asato Asato
> **Asato** Since the Main series is ready for anime adaption I didn't want to complete the series by writing more novels, which was why I started this spin-off series. I intended for this to be a break away from the heavier content of the main series so I made it a magical girl series, but I still get feedback from readers that its still pretty heavy. Hey, at least no one is dying in it! *(laughs)* Please enjoy this series as well!

## Profile

#### Asato Asato, Novelist.
Took first place in 2016 at the 23rd Dengeki Novel Competition with "EIGHTY-SIX". EIGHTY-SIX began publication in 2017 and have 10 volumes out as of today.

###### tags: `EIGHTY-SIX`, `BD Interview`, `Asato Asato`